Orthoptist

Driven by our Trust values: Honesty, Empathy, Ambition, Respect; the Trust's vision is to provide high quality care to the diverse communities we serve to make their lives better. We are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Our cultural diversity, long term conditions and disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ staff networks are a key part of this commitment, creating positive change and helping build an inclusive culture across the Trust. Different ideas, experiences and backgrounds make us stronger and more creative and applications from all walks of life are welcomed - our processes ensure that all applicants are treated fairly at every stage of the recruitment process. Options for flexible working are considered for all roles within CCS, including job share opportunities, compressed hours, annualised hours, tailored working patterns and more. If you are interested in flexible working, please talk to the recruiting manager for this vacancy., We are looking for a Band 5 Orthoptist to join our established community team in Bedfordshire and Luton. We need: 1. A motivated Orthoptist who is willing to work flexibly 2. An Orthoptist who is looking to develop their clinical knowledge and skills You should: 1. hold a degree or diploma in orthoptics, 2. be registered with the HCPC 3. be a member of the British and Irish Orthoptic Society. Our team covers community clinics including paediatric orthoptic, special school and child development. Our orthoptists work closely with and learn from consultants and specialist paediatric staff employed by Moorfields Eye Hospital and Bedfordshire Hospitals (L&D). We provide orthoptic support for hospital paediatric, adult motility clinics, Goldmann perimetry, Stroke and Glaucoma clinics with Ophthalmic Consultants. The department also participates in NIHR registered Moorfields research studies., As a service we provide: Preceptorship for newly qualified Orthoptists Mentoring Continued Professional Development including in house training and external courses Opportunities to shadow and work within Goldmann, Stroke, Glaucoma, Special schools and Research clinics Regular team meetings and safeguarding supervision The orthoptic department is also committed to teaching undergraduate orthoptic students. You will be based in the community at either Liverpool Road Health Centre, Luton, or Kempston Health Centre, Bedford with a requirement to travel frequently to Bedfordshire Hospital sites (Bedford and Luton) and community clinics throughout Bedfordshire.Working for our organisation Rated 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission, we are proud to provide high quality innovative services across most of the east of England that enable people to receive care closer to home and live healthier lives. There's one reason why our services are outstanding - and that's our amazing staff - who, for the seventh year running, rated us incredibly highly in the national staff survey. If you share our passion for innovative and high-quality care delivery, then please submit your application and join us on our exciting journey as a leading-edge specialist community provider. All are welcome to apply and our promise to you is a culture which prioritises staff engagement and development., To assist in the delivery of the Orthoptic Service, providing a high standard of care, undertaking a range of professional duties and working in a variety of areas in both acute and community settings across Bedfordshire, maintaining clinical and professional quality standards at all times. To assess, diagnose, treat and manage adult and children patients referred to the Orthoptic service. To take sole responsibility to determine the clinical diagnosis and formulate relevant treatment plans in conjunction with ophthalmologists and other health care professionals. To take responsibility for one or more clinical bases, liaising with administrative and optometric staff as required., 1. To be professionally responsible and accountable for the management of Orthoptic patients in Bedfordshire as an autonomous practitioner. 2. To assess, diagnose, treat and manage (including discharge when clinically appropriate) the patients referred to the Community Eye Service. These include Paediatric visual disorders (squint, amblyopia, and reduced visual responses), ocular motility disorders, other ophthalmic conditions and congenital developmental abnormalities. 3. To formulate specialist individualised management and treatment plans using advanced clinical reasoning and a wide range of treatment skills. 4. To assess patients pre- and post-operatively and discuss surgery options with the Consultant Ophthalmologist. To identify the opportune timing of surgery and discuss post-operative risks with the patients, carers, and surgeon. The degree of surgery will be based on the Orthoptic measurements. To assist the surgeon in postoperative adjustable suture techniques. This requires accurate measurement to assist the surgeon with ocular alignment while the patient is under local anesthetic. 5. To diagnose and treat children with special needs in community and multidisciplinary clinics and special schools. The caseload will include children with complex neurological disorders, high level medical needs, autistic spectrum disorders and sensory impairment. Close liaison with other members of multidisciplinary team/early years contributes to the management of the 'whole' child. When patients are wheelchair-bound and with young children it is necessary to adapt tests, be mobile and work at awkward angles at times. 6. To take responsibility for advising patients, relatives, and carers of the prognosis regarding their eye condition, including visual outcomes, squint surgery and any possible complications. Informing relevant clinicians and members of the multidisciplinary team where needed. Patients may have very complex medical problems requiring a high level of neurological and medical understanding to manage the case effectively prioritising ophthalmic care as required. 7. To support/advise the Orthoptic Support Workers (OSW) providing the 4-5 year school vision screening service. 8. To promote the need for early intervention and treatment of childhood eye problems. 9. To offer advice and support in the clinic and over the telephone, and deal with queries from patients, carers and other health professionals. 10. Assess, diagnose and manage children presenting with visually related reading difficulties seeking advice from the Orthoptic Team Leader where necessary. 11. Undertake specialised assessment of patients admitted to the Stroke ward. Determine the presence of any ophthalmological conditions and manage as required, liaising with ward staff and Ophthalmologists as appropriate. Organise patient referral and follow up as needed. Provide the patient and other health professionals with information to maximise rehabilitation potential and adapt to visual symptoms. 12. To contribute to Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for patients with Special Educational needs when required 13. To triage new referrals prioritising their urgency. 14. To direct referrals appropriately to the Consultant Ophthalmologist, Specialist Optometrist or the Orthoptist Team Leader. 15. To analyse, diagnose, and formulate treatment plans for patients with complex ocular movement disorders referred by Consultant Ophthalmologists and Acute referrals at Moorfields at Bedford and Luton and Dunstable Hospital trusts. 16. To analyse patients referred from other medical specialists, to make an Orthoptic diagnosis and contribute to the multidisciplinary care plan. 17. To assess and interpret visual fields using Goldmann Field Perimeter using knowledge of the visual pathway and to forward the results to the appropriate medical and surgical teams e.g., Neurology teams at local acute trusts, tertiary centres and DVLA. 18. To maintain and check current and discharged clinical records on SystmOne. 19. To work independently in busy community children's clinics within professional guidelines and Orthoptic competencies, referring selected patients for ophthalmic/optometric care. 20. To provide support for the Orthoptist Team Leaders and: a. Act as a deputy in her absence b. Assist in the monitoring and maintenance, development and implementation of professional and organisational quality standardsPlanning 1. To prioritise and organise own clinical caseload 2. To be responsible for booking patient appointments and related administration at single-handed peripheral community paediatric Orthoptic clinics on SystmOne, (S1) and ensuring compliance with 18 week criteria for initial appointments. 3. To organise additional sessions as required and take responsibility for the quality of the service in peripheral clinics in Bedfordshire. 4. To plan and organise joint Ophthalmic and Orthoptic community clinics across Bedfordshire. 5. To formulate joint ophthalmic/orthoptic treatment plans for complex cases with the Specialist Optometrist /Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon giving an informed professional opinion.Policy development: To contribute to the improvement of the service and development of agreed policies and guidelines.Information Resources: 1. To collate statistics and submit in a timely manner 2. To have a good standard of computer skills and adhere to the Trust IT policy. 3. To maintain accurate contemporaneous patient records in line with the Records Keeping Policy 4. To respond to requests for data and information following Trust procedures., 1. To communicate condition-related information, including the diagnosis and its implications to patients, relatives and carers, especially where this may have a major impact e.g. a child is partially sighted or blind. This may require explanation of clinical information to those who have difficulty understanding i.e. learning difficulties, hearing problems, stroke, emotional problems, people with a high level of anxiety i.e. with sudden onset double vision and those who use English as a second language. 2. To liaise with and provide detailed medical information to all members of the Community Eye Service and other professions as necessary in order to establish a high quality co-ordinated Service, e.g. Education, other health care professionals, GP's and Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO). 3. To gain informed consent and compliance for assessment and treatment by negotiation and encouragement for children and adults of all ages and abilities. 4. To communicate effectively by transferring patient information and records (in accordance with local Information Governance processes) in a timely and organised manner when patients transfer between North, South and Mid Bedfordshire clinics, into acute ophthalmic services at Moorfields at Bedford Hospital or Luton and Dunstable Hospital or child development multidisciplinary centres. 5. To communicate with parents/carers to give an understanding of the clinical processes, the diagnosis and aims of treatment signposting to other sources of information as required 6. To deal with tasks on SystmOne liaising with admin and clinical colleagues as required 7. The assessment of patients involves a high level of concentration for the duration of the assessment. During that time, the Orthoptist may be disturbed, often by telephone calls, a member of the ophthalmology team, receptionists or another Orthoptist regarding a variety of matters. 8. There is often a requirement to impart upsetting news to parents/carers regarding the discovery of very poor sight in one or both of their child's eyes, along with the appropriate course of treatment which can be distressing to parents. There is also the requirement to inform patients and parents/carers of the need for a surgical procedure and complications. Patients with incurable double vision need to be advised of the fact that their condition cannot be cured and is unlikely to change. They may no longer be eligible to drive 9. There is occasional exposure to safeguarding children issues and to terminally ill patients whose eye condition may be one of the first signs of deterioration e.g. brain tumour - the Orthoptist is often asked by the patient if it is connected to their illness. Also occasional exposure to otherwise healthy patients whose eye condition is the presenting symptom e.g. multiple sclerosis. Key Relationships:

• Orthoptists and Ophthalmologists across Bedfordshire in all clinical settings
• Patients, relatives and carers
• Administration staff at all bases
• Local Optometrists
• 0-19 years teams (School nurses, Health Visitors)
• GPs
• Multi-disciplinary teams
• The team in the Health Hub
Budgetary Responsibilities 1. To be responsible for the care of clinical equipment, to report any faults and ensure adequate stock levels are maintained. 2. To identify and order clinical supplies as agreed with the Orthoptist Team Leader, liaising with the buying department & submit invoices for payment Please see attached JD & PS for more details Certificate of Sponsorship For roles that are eligible for sponsorship, applications from job seekers who require Skilled Worker Visa to work in the UK are welcome, and will be considered alongside all other applications. You are strongly advised to visit Check if you need a UK Visa website (Opens in a new tab), and familiarise yourself with what is required which should assist you in your understanding of the process 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. (Opens in a new tab) UK Registration For roles that require professional registration, applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new tab) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Our safe recruitment pre-employment checks are undertaken before an appointment is confirmed and may include a DBS check. Where the role requires you to drive, we'll ask you to validate your driving licence online via the DVLA. In submitting an application, you authorise Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust to confirm any previous NHS service details via the Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process should you be appointed. ALL CORRESPONDENCE will be via the e-mail address on your application form. If you have not been invited to interview within 2 weeks of the closing date, you unfortunately haven't been successful on this occasion, but keep an eye on our vacancies as a job that's just right for you may appear!