▷ (Immediate Start) Orthoptist

Main Duties and Responsibilities

To work autonomously, but within professional boundaries, taking sole responsibility for the orthoptic assessment, diagnosis and treatment of all patients referred to the orthoptic department including eye casualty, child development centre, paediatrics, neurology, stroke, rehabilitation and maxillofacial services. This will include babies, children and adults varied medical conditions and neurological disorders some with severe visual defects as both inpatients and outpatients.

Carry out ocular motility assessment and measurement accurately, applying speed and dexterity with an approach that is sympathetic and acceptable to patients of all ages and abilities. Assessment of babies and children requires quick accurate observation and skilled interpretation.

Formulate individualised management and treatment plans using clinical reasoning and a wide range of treatment skills, which integrate scientific, medical and social aspects of patient care

Prioritise health problems and intervene appropriately to assist the patient in complex, urgent or emergency situations, including initiation of effective emergency care.

Undertake pre and post-operative measurements of ocular motility defects; discuss surgical options with the ophthalmologist; identify post-operative risks and discuss this with patients, parents or carer.

To assist surgeon in post-operative adjustable suture techniques. This requires accurate measurement to assist the surgeon with ocular alignment whilst the patient is under local anaesthesia.

To assess patients post-operative outcome and modify treatment accordingly.

Assess and interpret visual fields using the Humphrey visual field analyser and Goldman perimeter providing feedback and where required a summary of the results obtained to the referrer and other professionals.

As an autonomous practitioner, the post-holder will be responsible for the decision to instil drops for diagnostic and refraction purposes, the appropriate strength required and to advise patients of the side effects.

To administer medication in accordance with PGD, or under medical exemptions registration.

To instruct and negotiate the implementation of the care package with individual patients and their carers to ensure compliance, in such as to overcome ant barriers to understanding.

Provide motivational support for patients and parents undergoing prolonged and difficult treatments.

Ensure full and accurate documentation in patient notes of clinical history, physical examination, diagnosis and treatment plan.

To work as a part of a multi-disciplinary team consisting of Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Orthoptists, Ophthalmic technicians Nurses, and Clerks etc.

To take part in clinical audit.

To participate in clinical teaching to a wide range of professionals.

To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of techniques and technology and to attend appropriate training as part of our CPD (continuing professional development) and to be responsible for maintaining your own CPD folder.

To be responsible for managing and incorporating any unplanned workload in such a way as to minimise inconvenience to patients and maximise the smooth running of the Orthoptic and eye clinics.

To assist and provide internal cover for colleagues during periods of annual leave, sickness and vacancies.

To utilise a range of verbal and non-verbal (e.g. Makaton sign language) mechanisms in the assessment and communication of treatment plans to patients and parents to progress visual improvement. This will include patients who may have difficulties in understanding e.g. stroke victims, patients with a learning disability.

To be aware of barriers to communication and be able to overcome them effectively with for example: learning disabled parents; where English is not the first language; with patients with expressive language difficulties (stroke victims)

To tactfully explain the details of the medical condition which may be highly complex. This requires a holistic and tactful approach where patients or parents have no knowledge of the ocular defects associated with particular medical conditions and / or who have difficulty accepting the diagnosis.

To communicate initial potential diagnosis which may be of a distressing nature.

To liaise with the Head Orthoptist regarding problems arising.

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

To work autonomously, but within professional boundaries, taking sole responsibility for the orthoptic assessment, diagnosis and treatment of all patients referred to the orthoptic department including eye casualty, child development centre, paediatrics, neurology, stroke, rehabilitation and maxillofacial services. This will include babies, children and adults varied medical conditions and neurological disorders some with severe visual defects as both inpatients and outpatients.

Carry out ocular motility assessment and measurement accurately, applying speed and dexterity with an approach that is sympathetic and acceptable to patients of all ages and abilities. Assessment of babies and children requires quick accurate observation and skilled interpretation.

Formulate individualised management and treatment plans using clinical reasoning and a wide range of treatment skills, which integrate scientific, medical and social aspects of patient care

Prioritise health problems and intervene appropriately to assist the patient in complex, urgent or emergency situations, including initiation of effective emergency care.

Undertake pre and post-operative measurements of ocular motility defects; discuss surgical options with the ophthalmologist; identify post-operative risks and discuss this with patients, parents or carer.

To assist surgeon in post-operative adjustable suture techniques. This requires accurate measurement to assist the surgeon with ocular alignment whilst the patient is under local anaesthesia.

To assess patients post-operative outcome and modify treatment accordingly.

Assess and interpret visual fields using the Humphrey visual field analyser and Goldman perimeter providing feedback and where required a summary of the results obtained to the referrer and other professionals.

As an autonomous practitioner, the post-holder will be responsible for the decision to instil drops for diagnostic and refraction purposes, the appropriate strength required and to advise patients of the side effects.

To administer medication in accordance with PGD, or under medical exemptions registration.

To instruct and negotiate the implementation of the care package with individual patients and their carers to ensure compliance, in such as to overcome ant barriers to understanding.

Provide motivational support for patients and parents undergoing prolonged and difficult treatments.

Ensure full and accurate documentation in patient notes of clinical history, physical examination, diagnosis and treatment plan.

To work as a part of a multi-disciplinary team consisting of Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Orthoptists, Ophthalmic technicians Nurses, and Clerks etc.

To take part in clinical audit.

To participate in clinical teaching to a wide range of professionals.

To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of techniques and technology and to attend appropriate training as part of our CPD (continuing professional development) and to be responsible for maintaining your own CPD folder.

To be responsible for managing and incorporating any unplanned workload in such a way as to minimise inconvenience to patients and maximise the smooth running of the Orthoptic and eye clinics.

To assist and provide internal cover for colleagues during periods of annual leave, sickness and vacancies.

To utilise a range of verbal and non-verbal (e.g. Makaton sign language) mechanisms in the assessment and communication of treatment plans to patients and parents to progress visual improvement. This will include patients who may have difficulties in understanding e.g. stroke victims, patients with a learning disability.

To be aware of barriers to communication and be able to overcome them effectively with for example: learning disabled parents; where English is not the first language; with patients with expressive language difficulties (stroke victims)

To tactfully explain the details of the medical condition which may be highly complex. This requires a holistic and tactful approach where patients or parents have no knowledge of the ocular defects associated with particular medical conditions and / or who have difficulty accepting the diagnosis.

To communicate initial potential diagnosis which may be of a distressing nature.

To liaise with the Head Orthoptist regarding problems arising.

About us

Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.

Our Excellence Values

Compassion

Accountability

Respect

Integrity

Courage

We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.

We are a Defence positive trust, supporting our reservists, veterans, spouses and partners.

The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.

We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.

We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds.This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.

Education, Training and Qualifications

- Educated to degree level or equivalent level in orthoptics
- Registered with HCPC and preferably membership of The British and Irish Orthoptic Society
- Clinical Education qualification (practice and theory of Orthoptics)

Knowledge and Experience

- Knowledge of a range of ophthalmic conditions treated in paediatric ophthalmology, neuro-ophthalmology and adult motility clinics
- Worked successfully as part of multidisciplinary team and as an individual
- Demonstrable knowledge of visual field assessment using Humphrey and Goldmann Perimeters
- 1 year post registration experience

Skills

- Excellent interpersonal skills with particular ability to liaise effectively with multidisciplinary team members
- Must be self-motivated and have the ability to analyse clinical data and formulate management plans
- Moving and transferring patients
- Physically able to adapt orthoptic technique to meet the patients needs
- Computer Literacy
- Dealing with angry upset patients in a non-confrontational manner
- Ability to undertake administrational duties as appropriate
- Knowledge of quality issues
- Ability to cope with occasional exposure to bodily fluids and odour

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.

£38,682 to £46,580 a year pro rata / per annum

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