Recognised as one of the largest NHS trusts - University Hospitals Birmingham is at the forefront of clinical research and is recognised as a centre of excellence in the development of new treatments and complex care.
Our Ophthalmology service is delivered across Solihull, Heartlands, Good Hope and Queen Elizabeth hospitals and accounts for 13% of all UHB's annual patient activity.
Where we differ from high street optometry is that our colleagues can practice without sales targets and time limitations. Our mission is to 'build healthier lives' and our patient's eyesight is our priority.
As Principal you will lead on ensuring we deliver the best in care for Birmingham and Solihull patients.
At UHB we provide core and specialist optometry clinics, recommending defined care and treatment plans. We are passionate in the delivering of high-quality patient care and seek a Principal Optometrist with experience in contact lens fitting to cover a 9-month maternity leave with the same values who is visible across Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull.
Main duties of the job
As Lead you will inspire, motivate and encourage our clinical staff to achieve their personal goals and support them with continuing professional development.
In return you can expect to join colleagues who are committed to delivering excellence in their roles and to be able to access peer support and specialist guidance from our Consultant Ophthalmologists, Operations Leads and a network of specialist Optometrists.
We pride ourselves on being a supportive team, ensuring that staff satisfaction and a healthy work-life balance is high on our priorities.
Inspired? Our Talent and Engagement lead is on standby to discuss this opportunity further. Apply today and we'll be in touch.
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:
1. Investing in the health and wellbeing of our staff, including a commitment of offering flexible working where we can.
2. Offering 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 reaches their true potential, achieves their ambitions and thrives 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
* BSc Optometry or International Equivalent
* Experience to Master's level (Optometry) or International Equivalent plus further specialist training
* GOC Registered Professional
Desirable
* Teaching and assessing qualification
Experience
Essential
* Hospital Optometry Practice
* Complex adult refraction and spectacle prescribing
* Paediatric Refraction
* Paediatric binocular vision theory
* Advanced Medical Contact Lens Practice (Keratoconus, Post Graft, Therapeutic)
* Low Vision Practice
* Extensive clinical experience of medical contact lens fitting for all stages of keratoconus and post graft.
* Extensive clinical experience of therapeutic contact lens practice.
* Knowledge of binocular vision theory and practice
* Contemporary knowledge of low vision optical appliances
* Experience in change management and problem solving
* Experience in budget management
* Detailed knowledge of current best practice in relevant clinical areas
Desirable
* Student Supervision
* Clinical Demonstration
* Clinical Audit
* Research techniques and methodology
Additional Criteria
Essential
* Clear written presentation and accurate record keeping
* Verifying optical prescription vouchers
* Raising purchase orders
* Dexterity and developed hand to eye-co-ordination
* Highly developed analytical and judgement skills
* Excellent written and oral communication skills
* Negotiation and diplomacy skills
* Ability to work autonomously, plan, organise, prioritise and delegate
* Ability to work under pressure and cope in a stressful environment and with emotional/aggressive patients/carers
* Ability to understand and analyse professional and ethical issues and apply them to service development
* Demonstrate empathy for distressed patients and carers
* Tolerance for demanding clinical schedules
* Collaborative
* Tactful and diplomatic
* Comfortable and confident with paediatric patients
* Multiple site working
Desirable
* Clinic planning
* Stock checking
Employer details
Employer name
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Trustwide
Mindelsohn Way
Birmingham
West Midlands
B15 2TH
Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.
304-9002431DO #J-18808-Ljbffr