Job summary Optometrist Band 6 The Ophthalmology department provides a range of services (and extended roles) for patients of North Cumbria. We are looking for an Optometrist to join the team, working alongside fellow Orthoptists, Optometrists, Ophthalmic Consultants and Ophthalmology nursing teams. The post is based at Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle or West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven although travel to other Ophthalmology departments within the service is required. Voted one of the best places to live in the UK, North Cumbria houses the Lake District, one of the country's most outstanding places of natural beauty and the region is an attractive, largely rural area with access to good road, rail and air communications. Housing is relatively inexpensive and there are excellent state and private education establishments. All staff are expected to work to the Trust Values: Kindness - Kindness and compassion cost nothing, yet accomplish a great deal. Respect - We are respective to everyone and are open, honest and fair- respect behaviours. Ambition - We set goals to achieve the best for our patients, teams,organisations and our partners. Collaboration - We are stronger and better working together with and for our patients. Main duties of the job Provide services as an autonomous practitioner. To assess, diagnose and manage patients referred to the orthoptic department Determine the clinical diagnosis and develop treatment plans, discharge plans and make appropriate onward referrals to Ophthalmology or other health professionals This post will also involve Low Vision clinical work. Training will be provided The post covers Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle, West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven, Workington Community Hospital and peripheral clinics. Liaise with other professionals and colleagues as appropriate. About us At NCIC, we have an ambition to deliver outstanding healthcare services to the population of North Cumbria. The Trust is committed to creating a centre of excellence in providing rural and remote healthcare and provides a wide range of community and acute services throughout our county. Our 5 key principles demonstrate our belief in the delivery of 'safe, high quality care every time': Being a clinically led organisation Quality and safety at the heart of our Trust A positive patient experience every time A great place to work Managing our money well As an organisation we are serious about supporting a diverse workforce that reflects our local community and are very much focused on being an inclusive and compassionate place to work. Across the North East and North Cumbria we are working together to deliver our ambition to be the greenest region in England by 2030. All staff are expected to support sustainability. Date posted 16 September 2024 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 6 Salary £37,338 to £44,962 a year pa pro rata Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Part-time Reference number 262-A-24-6390119-A Job locations Cumberland Infirmary/West Cumberland Hospital Carlisle/Whitehaven CA2 7LL Job description Job responsibilities Please see attached job description and person specification for further information regarding the role and the essential and desirable criteria required to be met by applicants. Please note, due to changes implemented by the Government to the UK immigration policy, individuals who require a Health and Care Visa or a Skilled Worker Visa may no longer be eligible for sponsorship where the UKVI salary threshold is not met or if the occupation is not included in the updated Immigration Salary List (ISL). Applicants must check their eligibility to be employed in any role they are interested in applying for, prior to completing an application for employment.Any applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be progressed. If you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme or Armed Forces Covenant and you meet all the essential criteria for a post, you will be guaranteed an interview. Relocation assistance may be available for successful applicants moving to the region for certain posts. Please see our Policy for eligible vacancies. Please ensure that you document evidence of meeting all the essential criteria in the supporting information. If sufficient response is received this post could be closed earlier than the specified closing date, please apply as soon as possible to ensure that your application is considered. Important Information Candidates who have been successfully shortlisted for interview will be asked via an email notification to log on to their Trac account to select an interview time. This will usually be within 2 weeks of the closing date. For candidates applying using a Hotmail account or have strict firewall settings please ensure the following: Junk Mail is checked regularly Disclosure and Barring Service: On 28 November 2020, the new Disclosure and Barring Service filtering rules will come into effect. The changes mean that: youth cautions, reprimands and final warnings will no longer be subject to automatic disclosure the multiple conviction rule has been removed, meaning that if an individual has more than one conviction, regardless of offence type or time passed, each conviction will be considered against the remaining rules individually, rather than being automatically disclosed. If you are unsure about whether you need to disclose certain criminal record information, free confidential advice may be sought from one of the charity bodies listed below. These bodies can advise you on what you are legally required to declare and may also be able to advise you on how you can disclose criminal record information to a prospective employer and your legal rights when doing so. Nacro Tel: 0300 123 1999, or email: helplinenacro.org.uk Unlock Tel: 01634 247350, email adviceunlock.org.uk or complete the online form on the Unlock website The Trust is committed to safeguarding adults and children therefore if the post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended) the successful candidate(s) will be subject to a criminal records check with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The cost of the DBS must be met by the successful candidate(s) through salary deduction. DBS charges are as follows if applicable to the post: Standard Check: £18 Administration cost of £3.85 £21.85. Deducted at £6.85 from 1st month salary and £5 deducted from salary over following 3 months. Enhanced Check: £38 administration cost of £3.90 £41.90. Deducted at £11.90 from 1st month salary and £10 deducted from salary over following 3 months. As part of the one of the largest employers in the UK NCIC future employees will have also access to the following benefits. A lease car may be available for this position; further details will be provided upon appointment if applicable. 27-day holiday scheme rising to 33 after 10 years Flexible working Scheme Excellent opportunities for development Competitive NHS Pension scheme Access to NHS discounts with retailers and leisure companies EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) a free, confidential counselling and information service to assist with personal or work-related problems These schemes are subject to availability Job description Job responsibilities Please see attached job description and person specification for further information regarding the role and the essential and desirable criteria required to be met by applicants. Please note, due to changes implemented by the Government to the UK immigration policy, individuals who require a Health and Care Visa or a Skilled Worker Visa may no longer be eligible for sponsorship where the UKVI salary threshold is not met or if the occupation is not included in the updated Immigration Salary List (ISL). Applicants must check their eligibility to be employed in any role they are interested in applying for, prior to completing an application for employment.Any applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be progressed. If you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme or Armed Forces Covenant and you meet all the essential criteria for a post, you will be guaranteed an interview. Relocation assistance may be available for successful applicants moving to the region for certain posts. Please see our Policy for eligible vacancies. Please ensure that you document evidence of meeting all the essential criteria in the supporting information. If sufficient response is received this post could be closed earlier than the specified closing date, please apply as soon as possible to ensure that your application is considered. Important Information Candidates who have been successfully shortlisted for interview will be asked via an email notification to log on to their Trac account to select an interview time. This will usually be within 2 weeks of the closing date. For candidates applying using a Hotmail account or have strict firewall settings please ensure the following: Junk Mail is checked regularly Disclosure and Barring Service: On 28 November 2020, the new Disclosure and Barring Service filtering rules will come into effect. The changes mean that: youth cautions, reprimands and final warnings will no longer be subject to automatic disclosure the multiple conviction rule has been removed, meaning that if an individual has more than one conviction, regardless of offence type or time passed, each conviction will be considered against the remaining rules individually, rather than being automatically disclosed. If you are unsure about whether you need to disclose certain criminal record information, free confidential advice may be sought from one of the charity bodies listed below. These bodies can advise you on what you are legally required to declare and may also be able to advise you on how you can disclose criminal record information to a prospective employer and your legal rights when doing so. Nacro Tel: 0300 123 1999, or email: helplinenacro.org.uk Unlock Tel: 01634 247350, email adviceunlock.org.uk or complete the online form on the Unlock website The Trust is committed to safeguarding adults and children therefore if the post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended) the successful candidate(s) will be subject to a criminal records check with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The cost of the DBS must be met by the successful candidate(s) through salary deduction. DBS charges are as follows if applicable to the post: Standard Check: £18 Administration cost of £3.85 £21.85. Deducted at £6.85 from 1st month salary and £5 deducted from salary over following 3 months. Enhanced Check: £38 administration cost of £3.90 £41.90. Deducted at £11.90 from 1st month salary and £10 deducted from salary over following 3 months. As part of the one of the largest employers in the UK NCIC future employees will have also access to the following benefits. A lease car may be available for this position; further details will be provided upon appointment if applicable. 27-day holiday scheme rising to 33 after 10 years Flexible working Scheme Excellent opportunities for development Competitive NHS Pension scheme Access to NHS discounts with retailers and leisure companies EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) a free, confidential counselling and information service to assist with personal or work-related problems These schemes are subject to availability Person Specification Registration Essential GOC registration as a qualified Optometrist Qualifications Essential BSc (Hons) Optometry or equivalent Desirable 2:1 degree or better. Member of the College of Optometrists. Experience Essential Experience of working with visually impaired patients and those with learning disabilities. Experience in working with young children. Desirable Previous clinical experience in a hospital or other specialist setting. Experience working with children and adults with complex requirements. Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team Knowledge Essential Theoretical knowledge in a range of clinical areas including specialist contact lenses and complex refraction management. Knowledge and experience of clinical matters beyond direct clinical role (e.g. surgical techniques and management). Broad understanding of the optometry profession including primary / secondary care interface and NHS service provision. Knowledge of governance issues, in particular clinical audit. Skills and Aptitudes Essential Experience in contact lens fitting. Ability to undertake contact tonometry, binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy and slit lamp biomicroscopy. Ability to effectively communicate complex information in a range of situations e.g. clinical information to patients. Ability to effectively communicate where there are barriers to understanding e.g. young children, patients with learning disabilities and other sensory impairments. Ability to operate a range of complex ophthalmic instruments. Fine motor skills e.g. inserting contact lenses, performing contact examination techniques. Ability to independently assess and make clinical decisions. Advanced written communication skills. IT skills - use of Word, Excel. Databases Good verbal communication skills. Desirable Experience in specialist contact lens fitting. Ability to convey unwelcome / bad news in a sensitive manner. Other requirements Essential Effective organisation and time management skills. Flexible approach to working patterns. Ability to travel independently across sites. Highly motivated and enthusiastic. Desirable Full driving licence with access to a car. Person Specification Registration Essential GOC registration as a qualified Optometrist Qualifications Essential BSc (Hons) Optometry or equivalent Desirable 2:1 degree or better. Member of the College of Optometrists. Experience Essential Experience of working with visually impaired patients and those with learning disabilities. Experience in working with young children. Desirable Previous clinical experience in a hospital or other specialist setting. Experience working with children and adults with complex requirements. Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team Knowledge Essential Theoretical knowledge in a range of clinical areas including specialist contact lenses and complex refraction management. Knowledge and experience of clinical matters beyond direct clinical role (e.g. surgical techniques and management). Broad understanding of the optometry profession including primary / secondary care interface and NHS service provision. Knowledge of governance issues, in particular clinical audit. Skills and Aptitudes Essential Experience in contact lens fitting. Ability to undertake contact tonometry, binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy and slit lamp biomicroscopy. Ability to effectively communicate complex information in a range of situations e.g. clinical information to patients. Ability to effectively communicate where there are barriers to understanding e.g. young children, patients with learning disabilities and other sensory impairments. Ability to operate a range of complex ophthalmic instruments. Fine motor skills e.g. inserting contact lenses, performing contact examination techniques. Ability to independently assess and make clinical decisions. Advanced written communication skills. IT skills - use of Word, Excel. Databases Good verbal communication skills. Desirable Experience in specialist contact lens fitting. Ability to convey unwelcome / bad news in a sensitive manner. Other requirements Essential Effective organisation and time management skills. Flexible approach to working patterns. Ability to travel independently across sites. Highly motivated and enthusiastic. Desirable Full driving licence with access to a car. 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). 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. 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 North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust Address Cumberland Infirmary/West Cumberland Hospital Carlisle/Whitehaven CA2 7LL Employer's website https://www.ncic.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)