Job summary
Applications are invited from optometrists, orthoptists, and nurses to join the glaucoma service at University Hospitals Birmingham, working under the professional and clinical leadership of the Ophthalmology Consultants and Advanced Practitioners. The successful candidate will work both independently in glaucoma clinics and alongside the consultant ophthalmologists. Competency is required in a broad range of skills and the postholder will be expected to undertake a holistic assessment, interpret investigations, make treatment recommendations, and monitor disease progression. The post holder has responsibility for CPD, audit and role development in relation to the needs of the service and will promote excellence through expert clinical practice. They will act as a resource and role model to provide support, advice and supervision to new colleagues and junior staff. They will participate in the delivery of formal and informal teaching for ophthalmic and allied staff groups. The postholder will be supported by a team of ophthalmologists, health professionals and technicians and expected to maintain a high standard of care and professionalism. Training may be considered for suitable candidates with an incomplete set of competencies. Clinics run at Queen Elizabeth. Heartlands, Solihull, Good Hope Hospitals. There is an expectation for the successful candidate to work across all sites according to service need.
Main duties of the job
Provide expert evidenced -- based specialist assessment, diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and discharge of new and follow up patients within the glaucoma subspecialty. The post holder will plan and undertake specialist clinical assessments of patients referred to the ophthalmic service. This will include a clear and concise case history including discussion of their health and wellbeing. The clinical workload will be agreed with the line manager. The clinical assessment and management of risk related to their diagnosis is integral to the work.
To monitor, review progress and stop treatment in accordance with NICE guidelines, local policies or individual's clinical condition
Participate in Consultant led, CNS/SOP led and multidisciplinary clinics, patient reviews and multidisciplinary team meetings. The post holder will co-ordinate treatment independently or in conjunction with a wider multidisciplinary team. Undertake and provide treatment / advice as per their scope of practice. These may be face to face or virtual clinics and incorporate the use of agreed protocols clinical and professional guidelines.
Provide highly visible clinical presence demonstrating expert knowledge, high standards of clinical practice and provide support/ advice when necessary to patients, staff, families, and carers. Be accessible to patients, staff, families, and their carers' providing for advice and support
Support the professional development of others through supervision, assessment and role modelling.
About us
We are recognised as one of the leading NHS Foundation Trusts in the UK. Our vision is to Build Healthier Lives, and we recognise that we need incredible staff to do this.
Our commitment to our staff is to create the best place for them to work, and we are dedicated to:
Investing in the health and wellbeing of our staff, including a commitment of offering flexible working where we can;Offer our staff a wide variety of training and development opportunities, to support their personal and career development objectives.
UHB is committed to ensuring that our staff are treated fairly and feel that they belong, by creating a kind and inclusive environment. This is about equity of opportunity; removing all barriers, including discrimination and ensuring each individual member of staff reach their true potential, achieve their ambitions and thrive in their work. This is more than words. We are taking action. Our commitment to an inclusive culture is embedded at all levels of the organisation where every voice is heard, driven by our diverse and active staff networks, and at Board level by the Fairness Taskforce led by our CEO. We nurture a culture which empowers staff to challenge discriminatory behaviours and to enable people to bring their 'whole self' to a kinder, more connected and bold place to work.
University Hospitals Birmingham is a Smoke-Free premises hospital.
Job description
Job responsibilities
*Please Note : For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached Job Description*
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
1. Professional Registration (GOC, NMC, HCPC)
2. Evidence of post registration CPD / Post registration qualification ie: Glaucoma Level 1 (Professional Certificate) or equivalent experience with a commitment to undertake
Desirable
3. Non -- Medical Prescriber/ Supplementary prescriber / willingness to undertake - where applicable to the role
Experience
Essential
4. Significant experience working at band 6 level or equivalent as an Optometrist/Orthoptist/Registered Nurse within a background in treating patients with eye-related disorders and conditions
5. Evidence of the ability to revalidate /re-register as required by (GOC, NMC, HCPC)
6. Evidence of achievements and career development in current post and of ongoing professional development/ competence.
7. Demonstrate expert knowledge underpinned by theory and CPD relevant to speciality
8. Can demonstrate expert knowledge with an ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate specialist care delivered to patients and give advice and information to patients / relatives/ care staff
9. Experience and enthusiasm for developing educational programmes and teaching / assessing and supervising others in a clinical setting
10. Working in a multi-disciplinary and cross agency work environment
11. Knowledge of current evidence-based practice and ability to apply to service and policy development
12. Has understanding / experience of the principles of Safeguarding
13. Awareness of current research related to the speciality
14. Knowledge of corporate and clinical governance & can relate this to the role applied for
Desirable
15. Extensive experience of working autonomously at a specialist level in ophthalmology and in glaucoma
16. Experience of delivering change management both personally and as a facilitator
17. Experience in service development
18. Experience of patient service user advocacy role
19. Awareness of current relevant NHS policy context relating to the speciality
Additional Criteria
Essential
20. Ability to explain the requirement to balance clinical caseload
21. Good standard of written/spoken English
22. Ability to communicate with a wide range of health care professionals, on a variety of complex and sensitive issues which require persuasive and empathetic skills
23. Ability to communicate articulately and motivate others
24. Ability to work autonomously, manage / prioritise own workload, supervise / appraise and assess junior staff
25. Competent in a range of clinical skills including (but not inclusive of):
26. * Anterior segment examination using the slit lamp
27. * Goldman Tonometry
28. * Interpretation of ocular coherence topography
29. * Fundoscopy -use of condensing lens
30. * Visual field interpretation
31. Ability to work under pressure across competing priorities
32. Ability to undertake clinical audit, analyse information and develop robust measurable action plans to support improvement / change
33. Evidence of ability to compile reports and documents for internal / external communication
34. Ability to identify professional development needs
35. Ability to work as a core member of the multidisciplinary team
36. Ability to act on own initiative
37. Ability to travel regularly between all Trust sites and premises associated with the Trust and across the UK to attend meetings associated with the role as a Trust representative.
38. Ability to adapt behaviour to changing circumstances
39. Evidence of flexible and innovative approach to service delivery and development
40. Ability to work a varied shift pattern where required
Desirable
41. Competent in a range of clinical skills relevant to the specified post including
42. * Pachymetry
43. * Gonioscopy
44. Ability to use and navigate electronic patient records (Medisight)