The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
As one of the country's leading Ophthalmology units, the Newcastle Eye Centre continually improves how it offers high-quality services for patients and excellent career satisfaction for its staff.
Our Optometry Department is no exception, and we are delighted to seek 1.8 WTE Optometrist to join the team at the Royal Victoria Infirmary. We welcome applications from registered Optometrists with a range of experience, including newly qualified Optometrists with the ambition and drive to excel in hospital optometry. Having the right work/life balance is a key priority for us, and applications are welcome from those seeking both full and part-time employment.
Our visionary approach includes working closely with our consultant colleagues and other eye care professionals to ensure we can provide healthcare at its best with people at our heart, and we would love to hear from those who share our vision.
We have a diverse clinical workload including paediatrics, glaucoma, eye emergency, corneal, YAG capsulotomy, cataract, and research clinics, as well as core optometry clinics such as specialised contact lens fitting (adult and paediatric) and low visual aids. Our research activity continues to increase as we support our colleagues in the Sir Bobby Robson Oncology Unit, and there are significant opportunities for successful candidates to develop their knowledge and skills in this area.
Main duties of the job
Having a comprehensive range of services means we can offer exclusive opportunities for specialisation in specific areas of interest, according to service need, plus exceptional opportunities for continuing professional development (CPD) as we seek to ensure every member of our staff is provided with the relevant training and support needed to liberate their potential.
Successful candidates will have highly specialised knowledge as demonstrated by either an extensive, relevant portfolio and/or further qualifications such as Independent Prescribing, College of Optometrist Higher Certificates, or other relevant qualifications. We also welcome applications from candidates who cannot yet demonstrate highly specialized knowledge/higher qualifications; they would start on Band 6 and progress to Band 7 when this is achieved. This would be expected to be achieved within 2 years of starting employment, and support will be given to obtain the specialised knowledge required, making this an excellent opportunity for newly qualified optometrists who would like to pursue a career in hospital optometry.
Other duties include provision of postgraduate training across a wide range of disciplines including pre-registration and qualified Optometrists, nursing staff, and junior medical staff preparing for Royal College of Ophthalmologists exams, as well as participation in clinical and medical audit.
Job responsibilities
Hospital Eye Service experience is desirable but not essential.
* Interview Date: 14 March 2025
* You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.
To deliver a quality of service matching clinical need to available resources within the focus of Specialist Optometrist practice.
To take a lead role in extending Optometrists' involvement in highly specialised clinics, for example:
* Highly specialised medically necessary contact lenses.
* Low vision assessment.
* Work as an independent practitioner and as part of a multidisciplinary team, providing an extensive range of advanced Optometric services to the highest standards of quality and care.
* Ensure that the patient is the central focus.
* As a Specialist Optometrist, provide a prompt response to calls from colleagues, prioritising importance and clinical need.
* Manage own caseload to include assessment, investigation, diagnosis, and treatment within defined parameters and training.
* Provide immediate care management of patients, including communication of plans to patients and significant others.
* Review and refer to the appropriate person, e.g., Consultant Ophthalmologist.
* Liaise with Eye Clinic Liaison Officer for patients with untreatable sight loss.
* Provide specialist education and training at postgraduate level to qualified and pre-registration Optometrists and multiple disciplines in Ophthalmology.
* Undertake administrative responsibilities as determined by the Head or Deputy Head of Optometry.
* Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team providing an extensive range of advanced Optometric services for patient care to the highest standards of quality and care, meeting the changing needs of the department.
* Demonstrate Optometry techniques at postgraduate level for multiple disciplines within Ophthalmology.
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first month's pay.
As a flexible working-friendly organisation, we want to ensure that you can work in a way that is best for us, our patients, and you. Speak to us about how we might accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Person Specification
Band 7
* Registered Optometrist
* GOC registration requiring Post Graduate Qualification continuing Education and Training to Masters Level
* Further highly developed specialist knowledge including theoretical and clinical training, e.g., College of Optometrists Diploma in Ocular Therapeutics, College of Optometrists Diploma in Glaucoma, Accredited Slit Lamp examiner under Diabetic Retinal Screening programme, Highly specialised medically necessary contact lens fitting and aftercare.
* The ability to practice at a level comparable to a Specialist Registrar doctor, including clinical history taking and ocular examination skills.
* Extensive post-registration experience, some of which will be at a senior level within the required specialist area of practice.
* Evidence of ongoing continuous professional development.
* Knowledge and understanding of relevant NHS policy or project-specific policy context.
* Knowledge and experience of adult/child safeguarding.
* Research and audit experience.
* Evidence of excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including effective report writing.
* Effective organisation and time management skills.
* Change management skills and involvement in project work.
* Excellent IT skills including word-processing, use of spreadsheets, and databases.
* Able to work independently and across disciplines as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
* Full driving licence.
* Experience of teaching.
* Previous employment in Hospital Eye Service.
* Counselling skills.
Band 6
* BSc in Optometry plus postgraduate qualification Continuing Education and Training (CET).
* Registered with General Optical Council.
* General appearance to be business-like and professional.
* Good written and verbal communication skills.
* Flexible approach to working patterns.
* Ability to work independently and also as part of a multidisciplinary team.
* Physical ability to perform all necessary Optometric duties.
* Well motivated and enthusiastic.
* IT skills including word-processing, use of spreadsheets, and databases.
* Comply with annual re-registration requirements by taking ownership of own development, identifying training needs, maintaining CET accreditation, 6-monthly re-accreditation in specialist refraction procedures, updating Personal Development Plan.
* Advanced knowledge of legal aspects of Optometry.
* Demonstrates Optometric techniques to pre-registration Optometrists, junior medical staff, nurses, and support workers.
* Communicates effectively with all members of the multidisciplinary team, requiring concise and accurate verbal and written reports.
* Communicates condition-related information, breaking bad news on a daily basis that has life-changing consequences, e.g., untreatable sight loss/blindness, loss of driving licence due to sight loss. Patients are frequently elderly.
* Works closely with all members of the multidisciplinary team to ensure an efficient service and high level of patient care in line with Trust policy.
* Acknowledge and accommodate barriers to communication and understanding, working with elderly patients and carers daily. Patients frequently have other sensory loss and/or special needs.
* Liaise with appropriate support services, particularly in patients with substantial visual loss.
* Liaise with and give detailed medical information to all members of the Ophthalmology team.
* Previous work in hospital eye service.
* Experience of teaching.
* Previous involvement in clinical/medical audit.
* Full clean driving licence.
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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