Band 5/6 Specialist Orthoptist

Job summary

We are pleased to offer an opportunity to combine a rewarding and exciting job in Orthoptics with an unrivalled lifestyle in the heart of one of the most beautiful areas of the country. With access to Dartmoor, local beaches and woodlands, Torbay and South Devon is picturesque and tranquil. There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy South Devon life in leisure time, including peaceful walks or taking up a new sport, whilst also being part of a supportive multi-disciplinary team in the workplace.

We are looking for an ambitious and motivated individual to join our newly revised and evolving service at Torbay Hospital. This job is an excellent opportunity for an Orthoptist wanting to gain experience working with a busy but dynamic team.

As a department we recognize that individual job satisfaction and achieving a healthy work/life balance is vital to maintaining a successful Orthoptic and Optometry team for the future, so please do come and look round and discuss how this role would suit you best.

Main duties of the job

• To provide a comprehensive and high quality Orthoptic service for patients referred to the Ophthalmology department.
• To be able to practice independently to ensure that each patient is seen professionally, efficiently, effectively and with a high standard of care. To work as part of a multidisciplinary team to assess patients, as inpatients or outpatients, from other specialisms.
• To use advanced clinical reasoning to administer suitable tests and form diagnoses. Also make judgements involving complicated facts to create a unique, evidence based treatment plan and gain informed consent.
• To assess patients pre-operatively and provide measurements on which surgery for ocular motility problems may be based.
• To instil dilating and cycloplegic drops for ophthalmic investigation in accordance with the medical exemptions and/or patient group direction in line with Trust drug policy.
• To explain, demonstrate and offer teaching of Orthoptic principles and procedures to junior medical staff, medical students, optometrists, health visitors, student nurses and health care professionals
• To be involved in, and contribute to, departmental clinical audit of issues.
• To attend an appraisal at least annually and to keep an updated professional personal development portfolio. To participate in mentorship programme and reflective practice.
• To contribute to the general running of the Orthoptic department.

About us

Why Work With Us

We are a forward thinking, ambitious and well supported department with a successful team of highly trained orthoptists and optometrists working in extended roles including:

Glaucoma

Medical retina

Diabetic retina

Cornea and anterior segment

Paediatric Ophthalmology

Stroke

Adults and Children with Learning difficulties

Low vision

Contact lens

Marfan's screening

Keratoconus / ectasia virtual monitoring

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (Torbay Hospital) is a busy, successful and progressive hospital located on the English Riviera, South Devon's beautiful bay which is surrounded by stunning coast and countryside. We are famous for our award-winning beaches and vast countryside waiting for you to explore. The cities of Exeter and Plymouth are also close by with access to all major cities via excellent rail links. Opportunities for outdoor activities both on and off the water abound, with easy access to the neighbouring centres of Plymouth and Exeter.