We are looking for a Band 5 Orthoptist to join our established community team in Bedfordshire and Luton.
We need:
* A motivated Orthoptist who is willing to work flexibly
* An Orthoptist who is looking to develop their clinical knowledge and skills
You should:
* hold a degree or diploma in orthoptics,
* be registered with the HCPC
* be a member of the British and Irish Orthoptic Society.
Our team covers community clinics including paediatric orthoptic, special school and child development. Our orthoptists work closely with and learn from consultants and specialist paediatric staff employed by Moorfields Eye Hospital and Bedfordshire Hospitals (L&D).
We provide orthoptic support for hospital paediatric, adult motility clinics, Goldmann perimetry, Stroke and Glaucoma clinics with Ophthalmic Consultants. The department also participates in NIHR registered Moorfields research studies.
Main duties of the job
As a service we provide:
* Preceptorship for newly qualified Orthoptists
* Mentoring
* Continued Professional Development including in house training and external courses
* Opportunities to shadow and work within Goldmann, Stroke, Glaucoma, Special schools and Research clinics
* Regular team meetings and safeguarding supervision
The orthoptic department is also committed to teaching undergraduate orthoptic students.
You will be based in the community at either Liverpool Road Health Centre, Luton, or Kempston Health Centre, Bedford with a requirement to travel frequently to Bedfordshire Hospital sites (Bedford and Luton) and community clinics throughout Bedfordshire.
About us
Rated 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission, we are proud to provide high quality innovative services across most of the east of England that enable people to receive care closer to home and live healthier lives.
There's one reason why our services are outstanding - and that's our amazing staff - who, for the seventh year running, rated us incredibly highly in the national staff survey.
If you share our passion for innovative and high-quality care delivery, then please submit your application and join us on our exciting journey as a leading-edge specialist community provider. All are welcome to apply and our promise to you is a culture which prioritises staff engagement and development.
Job description
Job responsibilities
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
* 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 (squint, amblyopia, and reduced visual responses), ocular motility disorders, other ophthalmic conditions and congenital developmental abnormalities.
* To formulate specialist individualised management and treatment plans using advanced clinical reasoning and a wide range of treatment skills.
* To assess patients pre- and post-operatively and discuss surgery options with the Consultant Ophthalmologist.
* To diagnose and treat children with special needs in community and multidisciplinary clinics and special schools.
* To take responsibility for advising patients, relatives, and carers of the prognosis regarding their eye condition.
* 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.
* To offer advice and support in the clinic and over the telephone, and deal with queries from patients, carers and other health professionals.
* Assess, diagnose and manage children presenting with visually related reading difficulties.
* Undertake specialised assessment of patients admitted to the Stroke ward.
* 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.
* To analyse, diagnose, and formulate treatment plans for patients with complex ocular movement disorders.
* To maintain and check current and discharged clinical records on SystmOne.
* To work independently in busy community children's clinics within professional guidelines and Orthoptic competencies.
* To provide support for the Orthoptist Team Leaders.
Planning
* To prioritise and organise own clinical caseload.
* To be responsible for booking patient appointments and related administration.
* To organise additional sessions as required.
* To plan and organise joint Ophthalmic and Orthoptic community clinics across Bedfordshire.
* To formulate joint ophthalmic/orthoptic treatment plans for complex cases.
Policy development:
To contribute to the improvement of the service and development of agreed policies and guidelines.
Information Resources:
* To collate statistics and submit in a timely manner.
* To maintain accurate contemporaneous patient records.
* To respond to requests for data and information following Trust procedures.
Communication
* To communicate condition-related information to patients, relatives and carers.
* To liaise with and provide detailed medical information to all members of the Community Eye Service.
* To gain informed consent and compliance for assessment and treatment.
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 (School nurses, Health Visitors) GPs Multi-disciplinary teams The team in the Health Hub
Budgetary Responsibilities
* To be responsible for the care of clinical equipment.
* To identify and order clinical supplies as agreed with the Orthoptist Team Leader.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
* Undergraduate experience of working in all aspects of clinical Orthoptics.
Desirable
* Knowledge of clinical audit, risk assessment, Health and Safety and Safeguarding.
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
* Literate in IT/Computer Skills.
* Good oral communication skills.
Desirable
* Ability to demonstrate clinical Orthoptics to other health professionals.
Qualifications & Training
Essential
* Degree/Diploma in Orthoptics.
* State Registered with HCPC.
* Member BIOS.
Employer details
Employer name
Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust
Address
Community Eye Services, Liverpool Road Health Centre
9 Mersey Place
Luton
LU1 1HH
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