Job summary
We are looking to employ an Ophthalmic practitioner to cover maternity leave to conduct glaucoma and cataract assessments. We are a friendly department with 5 Ophthalmic Practitioners in our ophthalmic department. Applications are welcome from Optometrists, Orthoptists and Nurses.
The main duty will be glaucoma assessments and pre/post cataract assessments with possible scope for additional clinics depending on the individual and service needs
The roles currently filled by Ophthalmic Practitioners include glaucoma clinics, cataract clinics, urgent referral clinics, minor ops and intra-vitreal injections. A previous Ophthalmic Practitioner post holder also performed YAG capsulotomy.
The department is open 5 days a week, with some evening clinics and covers more than one site. The post is 37.5 hours per week with the hours to be completed within the hours, and at the locations, the department is open.
This vacancy is open to all internal candidates. NHS Employees should ideally secure their manager's agreement for a secondment arrangement ideally prior to applying, as this will be a condition of any offer made. This vacancy is advertised on a fixed term basis as it has been established to provide maternity cover for 12 months from February 2024 - February 2025 or until the substantive post holder returns. Whilst this post is advertised on an acting / secondment basis it could potentially become permanent in the future.
Previous applicants need not apply
Main duties of the job
To perform glaucoma and cataract Clinics. To deliver a comprehensive range of Ophthalmic Specialist services to meet the needs of the Ophthalmology Department This is intending to be a wide ranging post, with scope for development, but still providing core specialist services.
This role is very popular with the post holders as it gives a real opportunity for enthusiastic and competent individuals to develop their role and career in a variedmanner.
About us
Choose Well - Choose WWL
Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are the proud providers of acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, we value our staff believing that 'happy staff, makes for happy patients'. We have a recognised track record in staff engagement, and living our values 'the WWL Way'.
WWL are committed to placing the patient at the heart of everything we do, and in the provision of safe, effective care that acknowledges and ensures dignity. With this in mind we are seeking to recruit people who share our values and beliefs.
On-Call
Please note that senior positions (AFC band 8A or above) may be expected to participate in an on-call rota, if the role is predominantly operational.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To work within the developed, generic ophthalmic ophthalmic practitioner role. To carry out a full ophthalmic examination on a variety of conditions, including assessing the patients physical and social well-being
- To assess and manage patients with retinal and macular conditions, including intravitreal injections
- To assess, diagnose and manage, including listing for surgery, new cataract referrals
- To assess, diagnose and manage new glaucoma referrals
- To monitor patients with diagnosed glaucoma
- To assess diagnose and manage new patients with lid problems, possibly including minor surgery and/or Botulinum toxin injections.
- To assess and manage patients with Diabetic Retinopathy
- To assess and manage Ophthalmic patients attending the URC
- To perform visual acuity and instil eye drops as appropriate
- To continue to provide services related to main qualification
- To assess and manage Ophthalmic patients post operatively, including discharge
- To be aware of the requirement to refer to medical colleagues for further advice and treatment as appropriate
- To use specialist skills and knowledge in the diagnosis and management of complex cases involving (for example) keratometry, biometry, focimetry, auto refraction, visual fields, slit lamp ophthalmoscopy and applanation tonometry, refraction, full orthoptic assessment
- To counsel patients and relatives regarding ophthalmic surgery and the type of anaesthetic required
- To obtain informed consent, in accordance with Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh NHS Foundation Trust policy
- To ensure patients are added to the waiting list in accordance with Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh NHS Foundation Trust policy
- To give advice on preoperative diagnostic tests such as ECG, blood tests and X-ray, and organise as appropriate
- To alter the treatment pathway where appropriate. This may be after any necessary consultation with medical staff
- To report any abnormal findings to the relevant consultant team
- To ensure that patients come to no harm, that accidents are avoided, and any precipitating cause is anticipated and remedied
- To attend as appropriate any site that the department may utilise to fulfil its duties
- To report accidents and incidents in the prescribed manner
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To work within the developed, generic ophthalmic ophthalmic practitioner role. To carry out a full ophthalmic examination on a variety of conditions, including assessing the patients physical and social well-being
- To assess and manage patients with retinal and macular conditions, including intravitreal injections
- To assess, diagnose and manage, including listing for surgery, new cataract referrals
- To assess, diagnose and manage new glaucoma referrals
- To monitor patients with diagnosed glaucoma
- To assess diagnose and manage new patients with lid problems, possibly including minor surgery and/or Botulinum toxin injections.
- To assess and manage patients with Diabetic Retinopathy
- To assess and manage Ophthalmic patients attending the URC
- To perform visual acuity and instil eye drops as appropriate
- To continue to provide services related to main qualification
- To assess and manage Ophthalmic patients post operatively, including discharge
- To be aware of the requirement to refer to medical colleagues for further advice and treatment as appropriate
- To use specialist skills and knowledge in the diagnosis and management of complex cases involving (for example) keratometry, biometry, focimetry, auto refraction, visual fields, slit lamp ophthalmoscopy and applanation tonometry, refraction, full orthoptic assessment
- To counsel patients and relatives regarding ophthalmic surgery and the type of anaesthetic required
- To obtain informed consent, in accordance with Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh NHS Foundation Trust policy
- To ensure patients are added to the waiting list in accordance with Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh NHS Foundation Trust policy
- To give advice on preoperative diagnostic tests such as ECG, blood tests and X-ray, and organise as appropriate
- To alter the treatment pathway where appropriate. This may be after any necessary consultation with medical staff
- To report any abnormal findings to the relevant consultant team
- To ensure that patients come to no harm, that accidents are avoided, and any precipitating cause is anticipated and remedied
- To attend as appropriate any site that the department may utilise to fulfil its duties
- To report accidents and incidents in the prescribed manner
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Professional qualification appropriate to speciality - for example: 1st level Registered Nurse, registered Optometrist, registered Orthoptist
- Evidence of post qualification study in ophthalmology
Desirable
- Non-medical prescribing certificate Teaching qualification
- Glaucoma Qualification
- Intravitreal Injection Qualification
Skills
Essential
- Appropriate to specialty -for example: Slit lamp ophthalmoscopy Goldmann Applanation tonometry Cataract assessment, Intravitreal injections Cycloplegic refractions in children Full Orthoptic assessment skills
Experience
Essential
- Post registration experience
- Proven ability to apply evidence- based knowledge to practice
- Evidence of professional development since qualification
- Understanding of procedures required for ophthalmological care.
- Aware of Health and Safety issues.
- Awareness of risk management.
- Knowledge of the scope of professional practice
Desirable
- Clinical Audit
- Clinical Experience as Ophthalmic Practitioner
- Experience in Intravitreal Injections
Knowledge
Essential
- Interpretation of ophthalmology investigations inc, ophthalmoscopy, OCT, Visual fields, FFA,
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Professional qualification appropriate to speciality - for example: 1st level Registered Nurse, registered Optometrist, registered Orthoptist
- Evidence of post qualification study in ophthalmology
Desirable
- Non-medical prescribing certificate Teaching qualification
- Glaucoma Qualification
- Intravitreal Injection Qualification
Skills
Essential
- Appropriate to specialty -for example: Slit lamp ophthalmoscopy Goldmann Applanation tonometry Cataract assessment, Intravitreal injections Cycloplegic refractions in children Full Orthoptic assessment skills
Experience
Essential
- Post registration experience
- Proven ability to apply evidence- based knowledge to practice
- Evidence of professional development since qualification
- Understanding of procedures required for ophthalmological care.
- Aware of Health and Safety issues.
- Awareness of risk management.
- Knowledge of the scope of professional practice
Desirable
- Clinical Audit
- Clinical Experience as Ophthalmic Practitioner
- Experience in Intravitreal Injections
Knowledge
Essential
- Interpretation of ophthalmology investigations inc, ophthalmoscopy, OCT, Visual fields, FFA,
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
