Band 6 Orthoptist
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated Band 6 Orthoptist to join our friendly team of 4 Orthoptists, 10 Ophthalmologists, and 4 Ophthalmic technicians. This is a permanent full-time post. The department is based at Northampton General Hospital, but we do run some single-handed clinics at Danetre Hospital.
The successful applicant must have experience of working in Orthoptics and be able to work well in a high-pressure environment delivering all aspects of orthoptic care.
The department regularly participates in the training of various health professionals to include undergraduate orthoptists, pre-reg Optometrists, junior doctors, and nurses, so an interest in or experience of work as a clinical trainer would be an advantage.
The successful applicant must hold a degree or diploma in Orthoptics and be registered with HCPC.
Main Duties of the Job
1. To assess, diagnose, and manage all patients referred to the Orthoptic department as an autonomous practitioner.
2. To contribute to a comprehensive quality Orthoptic service for all patients referred to the Orthoptic department.
3. To work as an active member of the eye care and multi-disciplinary team.
About Us
Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area, and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.
Our Excellence Values:
* Compassion
* Accountability
* Respect
* Integrity
* Courage
We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.
We are a Defence positive trust, supporting our reservists, veterans, spouses, and partners.
The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled, and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.
We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative. We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.
Job Responsibilities
1. To assess, diagnose, and manage all patients referred to the orthoptic department, including children and adults with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, neurological, maxilla-facial, and endocrine problems, stroke patients, glaucoma patients, Downs syndrome patients, and children from the child development centre.
2. To be responsible for patients undergoing orthoptic treatment as inpatients or outpatients.
3. To liaise with the Head Orthoptist regarding problems arising.
4. To assess and diagnose new patients and develop and manage a specialised treatment package appropriate to the needs of the individual patient adhering to national and local guidelines.
5. To instruct and negotiate the implementation of the care package with individual patients and their carers to ensure compliance, overcoming any barriers to understanding.
6. To provide motivational support for patients and parents undergoing prolonged and difficult treatments.
7. To carry out appropriate visual field testing on patients referred by the Ophthalmologists, Neurologists, and other medical practitioners within the hospital and to provide feedback and where required a summary of the results obtained.
8. To carry out HRT II (Heidelberg Retinal Topography) visual field testing, OCTs, and measure IOPs as part of the glaucoma monitoring service.
9. To take part in clinical audit.
10. To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of techniques and technology and to attend appropriate training as part of our CPD (continuing professional development) and to be responsible for maintaining your own CPD folder.
11. To be responsible for managing and incorporating any unplanned workload in such a way as to minimise inconvenience to patients and maximise the smooth running of the Orthoptic and eye clinics.
12. As an autonomous practitioner, the post-holder will be responsible for the decision to instil drops for diagnostic and refraction purposes, the appropriate strength required, and to advise patients of the side effects.
13. To undertake pre- and post-operative measurements of motility defects. Significant manual dexterity and speed will be required to ensure accurate results especially in infants having eye surgery. Surgery will be based on the Orthoptic measurements.
14. To discuss surgical options with the surgeon.
15. To assist the surgeon in post-operative adjustable suture techniques. This requires accurate measurement to assist the surgeon with ocular alignment whilst the patient is under local anaesthesia.
16. To identify surgical risks (pre and post-surgery) and to discuss these with the patients (parents/carers) and surgeon.
17. To assess patients' post-operative outcomes and modify treatment accordingly.
18. To work as part of a multi-disciplinary team consisting of Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Orthoptists, Ophthalmic technicians, Nurses, and Clerks, etc.
19. To assist and provide internal cover for colleagues during periods of annual leave, sickness, and vacancies.
20. To utilise a range of verbal and non-verbal (e.g., Makaton sign language) mechanisms in the assessment and communication of treatment plans to patients and parents to progress visual improvement. This will include patients who may have difficulties in understanding (e.g., stroke victims, patients with a learning disability).
21. To be aware of barriers to communication and be able to overcome them effectively, for example: learning disabled parents where English is not the first language with patients with expressive language difficulties (stroke victims).
22. To tactfully explain the details of the medical condition which may be highly complex. This requires a holistic and tactful approach where patients or parents have no knowledge of the ocular defects associated with particular medical conditions and/or who have difficulty accepting the diagnosis.
23. To communicate initial potential diagnosis which may be of a distressing nature.
24. To participate in clinical teaching to a wide range of professionals.
Person Specification
Education, Training and Qualifications
Essential
* Educated to degree level or equivalent level in orthoptics.
* Registered with HCPC.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
* Understand a complex range of orthoptic practice and procedures.
* Worked successfully as part of a multidisciplinary team and as an individual.
Skills
Essential
* Good communication skills.
* Must be able to work effectively in a team environment.
* Must be self-motivated and have the ability to analyse clinical data and formulate management plans.
* Moving and transferring patients.
* Stretching over the patients to manipulate orthoptic equipment.
* Crawling on the floor to assess young children.
* Dealing with angry upset patients in a non-confrontational manner.
* Ability to undertake administrative duties as appropriate.
Employer Details
Employer Name
Northampton General Hospital
Address
Northampton General Hospital
Cliftonville
Northampton
NN1 5BD
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265-6926097
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