Highly Specialist Orthoptist

For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below. More detail about the role This is a dynamic and varied role with opportunities to develop advanced clinical and autonomous practice skills across both orthoptic and glaucoma pathways. You will be supported to expand your expertise through extended roles and innovative ways of working. You will deliver clinics across both acute hospital and community settings and, depending on experience, spend a significant proportion of your time working in an extended-role capacity supporting the orthoptic-led glaucoma monitoring service. Working alongside glaucoma clinical nurse specialists, orthoptic assistants and ophthalmology colleagues, you will play a key role in monitoring and managing glaucoma patients, identifying deterioration and facilitating timely escalation where required. You will also contribute to the ongoing development of the glaucoma service and the staff delivering it. Within the orthoptic service, you will: • Provide specialist orthoptic assessment, diagnosis and management for paediatric and adult patients. • Manage a diverse caseload including ocular motility disorders, diplopia, amblyopia, neuro-ophthalmic presentations and stroke-related visual problems. • Work autonomously using advanced clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice. • Contribute to service development, pathway redesign and quality improvement initiatives. • Support waiting list management and elective recovery. • Work collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality patient-centred care. As the department continues to develop its workforce, we will shortly be welcoming an Orthoptic Apprentice. Candidates with an interest in education, clinical supervision and workforce development would be particularly welcome. The successful candidate will have opportunities to support the training and development of students and apprentices and, for the right individual, there may be a supported pathway towards developing as an Orthoptic Clinical Tutor alongside their clinical role. The successful candidate will: • Be part of a forward-thinking team driving innovation in both orthoptic and glaucoma services. • Work as an autonomous practitioner within the core orthoptic service. • Contribute to service development and pathway improvement. • Support the education, supervision, training and development of students, apprentices and junior staff. • Develop leadership and teaching skills, with potential opportunities to progress towards an Orthoptic Clinical Tutor role. • Participate in regular glaucoma multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings. • Be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). • Be willing to travel to community-based clinic locations. Not Quite Ready for a Band 7 Post? We welcome applications from suitable candidates seeking a developmental opportunity. A Band 6 developmental pathway may be offered to applicants who do not yet meet all Band 7 competencies. This will include structured training, mentoring and competency-based progression to Band 7 following successful completion of agreed objectives. About the Service The Orthoptic Department provides a comprehensive range of adult and paediatric services including patients referred from: • Eye Casualty • Neurology services • Stroke rehabilitation services • Paediatric ophthalmology services • School vision screening programmes • Special school screening programmes • Acute and Community location clinics In addition to core orthoptic services, we currently provide extended-role clinics including: • Glaucoma Monitoring • Dystonia/Botox • Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) • Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) The department has a strong reputation for innovation and service development and is committed to developing both future services and future professionals. Career Development and Progression Training and development opportunities are readily available. Whether your interests lie in specialist clinical practice, leadership, education, research or service development, we will support you in finding the best way to grow. We actively encourage CPD and offer opportunities to learn from a range of specialist clinicians across ophthalmology and orthoptics. You will be involved in: • Clinical audit and quality improvement • Clinical governance activities • Journal clubs • Departmental meetings • Relevant courses and seminars • Service development projects As we establish our Orthoptic Apprenticeship programme, candidates who are interested in teaching and workforce development will have opportunities to gain experience in education, mentorship and clinical supervision. For the right individual, there may be opportunities to develop towards an Orthoptic Clinical Tutor role, supporting apprentice and student learning alongside clinical responsibilities. About North Devon North Devon District Hospital is situated close to some of the UK's most beautiful coastline and countryside, including Exmoor National Park and the stunning beaches of the North Devon coast. Known as England's Adventure Coast, North Devon offers an exceptional quality of life with outstanding natural beauty, vibrant communities and excellent opportunities for outdoor pursuits. The area is also home to the UK's first designated World Surfing Reserve. There are good road links to the M5 and rail connections to Exeter and the wider national network. HCPC registration is essential, and travel across community sites will be expected. Working Pattern: 37.5 hours over 4 days - 3 x 9.5 hour days and 1 x 9 hour day Interview Date: To Be Confirmed For further information please contact: Susan Thorne, Head Orthoptist on OR ] As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. Preference will be given to staff with Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon. The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received. The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust. Benefits We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team. This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we'll help you get there. Looking after you is important to us. We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies. If you're starting out in the NHS, you'll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays. You'll benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups. Salary is not the only financial benefit You'll have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers. You will also have access to other benefits including: National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts. Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter Car lease schemes. The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK). Cycle to work scheme These are just a few of the benefits available if the role is something you are interested in, we'd love to hear from you. Job description Job responsibilities For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below. More detail about the role This is a dynamic and varied role with opportunities to develop advanced clinical and autonomous practice skills across both orthoptic and glaucoma pathways. You will be supported to expand your expertise through extended roles and innovative ways of working. You will deliver clinics across both acute hospital and community settings and, depending on experience, spend a significant proportion of your time working in an extended-role capacity supporting the orthoptic-led glaucoma monitoring service. Working alongside glaucoma clinical nurse specialists, orthoptic assistants and ophthalmology colleagues, you will play a key role in monitoring and managing glaucoma patients, identifying deterioration and facilitating timely escalation where required. You will also contribute to the ongoing development of the glaucoma service and the staff delivering it. Within the orthoptic service, you will: • Provide specialist orthoptic assessment, diagnosis and management for paediatric and adult patients. • Manage a diverse caseload including ocular motility disorders, diplopia, amblyopia, neuro-ophthalmic presentations and stroke-related visual problems. • Work autonomously using advanced clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice. • Contribute to service development, pathway redesign and quality improvement initiatives. • Support waiting list management and elective recovery. • Work collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality patient-centred care. As the department continues to develop its workforce, we will shortly be welcoming an Orthoptic Apprentice. Candidates with an interest in education, clinical supervision and workforce development would be particularly welcome. The successful candidate will have opportunities to support the training and development of students and apprentices and, for the right individual, there may be a supported pathway towards developing as an Orthoptic Clinical Tutor alongside their clinical role. The successful candidate will: • Be part of a forward-thinking team driving innovation in both orthoptic and glaucoma services. • Work as an autonomous practitioner within the core orthoptic service. • Contribute to service development and pathway improvement. • Support the education, supervision, training and development of students, apprentices and junior staff. • Develop leadership and teaching skills, with potential opportunities to progress towards an Orthoptic Clinical Tutor role. • Participate in regular glaucoma multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings. • Be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). • Be willing to travel to community-based clinic locations. Not Quite Ready for a Band 7 Post? We welcome applications from suitable candidates seeking a developmental opportunity. A Band 6 developmental pathway may be offered to applicants who do not yet meet all Band 7 competencies. This will include structured training, mentoring and competency-based progression to Band 7 following successful completion of agreed objectives. About the Service The Orthoptic Department provides a comprehensive range of adult and paediatric services including patients referred from: • Eye Casualty • Neurology services • Stroke rehabilitation services • Paediatric ophthalmology services • School vision screening programmes • Special school screening programmes • Acute and Community location clinics In addition to core orthoptic services, we currently provide extended-role clinics including: • Glaucoma Monitoring • Dystonia/Botox • Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) • Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) The department has a strong reputation for innovation and service development and is committed to developing both future services and future professionals. Career Development and Progression Training and development opportunities are readily available. Whether your interests lie in specialist clinical practice, leadership, education, research or service development, we will support you in finding the best way to grow. We actively encourage CPD and offer opportunities to learn from a range of specialist clinicians across ophthalmology and orthoptics. You will be involved in: • Clinical audit and quality improvement • Clinical governance activities • Journal clubs • Departmental meetings • Relevant courses and seminars • Service development projects As we establish our Orthoptic Apprenticeship programme, candidates who are interested in teaching and workforce development will have opportunities to gain experience in education, mentorship and clinical supervision. For the right individual, there may be opportunities to develop towards an Orthoptic Clinical Tutor role, supporting apprentice and student learning alongside clinical responsibilities. About North Devon North Devon District Hospital is situated close to some of the UK's most beautiful coastline and countryside, including Exmoor National Park and the stunning beaches of the North Devon coast. Known as England's Adventure Coast, North Devon offers an exceptional quality of life with outstanding natural beauty, vibrant communities and excellent opportunities for outdoor pursuits. The area is also home to the UK's first designated World Surfing Reserve. There are good road links to the M5 and rail connections to Exeter and the wider national network. HCPC registration is essential, and travel across community sites will be expected. Working Pattern: 37.5 hours over 4 days - 3 x 9.5 hour days and 1 x 9 hour day Interview Date: To Be Confirmed For further information please contact: Susan Thorne, Head Orthoptist on OR ] As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. Preference will be given to staff with Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon. The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received. The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust. Benefits We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team. This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we'll help you get there. Looking after you is important to us. We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies. If you're starting out in the NHS, you'll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays. You'll benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups. Salary is not the only financial benefit You'll have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers. You will also have access to other benefits including: National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts. Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter Car lease schemes. The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK). Cycle to work scheme These are just a few of the benefits available if the role is something you are interested in, we'd love to hear from you.