Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 5 Orthoptist to join our team of 8 Orthoptists and an Orthoptic technician. This autonomous practitioner will provide quality Orthoptic services to both out patients and in patients in two acute hospitals within Swansea Bay University Health Board.
Swansea is Wales' waterfront city. It sits on the sandy 5 mile stretch of Swansea Bay beach and is a great base for exploring the beautiful Gower peninsular, the Brecon Beacons National Park and the natural beauty of West Wales. The city itself has a variety of shops, pubs and restaurants, art galleries and museums. The capital city of Cardiff lies only an hour away.
Orthoptists play a key role in managing eye conditions and see patients of all ages with a high percentage being younger than school age. The Orthoptist will be involved in the diagnosis and management of conditions affecting binocular vision, functional vision, and ocular motility as well as examining and interpreting visual fields.
Main duties of the job
Swansea Bay University Health Board delivers Orthoptic services at Singleton Hospital Swansea, Neath Port Talbot Hospital and Ystradgynlais Community Hospital. We work closely with a forward thinking team of 13 Ophthalmologists.
Duties will include using a wide range of orthoptic skills in order to assess, diagnose and manage a variety of both paediatric and adult ocular motility conditions. You must be able to work as part of a team and show enthusiasm. You will have support and supervision but will be expected to work autonomously. Newly qualified Orthoptists undergo preceptorship during their first year and mentorship is available.
You will be based at the Orthoptic Department, Singleton Hospital, Swansea, but may be required to work at other Orthoptic units within the Health Board so ability to travel is desirable but not essential.
Flexibility to adapt to different situations and work under pressure is necessary. Professional development is encouraged including participation in Orthoptic, Ophthalmology and multi disciplinary audit. The Orthoptic service is accredited for undergraduate Orthoptic students and participation in demonstrating to students and other personnel is requested.
Applicants must hold a degree/diploma in Orthoptics and state registration with the HCPC. Previous experience is not essential as supervision and mentorship will be given.
Working for our organisation
The post holder will be expected to participate in the HB’s individual performance review process to ensure continued professional development.
At no time should the post holder work outside their defined level of competence. All staff have a responsibility to inform those supervising their duties if they are not competent to perform a duty.
In line with the Data Protection Act 1998, the post holder will be expected to maintain confidentiality in relation to personal and patient information, as outlined in the contract of employment. The post holder may access information only on a need to know basis in the direct discharge of duties and divulge information only in the proper course of duties.
The Health Board is committed to protecting its staff, patients, assets and reputation through an effective risk management process. The post holder will be required to comply with the Trust’s Risk Management Policy, Health and Safety Policy and other associated policies and to actively participate in this process, having responsibility for managing risks and reporting exceptions.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Degree or equivalent in Orthoptics
2. Registration with HCPC
Desirable criteria
3. IT Qualification
Experience
Essential criteria
4. Awareness of the HCPC standards of performance and ethics
5. Awareness of the BIOS Orthoptic Code of Conduct
Desirable criteria
6. Clinical competency gained from previous role or clinical placement
7. Evidence of CPD
Personal Attributes
Essential criteria
8. Commitment to provision of high quality care
9. Flexibility to adapt to changing service needs
10. Ability to work under pressure
11. Motivated and enthusiastic
Swansea Bay University Health Board is committed to supporting its staff and processes to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing service users experience. In our commitment to increase the number of staff able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we would particularly welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
Equality remains at the centre of the Health Boards policy-making, service delivery and employment practices. We value the diversity of our staff and welcome applications from people from protected groups under the Equality Act 2010, this specifically includes age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/reassignment, race, religion, disability, pregnancy and maternity and marriage and civil partnership.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Welsh language skills are desirable