Highly Specialist Optometrist

Job description

Job responsibilities

A Highly Specialist Optometrist is responsible for working in the contact lens service, responsible for the pre op assessment for cataract removal and deciding on appropriate lenses to insert and ongoing post op follow up.

Participate in uveitis screening clinics after competency training and induction, working to the national guidelines for children with JIA.

Provision of refraction and fundus examinations in orthoptic/optometry triage clinics and specialised ophthalmic clinics. Some of these may be held at The Ryegate Children's Centre or in special schools.

As a Highly Specialist Optometrist you will have experience and interest in paediatric assessment and treatment, good verbal and written communication skills with parents, children and all staff disciplines and be committed to child / family centred approaches.

Be accountable for the subjective or dilated refraction and ocular and fundus examination (i.e. examination using relevant binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy and other instrumentation) of children referred to the Department. This may be working alongside another Optometrist, Doctor or on an optometry-only session with the support of Orthoptists.

Be responsible for prescribing glasses in line with the childs orthoptic/ophthalmic management

Be responsible for detecting ocular abnormalities in children referred to the Department and take appropriate action for follow up or onward referral.

Provide support and advice to patients, parents and colleagues contacting the department concerning abnormal ocular conditions,

Provide support, and advice, concerning refractive errors and optical correction (i.e. spectacle and contact lens wear) to patients, parents and colleagues.

Attend occasional surgical theatre sessions in order to assist and support the Consultant Ophthalmologist if any children require refraction and fundus checks under anaesthetic, as well as during cataract removal.

Participate in research trials within the department.

Keep accurate records of assessment and prescriptions in the Medical Record and be aware of all relevant legislation and Trust policies.

Work closely with all members of the multi-disciplinary team, including administrative, nursing, medical and orthoptic disciplines to provide an integrated service.

Be aware of and involved in current trends in optometric work and introduce new ideas to promote high standards of evidence based patient care. Develop collaborative links, locally and nationally.

To be aware of issues surrounding Child Protection, reporting concerns to the Head Orthoptist /Lead Orthoptist and Child Protection Nurse Specialists and documenting appropriately.

Attend relevant courses both internal and external and share knowledge and skills with other members of the team as appropriate.

Participate in formal/informal teaching for other health care professionals within the multi-disciplinary team including nurses, orthoptists, junior doctors and orthoptic students.

For more information on the main responsibilities for this post, please refer to the job description and person specification.

Interview Date - Monday 19th October 2023

Inclusive Recruitment & Selection

We offer encouragement and active support to applicants with additional needs, including those from ethnic minorities, with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ+ community. If you wish to adjust any aspect of the recruitment process or wish to find out more about our recruitment & selection processes, please get in touch with our Recruitment Manager: Catherine.Gilbert7@nhs.net

We are currently reviewing our recruitment & selection process and are looking to make our job adverts more inclusive. This will support the long-term aim of Sheffield Childrens being a champion of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. If you have any ideas in how we can make our recruitment & selection process more inclusive, please get in touch with Catherine Gilbert at Catherine.Gilbert7@nhs.net

Trust Values

The Trust is committed to providing great quality patient care and keep children, young people and families at the heart of what we do by following our CARE values:

• Compassion leading by kindness and showing empathy, understanding and respect
• Accountability striving to do the right thing and owning responsibility
• Respect value differences, tackling inequality and fostering a culture of inclusion
• Excellence delivering a high-quality standard of care

Person Specification

Personal attributes

Essential

• Commitment to child/family centred approach and keen to work for SCH
• Demonstrates Trust values

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc Optics or Optometry
• Registration with the General Optical Council (GOC)

Desirable

• Additional relevant qualifications in paediatric eye care
• Membership, or Fellowship of the College of Optometrists
• Independent prescribing qualification or willing to do

Experience

Essential

• Experience as an Optometrist to gain the relevant experience with paediatric eye care
• Experience in complex contact lens fitting

Desirable

• Clinical experience in secondary healthcare
• Experience in paediatric contact lens service
• Research/Audit experience

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Personal development in clinical skills

Desirable

• Techniques for assessment of visually impaired children and children with special needs and disability

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Sheffield Children's Hospital

Western Bank

Sheffield

S10 2TH

Employer's website

https://www.sheffieldchildrens.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)