Job responsibilities
1. JOB DETAILS
Location Eye clinic, Level 04 Gledhow Wing, St Jamess University
Hospital (SJUH), Seacroft Hospital, Wharfedale General Hospital (WGH), Multi
Speciality Outpatients (MSO), Childrens Community Eye centre (CCEC) clinics
AfC Job No: 3503
2. JOB PURPOSE/SUMMARY
Advanced
Specialist Optometrists have the highest level of specialist clinical
training, knowledge, skills and experience within Hospital Eye Service
Optometry to provide disease treatment, patient care and management of both
optometric and specific ophthalmological caseloads.
The
role therefore demands the highest level of individual professional
responsibility within clinical optometry, exceeding that of both community
and more traditional hospital eye service optometrists both in terms of
breadth and depth of knowledge, skills and experience.
Advanced
Specialist Optometrists will be expected to demonstrate knowledge, skills,
training, competence and clinical experience in provision of high quality,
effective clinical patient care across a number of sub-specialist
ophthalmology areas. Individuals are expected to possess a range of relevant
post-graduate professional specialist qualifications at appointment (e.g.
Non- medical prescribing qualification, College of Optometrists Diploma in
Glaucoma; College of Optometrists higher qualification in Medical Retina
etc.) and be able to demonstrate training and experience consistent with
highly developed specialist knowledge across a range of sub-specialty areas
1. To work under the direction of the
Head and Deputy Head in order to deliver a comprehensive range of optometric
services to the highest standards of quality and care for patients of the
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and its outreach clinics.
2. To participate in the delivery of
certain specialist optometric services that meet the changing needs of the
Ophthalmology CSU and other external agencies.
3. Within a number of sub-specialist
areas of patient care, post holders will wherever possible, autonomously
deliver a wide range of advanced, specialised, complex and non-routine work,
with responsibility for patient examination and complex clinical decision
making, regarding on-going management/treatment of a number of
sight-threatening eye diseases. Advanced Specialist Optometrists may work
alone autonomously, or in a multidisciplinary environment alongside
Consultant Ophthalmologists where they can seek guidance (medical/surgical)
on the management of more complex cases.
Typically,
the post-holder will make decisions regarding initiation and review of
medical/pharmacological management and will be expected to understand and
manage the interface between medical and surgical management of eye disease.
4. To undertake administrative duties as
agreed with the Head and Deputy Head of Optometry
5. To undertake clinical audit as agreed
with the Head and Deputy Head of Optometry.
6. To assist in providing teaching and
training at post graduate level for multiple disciplines within ophthalmology
both internally and external
JOB
PLAN:
Job
plans (i.e. number of clinical sessions working in any given activity/clinic
type) will be determined for individual post-holders by the Head of Service.
Post-holders will be expected to work at SJUH or at peripheral clinic
locations. Job plans should be expected to vary according to specific service
requirements, will be reviewed periodically and may change over time.
Advanced Specialist Optometrists will be expected to undertake a variable
combination of the following clinical activities as the majority of their
timetabled sessions;
Anterior
segment/corneal; glaucoma clinics; medical retina clinics, vitreo retinal
clinics, neuro ophthalmology, acute referral clinics (eye casualty).
JOB
SUMMARY:
The
jobholder may be required to examine and manage up to eight eye patients a
session, in an enhanced role clinic. These might include acute referral
clinics (eye casualty), glaucoma, anterior segment/corneal, vitreo retinal
clinics, medical retina etc.
The
jobholder may be required to examine and manage up to eight paediatric
patients a session, in a Childrens Community Eye Clinic (CCEC) clinic.
The
jobholder may be required to examine and manage up to twelve paediatric
patients a session, in the joint orthoptic/optometry clinic.
The
jobholder may be required to examine and manage up to nine complex adult
refraction patients a session.
The
jobholder may be required to examine and manage up to six low vision or adult
contact lens patients a session.
The
jobholder may be required to examine and manage up to six paediatric contact
lenses a session.
3. ORGANISATIONAL CHART
4. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF
RESPONSIBILITY
DUTIES
Clinical Governance and Clinical
Audit
1. To undertake systematic and critical
analysis of the quality of care in the Optometry and Ophthalmology Department
(including diagnosis, treatment, outcomes and quality of life for patients)
as delegated by the Head and Deputy Head of Optometry.
2. To participate in clinical audit and
contribute to collaborative undertakings with other departments providing
ophthalmology services.
Managerial
1. To support optometry staff and be
responsible for the provision of optometry services in the absence of the
Head or Deputy Head of Optometry.
2. To work closely with the Head and
Deputy Head of Optometry to ensure professional standards are achieved and
maintained at all times, for the provision of highest quality hospital
optometry services.
3. To contribute to the planning and
organisation of a broad range of complex activities, some of which may be on
going, which require regular review.
4. To contribute to delivering income
generation and cost improvement programs.
5. To ensure the accurate collection of
appropriate data within the Department.
6. To work closely with the Head and
Deputy Head of Optometry in order to implement and encourage best practice
wherever possible. The post holder is guided by principles and broad
occupational policies, regulations and guidance provided by the Head and Deputy
Head of Optometry.
7. To work closely with the Head and
Deputy Head of Optometry in developing professional clinical performance and
audit these on a regular basis.
8. To maintain harmonious working
relationships and efficient communication with all staff throughout the CSU,
Trust and external agencies.
9. To contribute to operational planning
for the Optometry Department.
10. To contribute to ensuring that the
Optometry Department abides by all Trust corporate policies and that all
Health and Safety and COSHH regulations are complied with.
11. To supply accurate information to the
Head and Deputy Head of Optometry when requested in order to deal with
complaints at a departmental level.
Leadership
1. To assist the Head and Deputy Head of
Optometry in providing effective clinical leadership for the Department of
Optometry.
2. To assist the Head and Deputy Head of
Optometry in providing the vision and strategy to develop new services and
extend the roles of all professionals within the department.
3. To assist the Head and Deputy Head of
Optometry to effectively manage change in the implementation of new roles and
services.
Education and Development
1. To undertake teaching and training of
registered optometrists, pre-registration optometrists (including external
students), final year optometry students, orthoptic students and medical
students, as delegated by the Head and Deputy Head of Optometry.
2. To undertake optometric training of
post graduate medical staff (i.e. Surgical Trainees) in preparation for The
Royal College of Ophthalmologists examinations, as delegated by the Head and
Deputy Head of Optometry.
3. To assist with the supervision of the
Trusts pre-registration optometrists.
4. To participate in continuing
education and training (CET) as required by The General Optical Council (GOC)
and in continuing professional development. This is through approved study
leave procedures where necessary.
5. To maintain professional standards
using advanced theoretical and practical specialist knowledge acquired over a
significant period.
Clinical
1. To deliver highly specialist clinical
care in a range of ophthalmic sub-specialty clinical services involving
advanced optometric extended roles, including non-medical prescribing. A
personal clinical commitment to this service is required.
2. To provide expert optometric patient
care in complex refraction, medical contact lens fitting & aftercare,
paediatric orthoptic/optometry shared care and low vision rehabilitation as
required by the demands of the service.
3. To undertake enhanced optometric
roles at LTHT as required. These might include acute referral (eye casualty),
glaucoma, anterior segment, vitreo retinal and medical retina. Further
training and qualifications may be required for these roles.
4. To make patient-centred judgements on
management in the presence of uncertainty, for example where patients are
unable to cooperate fully in clinical assessments, or where evidence on
clinical management options is unclear or lacking.
5. To plan and deliver advanced
specialist clinical examinations tailored to individual patient requirements.
Examinations will be comprehensive and commensurate with clinical experience,
acting with guidance from national recommendations. Skills are commensurate
with those of sub-specialist trained (medical) ophthalmology staff.
6. To utilise highly developed physical
skills for complex medical procedures (such as gonioscopy; tonometry, removal
of sutures or embedded foreign bodies or taking tissue samples from the
surface of the eye) that often requires adopting an unusual or restrictive
body position.
7. To analyse, interpret and act upon
highly comp
