Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated Orthoptist to lead on the vision- screening services. They will also lead on our orthoptic-ledIdiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH) clinic and Adults with Learning Disabilities (ALD) clinic.
These clinics inolve a multidisplinary approach and will require the post holder to liaise with the wider team to optimise the care provided.
As part of general orthoptic duties the post-holder will work as an autonomous practitioner to assess, diagnose and manage any patients referred to the Orthoptic, Paediatric and Neuro-ophthalmologydepartments. The Orthoptic department is a highly specialised department that provides comprehensive, quality and specialised Orthoptic services to the Trust as part of a multi-disciplinary Ophthalmology Team.
Main duties of the job
a) To provide orthoptic leadership to the NHS Tower Hamlets Vision Screening Programme.b) To provide initial and ongoing education for the school nursing team who conduct vision screening in mainstream schools and provide guidance when required.c) Co-ordinate orthoptic and optometry delivered screening in Tower Hamlets Special schools and assessment with the Community Development Team.d) To produce regular audits of the service.e) Lead on the Adults with learning disabilities (ALD) clinic.f) Lead on the orthoptic-led Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH) clinic.g) Work as an autonomous practitioner to assess, diagnose and manage any patient referred to the Orthoptic Department.h) Participate in educational activities ran by and for the Orthoptic Department. This includes the teaching of pre-registration optometrists, medical undergraduates, junior doctors and other health care professionals, in addition to co-ordinating and teaching undergraduate orthoptic students
About us
Barts Health is one of the largest NHS trusts in the country, and one of Britain’s leading healthcare providers.
The Barts Health group of NHS hospitals is entering an exciting new era on our improvement journey to becoming an outstanding organisation with a world-class clinical reputation. Having lifted ourselves out of special measures, we now have the impetus and breathing space to chart a fresh course in which we are continually striving to improve all our services for patients.
Our vision is to be a high-performing group of NHS hospitals, renowned for excellence and innovation, and providing safe and compassionate care to our patients in east London and beyond. That means being a provider of excellent patient safety, known for delivering consistently high standards of harm-free care and always caring for patients in the right place at the right time. It also means being an outstanding place to work, in which our WeCare values and behaviours are visible to all and guide us in how we work together.
We strive to live by our WeCare values and are committed to promoting inclusion, where every staff member has a sense of belonging. We value our differences and fully advocate, cultivate and support an inclusive working environment.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To be responsible as an autonomous practitioner for the evaluation of visual acuity and visual behaviour in referrals from the specialist services.
To conduct a highly specialised orthoptic assessment that will require varied investigation techniques utilising different tests and then analysing and interpreting the test results and other patient factors that may impact on the diagnosis.
To include highly specialised documentation in the form of Hess Charts and Field of BSV which may influence the need for surgical intervention, thereby forming an integral role in the multi-disciplinary investigation, diagnosis and treatment of complex medical &/or trauma patients.
To be responsible for planning, implementing and monitoring individual Orthoptic treatment plans/care pathways for patients of all ages using advanced clinical reasoning and evidence based practice. These may be variable from several months to several years.
To assess patients results and act when they show instability or new clinical signs.
To conclude a diagnosis for Orthoptic patients.
To provide a treatment plan that enables each patient to obtain the best visual function including: visual acuity, binocularity, ocular alignment and cosmesis.
To consider the diagnosis, medical conditions and psychosocial factors in developing the treatment plan. Treatment plans may therefore include different methods of occlusion; use of glasses, contact lenses and other optical devices; orthoptic exercises; botulinum toxin and various surgical procedures.
To reassess and re-evaluate treatment plans on return appointments.
To undertake pre-operative and post-operative measurements of motility defects and to discuss the surgical options available. To identify the postoperative risks and communicate these effectively to both the surgeon and the patient/parent.
To assist the ophthalmologist with highly specialised adjustable suture strabismus surgery. This technique requires high levels of manual dexterity, accuracy and speed in combination with significant hand eye co-ordination.
To undertake, interpret and report automated and manual Perimetry using the Humphrey and Goldmann perimeters respectively.
To accurately assess and compare spectacle prescriptions using automated and manual focimetry.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To be responsible as an autonomous practitioner for the evaluation of visual acuity and visual behaviour in referrals from the specialist services.
To conduct a highly specialised orthoptic assessment that will require varied investigation techniques utilising different tests and then analysing and interpreting the test results and other patient factors that may impact on the diagnosis.
To include highly specialised documentation in the form of Hess Charts and Field of BSV which may influence the need for surgical intervention, thereby forming an integral role in the multi-disciplinary investigation, diagnosis and treatment of complex medical &/or trauma patients.
To be responsible for planning, implementing and monitoring individual Orthoptic treatment plans/care pathways for patients of all ages using advanced clinical reasoning and evidence based practice. These may be variable from several months to several years.
To assess patients results and act when they show instability or new clinical signs.
To conclude a diagnosis for Orthoptic patients.
To provide a treatment plan that enables each patient to obtain the best visual function including: visual acuity, binocularity, ocular alignment and cosmesis.
To consider the diagnosis, medical conditions and psychosocial factors in developing the treatment plan. Treatment plans may therefore include different methods of occlusion; use of glasses, contact lenses and other optical devices; orthoptic exercises; botulinum toxin and various surgical procedures.
To reassess and re-evaluate treatment plans on return appointments.
To undertake pre-operative and post-operative measurements of motility defects and to discuss the surgical options available. To identify the postoperative risks and communicate these effectively to both the surgeon and the patient/parent.
To assist the ophthalmologist with highly specialised adjustable suture strabismus surgery. This technique requires high levels of manual dexterity, accuracy and speed in combination with significant hand eye co-ordination.
To undertake, interpret and report automated and manual Perimetry using the Humphrey and Goldmann perimeters respectively.
To accurately assess and compare spectacle prescriptions using automated and manual focimetry.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Possession of a Bachelor of Science in Orthoptics BSc (Orth), BMedSci (Orthoptics) and/or a diploma from the British Orthoptic Council
- Registration with the Health Professions Council (HPC)
- Up to date proof of CPD in line with HPC guidelines
- Commitment to Continuing Professional Development
- BIOS Recognised Teaching Qualification
Experience/Knowledge
Essential
- Extensive experience in all areas of clinical orthoptics
- Experience in Humphrey and Goldmann visual field assessment
- Previously worked single-handed
- Teaching clinical orthoptic skills to undergraduate orthoptic students
- Teaching to other health care professionals e.g. pre-registration optometrists, school nurses and undergraduate medical students
- Experience in auditing procedures
- Experience working with children and adults with special needs and/or learning difficulties
- Paper and/or articles published in journals or newsletters
Desirable
- Experience working in a community orthoptic setting
- Knowledge of the Care Records System (CRS)
- Knowledge of the Patient’s Charter
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Possession of a Bachelor of Science in Orthoptics BSc (Orth), BMedSci (Orthoptics) and/or a diploma from the British Orthoptic Council
- Registration with the Health Professions Council (HPC)
- Up to date proof of CPD in line with HPC guidelines
- Commitment to Continuing Professional Development
- BIOS Recognised Teaching Qualification
Experience/Knowledge
Essential
- Extensive experience in all areas of clinical orthoptics
- Experience in Humphrey and Goldmann visual field assessment
- Previously worked single-handed
- Teaching clinical orthoptic skills to undergraduate orthoptic students
- Teaching to other health care professionals e.g. pre-registration optometrists, school nurses and undergraduate medical students
- Experience in auditing procedures
- Experience working with children and adults with special needs and/or learning difficulties
- Paper and/or articles published in journals or newsletters
Desirable
- Experience working in a community orthoptic setting
- Knowledge of the Care Records System (CRS)
- Knowledge of the Patient’s Charter
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab) .
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab) .
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab) .
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab) .
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
