Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Ophthalmology Team at Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust as a Specialist Optometrist
The postholder will be a compassionate, accountable individual who treats all colleagues, patients and service users with respect and seeks to deliver excellence in their role. They will share the Trust values and be committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.
The postholder will be a key member of the Ophthalmology Team, who provide paediatric eye care in Sheffield and across the region. We are a fantastic team, who work with paediatric specialities within the Trust. The Ophthalmology Service drives forward service improvements, are highly family centred in their approaches and are a fantastic team, who care for and look after each other
The position offers the opportunity to work in orthoptic/optometry clinics and specialised ophthalmic clinics including SEN clinics at The Ryegate Children's Centre providing refraction and fundus examinations. You may be required to attend surgical theatre sessions in order to assist and support the Consultant Ophthalmologist if any children require refraction and fundus checks under anaesthetic.
The post may be worked at Sheffield Children's Hospital or another Trust location.
As a Specialist Optometrist you will have experience and interest in paediatric assessment and treatment and be committed to child / family centred approaches.
Main duties of the job
A Specialist Optometrist is responsible for working in orthoptic/optometry triage clinics and specialised ophthalmic clinics providing refraction and fundus examinations (training in the use of the indirect ophthalmoscope and other techniques available).
Prescription of glasses, working under the hospital eye service and local protocols.
You will have good verbal and written communication skills with parents, children and all staff disciplines and be committed to child / family centred approaches as part of a specialist Children's NHS Trust.
About us
Sheffield Children's is one of three independent, specialist paediatric hospitals in the country, providing dedicated healthcare for children and young people across community, mental health and acute specialist settings.
We have three overarching aims that set the direction for the Trust in our vision "to create a healthier future for children and young people."
- Outstanding patient care
- Brilliant place to work
- Leader in children's health
Our commitment to rewarding colleagues is demonstrated through our brilliant reward and benefits offer including; generous annual leave entitlement and pension scheme and access to salary sacrifice schemes such as cycle to work and lease cars.
We are committed to supporting colleagues from different heritages and lifestyles while at work. This is supported through the offer we have in place for flexible working and the three equality network groups we have in place. Colleagues are encouraged to join these groups and request flexible working.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Be accountable for the subjective or dilated refraction and ocular and fundus examination (i.e. examine the structures of the eye, 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 and hospital eye service and local protocols.
Be responsible for detecting ocular abnormalities in children referred to the Department and take appropriate action for follow up or onward referral including requesting ophthalmic imaging on site.
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.
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 and Safeguarding, reporting concerns to the Head Orthoptist /Lead Orthoptist and Safeguarding 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.
For an informal chat about this role, please contact Julia Ennis Head Orthoptist or Olympia Haralambous Principal Optometrist 0114 271 7468
Interviews are scheduled to take place on Thursday 11th January 2024.
Inclusive Recruitment & Selection
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and accurate data capture is an important part of that to ensure we are supportive and representative. Our aim is to ensure that all applicants can see themselves in the available categories on our application form, but we recognise that some of our data capture fields are not inclusive. We have flagged this with our system provider to ask for change.
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 continually reviewing our recruitment & selection process to support the long-term aim of Sheffield Childrens being a champion of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion. If you have any ideas for improvement, 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
Job description
Job responsibilities
Be accountable for the subjective or dilated refraction and ocular and fundus examination (i.e. examine the structures of the eye, 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 and hospital eye service and local protocols.
Be responsible for detecting ocular abnormalities in children referred to the Department and take appropriate action for follow up or onward referral including requesting ophthalmic imaging on site.
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.
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 and Safeguarding, reporting concerns to the Head Orthoptist /Lead Orthoptist and Safeguarding 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.
For an informal chat about this role, please contact Julia Ennis Head Orthoptist or Olympia Haralambous Principal Optometrist 0114 271 7468
Interviews are scheduled to take place on Thursday 11th January 2024.
Inclusive Recruitment & Selection
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and accurate data capture is an important part of that to ensure we are supportive and representative. Our aim is to ensure that all applicants can see themselves in the available categories on our application form, but we recognise that some of our data capture fields are not inclusive. We have flagged this with our system provider to ask for change.
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 continually reviewing our recruitment & selection process to support the long-term aim of Sheffield Childrens being a champion of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion. If you have any ideas for improvement, 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
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- BSc Optics
- Evidence of CPD
- Registration with the General Optical Council (GOC)
Desirable
- Membership, or Fellowship of the College of Optometrists
Experience
Essential
- At least 3 years' full time practice as an Optometrist.
- Experience and interest in paediatric assessment and treatment
Desirable
- Experience in using indirect ophthalmoscope.
- Clinical experience in secondary healthcare
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Good verbal and written communication skills with parents, children and all staff disciplines
Desirable
- Techniques for assessment of visually impaired children
- Techniques for assessment of children with special needs and disability
Personal attributes
Essential
- Commitment to child / family centred approach
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- BSc Optics
- Evidence of CPD
- Registration with the General Optical Council (GOC)
Desirable
- Membership, or Fellowship of the College of Optometrists
Experience
Essential
- At least 3 years' full time practice as an Optometrist.
- Experience and interest in paediatric assessment and treatment
Desirable
- Experience in using indirect ophthalmoscope.
- Clinical experience in secondary healthcare
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Good verbal and written communication skills with parents, children and all staff disciplines
Desirable
- Techniques for assessment of visually impaired children
- Techniques for assessment of children with special needs and disability
Personal attributes
Essential
- Commitment to child / family centred approach
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).
