Job Purpose: To assist in the delivery of the Orthoptic Service, providing a high standard of care, undertaking a range of professional duties and working in a variety of areas in both acute and community settings across Bedfordshire, maintaining clinical and professional quality standards at all times. To assess, diagnose, treat and manage adult and children patients referred to the Orthoptic service. To take sole responsibility to determine the clinical diagnosis and formulate relevant treatment plans in conjunction with ophthalmologists and other health care professionals. To take responsibility for one or more clinical bases, liaising with administrative and optometric staff as required.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
1. To be professionally responsible and accountable for the management of Orthoptic patients in Bedfordshire as an autonomous practitioner. To assess, diagnose, treat and manage (including discharge when clinically appropriate) the patients referred to the Community Eye Service. These include Paediatric visual disorders, ocular motility disorders, other ophthalmic conditions and congenital developmental abnormalities.
2. To formulate specialist individualised management and treatment plans using advanced clinical reasoning and a wide range of treatment skills.
3. To assess patients pre- and post-operatively and discuss surgery options with the Consultant Ophthalmologist. To identify the opportune timing of surgery and discuss post-operative risks with the patients, carers, and surgeon.
4. To diagnose and treat children with special needs in community and multidisciplinary clinics and special schools.
5. To support/advise the Orthoptic Support Workers (OSW) providing the 4-5 year school vision screening service. To promote the need for early intervention and treatment of childhood eye problems.
6. Undertake specialised assessment of patients admitted to the Stroke ward. Determine the presence of any ophthalmological conditions and manage as required, liaising with ward staff and Ophthalmologists as appropriate.
7. To contribute to Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for patients with Special Educational needs when required. To triage new referrals prioritising their urgency. To direct referrals appropriately to the Consultant Ophthalmologist, Specialist Optometrist or the Orthoptist Team Leader.
8. To analyse, diagnose, and formulate treatment plans for patients with complex ocular movement disorders referred by Consultant Ophthalmologists and Acute referrals at Moorfields at Bedford and Luton and Dunstable Hospital trusts.
9. To maintain and check current and discharged clinical records on SystmOne.
10. To work independently in busy community children's clinics within professional guidelines and Orthoptic competencies, referring selected patients for ophthalmic/optometric care.
11. To provide support for the Orthoptist Team Leaders. Act as a deputy in her absence.
12. To prioritise and organise own clinical caseload and book patient appointments.
13. To contribute to the improvement of the service and development of agreed policies and guidelines.
14. To collate statistics and submit in a timely manner.
15. To communicate condition-related information to patients, relatives and carers, especially where this may have a major impact.
16. To liaise with and provide detailed medical information to all members of the Community Eye Service and other professions as necessary.
17. To gain informed consent and compliance for assessment and treatment by negotiation and encouragement for children and adults of all ages and abilities.
18. The assessment of patients involves a high level of concentration for the duration of the assessment.
Key Relationships: Orthoptists and Ophthalmologists across Bedfordshire in all clinical settings, Patients, relatives and carers, Administration staff at all bases, Local Optometrists, 0-19 years teams, GPs, Multi-disciplinary teams.
Budgetary Responsibilities: To be responsible for the care of clinical equipment, report faults and ensure adequate stock levels are maintained.
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