Job summary
You must be a registered Optometrist responsible for providing optometric services and enhanced roles for the delivery of high standards of clinical care to patients.
They will work as part of a multidisciplinary team in enhanced clinical roles in areas such as glaucoma, medical retina, cataract, and A&E clinics. They will demonstrate a high level of clinical competence in the specialty and be expected to develop their skills and understanding in line with current evidence-based knowledge and training.
You will work under the guidance of the clinical lead and use evidence-based management to deliver clinical excellence.
You will work closely with other disciplines and the post holder may be required to rotate into other areas within ophthalmology, based on the service need. You will be actively involved in clinical audit and research and will be expected to undertake local training specific to their role.
You will also be expected to participate in developing the Optometry Department's role in co-managed care to meet the challenges within the Ophthalmology services.
Main duties of the job
To undertake highly specialist clinical activity requiring extensive knowledge, experience and expertise in the area of but not limited to paediatric, glaucoma, cataract, medical retina and A&E specialisms. To ensure the best use of available resources to provide efficient and effective delivery of ophthalmology services in line with best practice and quality standards, ensuring a comprehensive and equitable service that is responsive to changing needs.
About us
The Ophthalmology department at Lancashire Teaching hospitals is a dynamic, progressive service which is based across 2 sites (Royal Preston Hospital and Chorley District Hospital). Our primary location is the newly opened Lancashire Eye Centre situated in Chorley District Hospital. The Centre was funded through an £18 million investment and comprises a 3 storey build with modern, state of the art outpatient and day case facilities on one site. There are over 20 consult rooms in outpatients and 3 modern spacious theatres. The unit is equipped with modern diagnostic facilities and infrastructure to provide high quality care.
As part of the service expansion, an additional 40 support staff were recruited including ophthalmic technicians, administrative and nursing staff.
The service prides itself on the high standards of our clinical team. We employ 8 optometrists, 12 consultant ophthalmologists as well as many junior doctors and specialist nurses.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Able to undertake a detailed medical and ophthalmic case history of patients of varying ages and diagnoses.
Uses highly developed manual dexterity and hand/eye coordination to perform detailed observations using a variety of optometric and ophthalmic techniques, demonstrating the correct selection and use of a range of clinical appliances; updating own competency as the need arises.
Demonstrates the ability to examine and assess the anterior and posterior eye, including lids/lashes, conjunctiva, cornea, anterior chamber, van Herrick grading, gonioscopy, iris, lens, vitreous and posterior pole.
Able to measure intraocular pressure (IOP) using Goldmann applanation tonometry, and has an understanding of common errors and factors that may occur that can affect the accuracy of IOP measurements.
Demonstrates the ability to examine the retina and optic nerve head using binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy on the slit lamp and has an understanding that will facilitate identifying changes in retinopathy and vitreoretinal eye diseases and assesses for progression as necessary.
Assess patients post operatively as required in their role.
Demonstrates an ability to perform, interpret, monitor and understand the significance of the investigations that are required in glaucoma/OHT patients: eg. pachymetry, optical coherance tomography and visual field testing.
List and council patients appropriately for simple laser procedures and surgical procedures.
Able to perform accurate eye examinations and refractions on patients, including paediatrics, documenting these findings, prescribing glasses as needed and arranging onward referral and follow up treatment with self and/or others.
Responsible for the ordering and maintenance of stock required within the optometric clinics as required.
To be an integrated member of the MDT Team, working under the direction of the consultant ophthalmologist / lead optometrist in reviewing and updating existing service guidelines, policies, procedures and care pathways related to optometric/ophthalmology clinics and developing new guidelines, policies, procedures and care pathways.
To maintain audit databases, participate in and produce audit reports as required.
To participate in research and development within the department as required.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Able to undertake a detailed medical and ophthalmic case history of patients of varying ages and diagnoses.
Uses highly developed manual dexterity and hand/eye coordination to perform detailed observations using a variety of optometric and ophthalmic techniques, demonstrating the correct selection and use of a range of clinical appliances; updating own competency as the need arises.
Demonstrates the ability to examine and assess the anterior and posterior eye, including lids/lashes, conjunctiva, cornea, anterior chamber, van Herrick grading, gonioscopy, iris, lens, vitreous and posterior pole.
Able to measure intraocular pressure (IOP) using Goldmann applanation tonometry, and has an understanding of common errors and factors that may occur that can affect the accuracy of IOP measurements.
Demonstrates the ability to examine the retina and optic nerve head using binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy on the slit lamp and has an understanding that will facilitate identifying changes in retinopathy and vitreoretinal eye diseases and assesses for progression as necessary.
Assess patients post operatively as required in their role.
Demonstrates an ability to perform, interpret, monitor and understand the significance of the investigations that are required in glaucoma/OHT patients: eg. pachymetry, optical coherance tomography and visual field testing.
List and council patients appropriately for simple laser procedures and surgical procedures.
Able to perform accurate eye examinations and refractions on patients, including paediatrics, documenting these findings, prescribing glasses as needed and arranging onward referral and follow up treatment with self and/or others.
Responsible for the ordering and maintenance of stock required within the optometric clinics as required.
To be an integrated member of the MDT Team, working under the direction of the consultant ophthalmologist / lead optometrist in reviewing and updating existing service guidelines, policies, procedures and care pathways related to optometric/ophthalmology clinics and developing new guidelines, policies, procedures and care pathways.
To maintain audit databases, participate in and produce audit reports as required.
To participate in research and development within the department as required.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential
- oBSc (Hons) in Optometry
- oRegistered with GOC
Desirable
- oPrevious hospital eye service experience
- oCollege of Optometrists postgraduate qualifications
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- oExperience of specialist practice
- oKnowledge of the role and structure of hospital eye services.
- oAbility to independently assess and make clinical decisions
- o2+ years postgraduate clinical experience
Desirable
- oPrevious experience of clinical teaching, supervision or staff training
- oResearch experience
- oUndertaken advanced clinical training through continuing professional development.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential
- oBSc (Hons) in Optometry
- oRegistered with GOC
Desirable
- oPrevious hospital eye service experience
- oCollege of Optometrists postgraduate qualifications
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- oExperience of specialist practice
- oKnowledge of the role and structure of hospital eye services.
- oAbility to independently assess and make clinical decisions
- o2+ years postgraduate clinical experience
Desirable
- oPrevious experience of clinical teaching, supervision or staff training
- oResearch experience
- oUndertaken advanced clinical training through continuing professional development.
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).
