County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
The Orthoptic and Optometry team at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust consists of a team of seven Orthoptists and three part-time Optometrists working closely together with the Consultant Ophthalmologists to provide a high standard of care to our paediatric and adult patients. We work to the Trust's ethos of providing the patient with safe, compassionate, joined-up care.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Optometrist to join our team, working predominantly with paediatric patients but also some low vision patients where service needs allow. You may be providing multi-disciplinary clinics with the consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist, providing optometry paediatric review. Additionally, there would be training opportunities to expand into medical contact lenses through formal training and clinical practice.
Main duties of the job
This band 6 role is involved in the provision of core optometry work to the Orthoptic and Ophthalmology departments and patients; predominantly involving the core paediatric elements of hospital optometry. You will be providing multi-disciplinary clinics with the consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist, providing optometry paediatric review refraction clinics, and also working in a collaborative clinic with the Orthoptist. All clinics involve a mix of new and review patients of all ages and abilities, including children with learning difficulties, and involve strong collaborative team working. In addition to skills with dilated retinoscopy, you will be required to perform ophthalmoscopy on dilated paediatric patients and work closely with the other team members to manage clinical care. This role gives a unique opportunity to use your knowledge in strabismus and BSV and gain valuable experience in the management of complex cases not available in the private setting. There would also be the opportunity to undertake some training for Low Visual Aid work if required and through formal training to expand into the area of medical contact lenses.
About us
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield, and Weardale, as well as over 80 other community-based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.
Job responsibilities
We are looking for someone who can undertake all the aspects of the core paediatric Optometry hospital role. We may also be able to train applicants in a qualification for the low vision service with involvement in clinics within this service once trained and where service needs allow. You may be providing multi-disciplinary clinics with the consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist, providing Optometry paediatric review refraction clinics, and also working in a collaborative clinic with the Orthoptist. All clinics involve a mix of new and review patients of all ages and abilities, including children with learning difficulties, and involve strong collaborative team working. In addition to skills with dilated retinoscopy, you will be required to perform ophthalmoscopy on dilated paediatric patients and work closely with the other team members to manage the cases. This role gives a unique opportunity to use your knowledge in strabismus and BSV and gain valuable experience in the management of complex cases not managed in the private setting. Additionally, we would be able to offer the opportunity through formal training to expand into medical contact lens clinics.
Person Specification
Statutory Registration
* Current GOC Registration
Special Skills & Knowledge
* Experience in paediatric refraction
* Good communication and organisational skills
* Good interpersonal skills
* IT skills
* Experience in low vision aids / willingness to undertake additional training if required
* Experience/interest in specialist contact lens work / willingness to undertake additional training if required
Experience
* Experience in paediatric refraction
Qualifications
* Bsc Hon (Optometry) MCOptom
Special Requirements
* Well-developed hand/eye co-ordination, skilled to work with all ages of patients
* Flexible and enthusiastic
* Receptive to change
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.
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