King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Due to maternity leave we have an opportunity for a dedicated, motivated and enthusiastic optometrist to join our friendly team.
Previous hospital experience and independent prescribing is desirable, however we welcome newly qualified Optometrists. Banding will be dependent on experience and successful completion of competencies.
Training and support will be provided to develop roles, which will include a wide range of extended scope, such as paediatrics, low vision, post op cataract care, glaucoma. However, there may be opportunities to attend other specialities.
Main duties of the job
1. To work within the multi-disciplinary team working autonomously as an optometrist, managing a wide and complex clinical caseload.
2. To be part of the specialist orthoptist / optometry team.
3. To provide a high quality and comprehensive optometry care.
4. Optometrist extended role to mainly include eye casualty and depending on service needs training will be provided in other areas of Optometry and Ophthalmology.
5. To ensure, individually and as part of the team, the effective and efficient running of the orthoptic /optometry and ophthalmology service.
6. To provide high quality evidence based optometry care to diagnose, plan, implement and monitor treatment.
7. To teach orthoptic and ophthalmic colleagues.
8. To continually audit the optometry service.
About us
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.
We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.
King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.
Job responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
1. To be involved in the following highly specialist clinics: Cornea, Paediatric, Medical retina, Research, Low visual aids.
2. To co-ordinate clinics ensure patients are given appropriate checks: Adult refraction, paediatric objective refraction, visual function (visual acuity, colour vision, contrast sensitivity, binocular function).
3. Assessment of eye movements, lid and pupils.
4. Tonometry (Goldmann, ICare, Reichart) and pacymetry.
5. Work as an autonomous practitioner in a single-handed capacity without supervision.
6. To undertake highly skilled, specialist and extended roles.
7. To take sole responsibility for the assessment of your workload which will cover a wide, varied and complex patient group.
8. To be responsible for the prioritising appropriate onward referral of patients.
9. To conclude a diagnosis, supported by sound investigative techniques using problem solving and advanced analytical skills.
10. To develop treatment plans for individual patients (orthoptic, ophthalmic, optical and surgical).
11. To provide advice and support to patients and relatives regarding visual problems.
12. To assess patients pre-operatively and discuss with the ophthalmologist the need for surgical intervention, the timing of surgery, risks and benefits, the type of surgery and alternative treatments.
13. To assess patients post-operatively and carry out the appropriate treatment.
14. To discharge patients or organise appropriate onward referral for their ongoing care.
15. At all times to observe safe working practices and equipment procedures that comply with legislative requirements and health and safety regulations.
16. Dispenses medication using patient specific directions.
17. To deal with accidents untoward occurrences and complaints according to accepted procedure.
18. To ensure the safety of patients, visitors and staff and report all outpatient hazards.
19. To respect patients privacy, dignity, gender, sexuality and have due regard to patients cultural and religious beliefs.
Administrative Responsibilities
1. To take responsibility for all administrative paperwork ensuring it is kept in order and up to date. Follow-up appointments should be made and sent as appropriate.
2. Undertake general clerical duties and clinical queries (appointments, filing etc).
3. To deal with telephone queries and make appropriate decisions on limited information.
4. To maintain the integrity of computerised patient appointment systems, inputting data accurately and ensuring proper storage, back up and retrieval of information.
5. Ensure all patient episodes, including coding appropriate activity is recorded.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Optometry Degree
* Registration with General Optical Council
Knowledge & Experience
* Post graduate experience with evidence of role extension.
* Evidence of appropriate knowledge base and CPD.
* Teaching experience and skills
* Working within MECS
* Paediatric Refraction (cycloplegic and subjective Refraction)
* Hospital experience
* Complex Contact Lens fitting and management.
Skills and Competencies
* Able to manage own workload and use own initiative.
* Ability to work independently or as part of a team.
* Able to organise and prioritise workload, managing time effectively and deliver within agreed timescales.
* Self-motivated with a flexible approach to working practice, evidence of responding to service needs.
* Excellent presentation skills.
* Able to foster good relationships with colleagues and all patients.
* Understands the importance of safeguarding, especially children and vulnerable adults.
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.
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
9 months
Working pattern
Part-time, Flexible working, Compressed hours
Reference number
213-PRUH-6766590-A
Job locations
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
£54,320 to £60,981 a year per annum, including high cost allowance, Pro Rata
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