Job summary An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our friendly team of x9 Orthoptists, x4 Optometrists and x9 Consultant Ophthalmologists at Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals. We are seeking an enthusiastic, highly motivated and experienced Orthoptist, ideally with a special interest in Stroke and Neuro-rehabilitation. The successful applicant will be required to work autonomously to deliver high quality Orthoptic assessment and management, including; stand alone Orthoptic clinics, joint refraction clinics and both adult motility/paediatric strabismus clinics working collaboratively with the Ophthalmologists at St Helens Hospital and sites across St Helens and Knowsley. For this particular role, the successful applicant will also be required to support a well established and high-quality ward based stroke service (acute & rehabilitation) at Whiston Hospital and provide Orthoptic screening for traumatic brain injury patients at St Helens Hospital. An Enhanced DBS with barred lists for both Adults & Children is required for this post. Main duties of the job To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of the clinical workload. Adhere to all relevant Codes of Practice within the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) Professional body & maintain an up-to-date professional registration at all times Abide by relevant Code of Professional Practice at all times. Provide the Orthoptic service autonomously both in the hospitals and at outreach clinics in the community as required Independently select and perform a broad range of comprehensive, qualitative and quantitative, investigative, diagnostic and therapeutic Orthoptic procedures which require high degrees of accuracy, hand eye co-ordination, acute observation and dexterity. Analyse and evaluate the results to aid diagnosis and differential diagnosis. The patient group includes all ages from early infancy to the elderly and comprises all cases of ocular motility defects, congenital and acquired. It also includes patients with significant learning difficulties and complex medical conditions. Referrals are received from a range of specialities e.g. paediatrics, neurology, maxilla facial, stroke rehabilitation and endocrinology. Direct referrals are accepted. Using specialist knowledge formulate individual management and treatment plans using clinical reasoning, a wide range of treatment skills and evidence-based practice About us Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 9000 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites. We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to Five Star Patient Care. Our services: Acute Care Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites. Primary Care Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital. Community Services Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation, freeing up space for more unwell patients. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre. Specialist Regional Services We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales. Achievements: Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018 Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal) National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme Date posted 04 February 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 6 Salary £37,338 to £44,962 a year per annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 409-6932053 Job locations St Helens Hospital St Helens WA9 3DA Job description Job responsibilities CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of the clinical workload. Adhere to all relevant Codes of Practice within the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) Professional body & maintain an up-to-date professional registration at all times Abide by relevant Code of Professional Practice at all times. Provide the Orthoptic service autonomously both in the hospitals and at outreach clinics in the community as required Independently select and perform a broad range of comprehensive, qualitative and quantitative, investigative, diagnostic and therapeutic Orthoptic procedures which require high degrees of accuracy, hand eye co-ordination, acute observation and dexterity. Analyse and evaluate the results to aid diagnosis and differential diagnosis. The patient group includes all ages from early infancy to the elderly and comprises all cases of ocular motility defects, congenital and acquired. It also includes patients with significant learning difficulties and complex medical conditions. Referrals are received from a range of specialities e.g. paediatrics, neurology, maxilla facial, stroke rehabilitation and endocrinology. Direct referrals are accepted. Using specialist knowledge formulate individual management and treatment plans using clinical reasoning, a wide range of treatment skills and evidence-based practice Take sole responsibility to formulate, implement, monitor and alter treatment. Instruct and support patients/carers on continuous courses of home therapies. Provide condition-related information and motivate good compliance to treatment. Make autonomous clinical and management decisions, in relation to treatment, care and discharge. Use acquired specialised knowledge and skills to deliver an expert level of care to patients. Work in partnership with consultants, optometrists, doctors and other medical professions including multi-disciplinary teams in order to make diagnoses and treatment / management options. Provide expert clinical knowledge to clinical colleagues, patients and carers. Recognise and act when a critical change in findings indicates need for urgent medical intervention. Undertake joint paediatric clinics working closely with specialist paediatric Ophthalmologist. Undertake pre and post-operative measurement and evaluation of squint providing results and advice to surgeon to enable choice of surgical procedure and analysis of post-op diplopia risk. Discuss risks & benefits of surgery with patient or carer. Identify appropriate timing of surgery. A high level of manual dexterity is required especially with paediatric patients where speed and accuracy are essential. Undertake adult ocular motility clinics including neuro-ophthalmology, thyroid eye disease etc and all cases of diplopia requiring investigation, diagnosis and management. Provide Orthoptic service to the acute referral clinic for in and out patients referred direct from hospital accident & emergency departments, wards and /or general practitioners. Provide specialist advice to the Ophthalmologist and other medical colleagues based on interpretation of Orthoptic findings. Highlight and recommend the need for further medical investigations. Autonomously assess, diagnose and formulate treatment plans for patients of all ages experiencing difficulties with learning, particularly reading. Liaise closely with other members of the multi-disciplinary team to promote an inter-professional approach for the management of SLD Undertake visual field analysis when required on specific patients requested by the medical team e.g. children with NF1 where Orthoptic skills are more appropriate. Use of focimeter and assessment of colour vision as required. Effectively communicate with patients, parents, carers, medical, allied health professionals, nursing, clerical, teaching, social work colleagues and managers in the delivery of the Orthoptic service. Communicate initial potential diagnosis, this may be of a distressing nature. Requirement for highly developed interpersonal and communication skills to persuade, motivate and reassure client group which include young apprehensive children. Adopt strategies using ingenuity to achieve effective communication in difficult circumstances e.g. autistic patients, dysphasic patients, stroke patients and patients with learning difficulties. Employ interpersonal skills to impart sensitive and distressing information with diplomacy including cases of guarded and poor prognosis. Use a range of verbal and nonverbal communication skills to explain outcomes and treatment plans, adapting the delivery according to patient understanding e.g. hearing problems, language difficulties, comprehension difficulties. Work with interpreters as and when required. Collect, interpret and evaluate information and maintain a complete and accurate record of each patient encounter. Maintain effective communication to ensure dissemination of information affecting all aspects of delivery of care. This may be written, verbal or electronic format. Manage own workload and make independent clinical decisions based on current evidence-based practice and analysis of clinical findings. Ensure that patients receive appropriate follow-up services based on clinical need and findings. Escalate any concerns to a senior member of staff as needed. Administer ocular medication under Patient Group Direction protocol. Advise patients regarding drug regimes, interactions and side effects. Suggest treatment modification in consultation with senior Orthoptist &/or medical staff. Continue a highly professional relationship with the multidisciplinary team and medical personnel. Be aware of, and adhere to, risk management standards and assess and manage clinical risk in relation to clinical area. ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES Prioritise, organise and manage appointments and clinics in both hospitals and at all outreach locations. Regularly liaise with senior Orthoptists, Ophthalmologists, Optometry, nursing, medical staff in other specialities, other health care professionals and clerical staff to maintain a high-quality service. Ensure effective and efficient use of physical resources, making recommendations regarding equipment and supplies. Monitor consumables as required. Ensure accurate and up to date completion of all records and paperwork required for the hospital service and outreach orthoptic clinics Maintain and utilise department and Trust information systems. Use IT skills for the regular input and extraction of information from the orthoptic databases held on the datamart hospital computer system. Use of the electronic patient record system i.e. evolve. Use of the computerised patient administration system i.e. careflow and medisight TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES Provide Clinical teaching to undergraduate Orthoptic students as required. The department is a recognised clinical placement centre for the Universities which provide an Orthoptic degree course. Participate in the clinical teaching of junior medical staff, nurses, pre-registration optometrists, health visitors, medical students and other health professionals as required. Take responsibility for own continued professional development and maintain own portfolio in accordance with registration requirements. Identify own development needs. Maintain knowledge of current clinical practices and where possible attend appropriate training events relevant to lead role thereby continuing professional development. To participate and, in turn, facilitate clinical journal club within the orthoptic department Comply with Trust and Departmental policies and procedures. To ensure compliance to all Trust Risk Management, research Governance, Information Governance and Infection Control policies and procedures and abide by the Standards for better health. Undertake appropriate mandatory training in infection control and comply with all Trust infection control policies relevant to the post. FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES Ensure effective and efficient use of physical resources, making recommendations regarding equipment and supplies. To inform Head of department of any stock/equipment requirements and place orders on appropriate systems for authorisation by the head of Head of department. RESEARCH & AUDIT To contribute to research within the department Evaluate service delivery, identify areas for improvement by use of active clinical audit and reflective practice. Disseminate findings to colleagues and other relevant medical professionals, enabling improvement in clinical practice throughout Ophthalmic medical care. Job description Job responsibilities CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of the clinical workload. Adhere to all relevant Codes of Practice within the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) Professional body & maintain an up-to-date professional registration at all times Abide by relevant Code of Professional Practice at all times. Provide the Orthoptic service autonomously both in the hospitals and at outreach clinics in the community as required Independently select and perform a broad range of comprehensive, qualitative and quantitative, investigative, diagnostic and therapeutic Orthoptic procedures which require high degrees of accuracy, hand eye co-ordination, acute observation and dexterity. Analyse and evaluate the results to aid diagnosis and differential diagnosis. The patient group includes all ages from early infancy to the elderly and comprises all cases of ocular motility defects, congenital and acquired. It also includes patients with significant learning difficulties and complex medical conditions. Referrals are received from a range of specialities e.g. paediatrics, neurology, maxilla facial, stroke rehabilitation and endocrinology. Direct referrals are accepted. Using specialist knowledge formulate individual management and treatment plans using clinical reasoning, a wide range of treatment skills and evidence-based practice Take sole responsibility to formulate, implement, monitor and alter treatment. Instruct and support patients/carers on continuous courses of home therapies. Provide condition-related information and motivate good compliance to treatment. Make autonomous clinical and management decisions, in relation to treatment, care and discharge. Use acquired specialised knowledge and skills to deliver an expert level of care to patients. Work in partnership with consultants, optometrists, doctors and other medical professions including multi-disciplinary teams in order to make diagnoses and treatment / management options. Provide expert clinical knowledge to clinical colleagues, patients and carers. Recognise and act when a critical change in findings indicates need for urgent medical intervention. Undertake joint paediatric clinics working closely with specialist paediatric Ophthalmologist. Undertake pre and post-operative measurement and evaluation of squint providing results and advice to surgeon to enable choice of surgical procedure and analysis of post-op diplopia risk. Discuss risks & benefits of surgery with patient or carer. Identify appropriate timing of surgery. A high level of manual dexterity is required especially with paediatric patients where speed and accuracy are essential. Undertake adult ocular motility clinics including neuro-ophthalmology, thyroid eye disease etc and all cases of diplopia requiring investigation, diagnosis and management. Provide Orthoptic service to the acute referral clinic for in and out patients referred direct from hospital accident & emergency departments, wards and /or general practitioners. Provide specialist advice to the Ophthalmologist and other medical colleagues based on interpretation of Orthoptic findings. Highlight and recommend the need for further medical investigations. Autonomously assess, diagnose and formulate treatment plans for patients of all ages experiencing difficulties with learning, particularly reading. Liaise closely with other members of the multi-disciplinary team to promote an inter-professional approach for the management of SLD Undertake visual field analysis when required on specific patients requested by the medical team e.g. children with NF1 where Orthoptic skills are more appropriate. Use of focimeter and assessment of colour vision as required. Effectively communicate with patients, parents, carers, medical, allied health professionals, nursing, clerical, teaching, social work colleagues and managers in the delivery of the Orthoptic service. Communicate initial potential diagnosis, this may be of a distressing nature. Requirement for highly developed interpersonal and communication skills to persuade, motivate and reassure client group which include young apprehensive children. Adopt strategies using ingenuity to achieve effective communication in difficult circumstances e.g. autistic patients, dysphasic patients, stroke patients and patients with learning difficulties. Employ interpersonal skills to impart sensitive and distressing information with diplomacy including cases of guarded and poor prognosis. Use a range of verbal and nonverbal communication skills to explain outcomes and treatment plans, adapting the delivery according to patient understanding e.g. hearing problems, language difficulties, comprehension difficulties. Work with interpreters as and when required. Collect, interpret and evaluate information and maintain a complete and accurate record of each patient encounter. Maintain effective communication to ensure dissemination of information affecting all aspects of delivery of care. This may be written, verbal or electronic format. Manage own workload and make independent clinical decisions based on current evidence-based practice and analysis of clinical findings. Ensure that patients receive appropriate follow-up services based on clinical need and findings. Escalate any concerns to a senior member of staff as needed. Administer ocular medication under Patient Group Direction protocol. Advise patients regarding drug regimes, interactions and side effects. Suggest treatment modification in consultation with senior Orthoptist &/or medical staff. Continue a highly professional relationship with the multidisciplinary team and medical personnel. Be aware of, and adhere to, risk management standards and assess and manage clinical risk in relation to clinical area. ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES Prioritise, organise and manage appointments and clinics in both hospitals and at all outreach locations. Regularly liaise with senior Orthoptists, Ophthalmologists, Optometry, nursing, medical staff in other specialities, other health care professionals and clerical staff to maintain a high-quality service. Ensure effective and efficient use of physical resources, making recommendations regarding equipment and supplies. Monitor consumables as required. Ensure accurate and up to date completion of all records and paperwork required for the hospital service and outreach orthoptic clinics Maintain and utilise department and Trust information systems. Use IT skills for the regular input and extraction of information from the orthoptic databases held on the datamart hospital computer system. Use of the electronic patient record system i.e. evolve. Use of the computerised patient administration system i.e. careflow and medisight TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES Provide Clinical teaching to undergraduate Orthoptic students as required. The department is a recognised clinical placement centre for the Universities which provide an Orthoptic degree course. Participate in the clinical teaching of junior medical staff, nurses, pre-registration optometrists, health visitors, medical students and other health professionals as required. Take responsibility for own continued professional development and maintain own portfolio in accordance with registration requirements. Identify own development needs. Maintain knowledge of current clinical practices and where possible attend appropriate training events relevant to lead role thereby continuing professional development. To participate and, in turn, facilitate clinical journal club within the orthoptic department Comply with Trust and Departmental policies and procedures. To ensure compliance to all Trust Risk Management, research Governance, Information Governance and Infection Control policies and procedures and abide by the Standards for better health. Undertake appropriate mandatory training in infection control and comply with all Trust infection control policies relevant to the post. FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES Ensure effective and efficient use of physical resources, making recommendations regarding equipment and supplies. To inform Head of department of any stock/equipment requirements and place orders on appropriate systems for authorisation by the head of Head of department. RESEARCH & AUDIT To contribute to research within the department Evaluate service delivery, identify areas for improvement by use of active clinical audit and reflective practice. Disseminate findings to colleagues and other relevant medical professionals, enabling improvement in clinical practice throughout Ophthalmic medical care. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Diploma or Degree in Orthoptics State Registration with Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) Desirable Post Graduate Clinical Tutor qualification or equivalent (level 6) Knowledge & Experience Essential Proven clinical post graduate experience in broad range of adult & paediatric Orthoptic clinical practice Evidence of recent continuing professional development Previous experience in special educational needs Experience in audit Desirable Previous experience in clinical tutoring of Orthoptics Skills Essential Wide ranging comprehensive clinical skills in the Orthoptic assessment & management of patients of all ages and individual needs Excellent communication skills (written & verbal) with all patients, carers, and all other health care professionals Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team Good time management skills Good planning and organisational skills Responsible for independent clinical & administrative decisions IT literate Other Essential Outreach clinics in community settings therefore ability to reach locations as needed. Transporting notes, equipment and laptop computer to & from outreach clinics Working whilst maintaining an awkward posture during patient assessments e.g. kneeling, bending, twisting. High levels of manual dexterity to perform tests Continued use of computers to access patient case notes Continuous decision making in all aspects of investigation, diagnosis & management. Analysis and problem solving. Mental agility in assessing a diverse clinical caseload Ability to work to high standards of accuracy using analytical skills and judgements continuously when assessing and treating patients Ability to break bad news sensitively Communication with distressed/anxious/worried patients/carers. Demonstrate empathy. Exposure to verbal aggression at times Adapt to variability of clinic rooms in hospital and at outreach venues Working conditions may be unpleasant with exposure to e.g. fleas, lice, childhood illnesses, MRSA. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Diploma or Degree in Orthoptics State Registration with Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) Desirable Post Graduate Clinical Tutor qualification or equivalent (level 6) Knowledge & Experience Essential Proven clinical post graduate experience in broad range of adult & paediatric Orthoptic clinical practice Evidence of recent continuing professional development Previous experience in special educational needs Experience in audit Desirable Previous experience in clinical tutoring of Orthoptics Skills Essential Wide ranging comprehensive clinical skills in the Orthoptic assessment & management of patients of all ages and individual needs Excellent communication skills (written & verbal) with all patients, carers, and all other health care professionals Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team Good time management skills Good planning and organisational skills Responsible for independent clinical & administrative decisions IT literate Other Essential Outreach clinics in community settings therefore ability to reach locations as needed. Transporting notes, equipment and laptop computer to & from outreach clinics Working whilst maintaining an awkward posture during patient assessments e.g. kneeling, bending, twisting. High levels of manual dexterity to perform tests Continued use of computers to access patient case notes Continuous decision making in all aspects of investigation, diagnosis & management. Analysis and problem solving. Mental agility in assessing a diverse clinical caseload Ability to work to high standards of accuracy using analytical skills and judgements continuously when assessing and treating patients Ability to break bad news sensitively Communication with distressed/anxious/worried patients/carers. Demonstrate empathy. Exposure to verbal aggression at times Adapt to variability of clinic rooms in hospital and at outreach venues Working conditions may be unpleasant with exposure to e.g. fleas, lice, childhood illnesses, MRSA. 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). 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). Employer details Employer name Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Address St Helens Hospital St Helens WA9 3DA Employer's website https://www.merseywestlancs.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)