Specialist Orthoptist

Operational Delivery • To perform investigations and treatment as an autonomous practitioner, incorporating highly specialist skills • To ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment plans for patients of all age groups and mental and physical abilities • To monitor clinical progress and to use advanced reasoning skills to interpret data and alter treatment as appropriate • To consider clinical and non-clinical risk management as part of day-to-day work and to complete Radar reports as appropriate • To assimilate and analyse highly complex patient information from a variety of sources. • To attend meetings as directed and necessary • To work closely with the administrative service at designated sites to ensure a smooth and effective delivery of service • To be responsible for organising a clinical caseload based on clinical priorities/referral criteria, standards, protocols and clinical evidence • To participate in and manage the running of Orthoptic clinics as appropriate, liaising with medical, optometric, technical, nursing and administrative staff both within the Trust and with external partners • To maintain stocks of education materials, resources and literature required for patient care • To ensure all clinical equipment is clean and working safely and efficiently • To ensure disinfection of all equipment and workstations following assessment of infectious patients • To perform investigations and treatment autonomously, using clinical reasoning, and utilising a wide range of treatment skills and options to formulate a programme of care • To be legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of professional practice, adhering to guidelines set out in the Health Professions Council • To comply with the organisational and departmental policies and procedures. Patient / Customer Care • To carry out highly specialised visual and ocular assessments on Orthoptic patients of all ages, referred to the service from internal and external sources, to diagnose and treat accordingly as an autonomous practitioner • To use advanced specialist knowledge to assess and diagnose complex cases and provide advice on relevant treatment programmes • To assess adult and paediatric strabismus patients pre and post operatively • To participate in a variety of ophthalmology clinics as required, including assessment of orthoptic and general ophthalmology patients • To undertake any other clinical duties as may reasonably be required and which are consummate with the skills and competencies of the post • To use auto-refraction in the diagnosis and management decisions for patients Service Development and Improvement • To adhere to all recognised protocols within the service • To participate in the development and implementation of service standards, guidelines and policies. Management and Leadership To attend and participate in departmental audit and staff meetings, professional clinical meetings, in-service training and other courses and conferences in order to maintain CPD and to improve and enhance personal knowledge and skills. To attend corporate and local induction and mandatory training in line with Trust policy. To participate in appraisal, performance and management processes and design a personal development plan in line with service and Trust strategy. To assist in the induction of new staff members. Communication and Relationship Building • To communicate clearly and efficiently with patients, parents, carers, health professionals, school staff and specialist support staff to ensure full understanding of clinical investigations and treatment • To acknowledge possible communication barriers such as language barriers, cultural and medical conditions, dementia, learning difficulties and literacy problems and to tailor advice and supporting information to the patient / client needs • To offer continued support and counselling to patients and/or carers at all stages of their diagnosis and treatment • To assess capacity, gain valid informed consent and have the ability to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment • To plan and undertake teaching sessions for all clinical staff, as required • To maintain lines of communication within the Orthoptic Team and within the wider multi-disciplinary setting Information Management • To maintain an accurate and timely record of clinical statistics relevant to the service and ensure that all data is recorded to reflect true activity levels • To undertake any required administrative duties required of the post holder • To ensure that local reporting and record keeping follows Trust and service protocols and standards. • To be competent in the use of information technology and have required IT skill • To liaise with external hospitals, GPs, other agencies in order to request up to date reports and notes for new patients as necessary General • To undertake and present clinical audit using research methodology and the evaluation of evidence based practice • To critically appraise and review current literature on relevant topics • To participate in Reflective Supervision Groups • To actively participate in any research being undertaken within the service and nationally • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of research relating to all aspects of Orthoptics, Ophthalmic and Optometric care • To undertake professional and educational activities to develop knowledge and ensure maintenance of professional / clinical standards. These could include reflective practice, external courses, internet based research, membership to professional groups and clinical update sessions. The use of AI is monitored and if you have used it then you are required to declare this, as well as what type of AI tools you have used and for what purpose. We reserve the right to further test your individual knowledge and skills in relation to the requirements for the post through robust and thorough interview and assessment. Job description Job responsibilities Operational Delivery • To perform investigations and treatment as an autonomous practitioner, incorporating highly specialist skills • To ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment plans for patients of all age groups and mental and physical abilities • To monitor clinical progress and to use advanced reasoning skills to interpret data and alter treatment as appropriate • To consider clinical and non-clinical risk management as part of day-to-day work and to complete Radar reports as appropriate • To assimilate and analyse highly complex patient information from a variety of sources. • To attend meetings as directed and necessary • To work closely with the administrative service at designated sites to ensure a smooth and effective delivery of service • To be responsible for organising a clinical caseload based on clinical priorities/referral criteria, standards, protocols and clinical evidence • To participate in and manage the running of Orthoptic clinics as appropriate, liaising with medical, optometric, technical, nursing and administrative staff both within the Trust and with external partners • To maintain stocks of education materials, resources and literature required for patient care • To ensure all clinical equipment is clean and working safely and efficiently • To ensure disinfection of all equipment and workstations following assessment of infectious patients • To perform investigations and treatment autonomously, using clinical reasoning, and utilising a wide range of treatment skills and options to formulate a programme of care • To be legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of professional practice, adhering to guidelines set out in the Health Professions Council • To comply with the organisational and departmental policies and procedures. Patient / Customer Care • To carry out highly specialised visual and ocular assessments on Orthoptic patients of all ages, referred to the service from internal and external sources, to diagnose and treat accordingly as an autonomous practitioner • To use advanced specialist knowledge to assess and diagnose complex cases and provide advice on relevant treatment programmes • To assess adult and paediatric strabismus patients pre and post operatively • To participate in a variety of ophthalmology clinics as required, including assessment of orthoptic and general ophthalmology patients • To undertake any other clinical duties as may reasonably be required and which are consummate with the skills and competencies of the post • To use auto-refraction in the diagnosis and management decisions for patients Service Development and Improvement • To adhere to all recognised protocols within the service • To participate in the development and implementation of service standards, guidelines and policies. Management and Leadership To attend and participate in departmental audit and staff meetings, professional clinical meetings, in-service training and other courses and conferences in order to maintain CPD and to improve and enhance personal knowledge and skills. To attend corporate and local induction and mandatory training in line with Trust policy. To participate in appraisal, performance and management processes and design a personal development plan in line with service and Trust strategy. To assist in the induction of new staff members. Communication and Relationship Building • To communicate clearly and efficiently with patients, parents, carers, health professionals, school staff and specialist support staff to ensure full understanding of clinical investigations and treatment • To acknowledge possible communication barriers such as language barriers, cultural and medical conditions, dementia, learning difficulties and literacy problems and to tailor advice and supporting information to the patient / client needs • To offer continued support and counselling to patients and/or carers at all stages of their diagnosis and treatment • To assess capacity, gain valid informed consent and have the ability to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment • To plan and undertake teaching sessions for all clinical staff, as required • To maintain lines of communication within the Orthoptic Team and within the wider multi-disciplinary setting Information Management • To maintain an accurate and timely record of clinical statistics relevant to the service and ensure that all data is recorded to reflect true activity levels • To undertake any required administrative duties required of the post holder • To ensure that local reporting and record keeping follows Trust and service protocols and standards. • To be competent in the use of information technology and have required IT skill • To liaise with external hospitals, GPs, other agencies in order to request up to date reports and notes for new patients as necessary General • To undertake and present clinical audit using research methodology and the evaluation of evidence based practice • To critically appraise and review current literature on relevant topics • To participate in Reflective Supervision Groups • To actively participate in any research being undertaken within the service and nationally • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of research relating to all aspects of Orthoptics, Ophthalmic and Optometric care • To undertake professional and educational activities to develop knowledge and ensure maintenance of professional / clinical standards. These could include reflective practice, external courses, internet based research, membership to professional groups and clinical update sessions. The use of AI is monitored and if you have used it then you are required to declare this, as well as what type of AI tools you have used and for what purpose. We reserve the right to further test your individual knowledge and skills in relation to the requirements for the post through robust and thorough interview and assessment.