Deputy Head Orthoptist - Walsall, United Kingdom - Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust

Verified Company

Walsall, United Kingdom

1 week ago

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

beBee Recruiter

Description

Applications are invited for this permanent part-time post (30 hours per week over 4 days to include Monday and Friday) to join a team of 6 Orthoptists, 2 orthoptic technicians and Consultant Ophthalmologists; one of whom is a Paediatric Ophthalmologist.

A diploma or degree in Orthoptics and state registration with the HCPC is essential.

The post holder will be expected to deputise for the Head orthoptist and take a lead in operational decision making.

This will include designing and implementing an Orthoptic visual screening programme for special schools within the borough of Walsall.

The post also covers clinical sessions in the acute unit at Walsall Manor Hospital and includes general Orthoptic adult / Paediatric Orthoptic and Ocular Motility clinics; Visual Field assessment, using the Goldmann perimeter and Humphrey Field Analyser.

Participation in primary and secondary orthoptic screening is also required.

To work in partnership with the Head Orthoptist in the delivery of the Orthoptic Service in Walsall.
To deputise for the Head Orthoptist
To take responsibility for Health & Safety within the Orthoptic Department
To design and implement Orthoptic Screening Programme in Special Schools.
To participate in primary and secondary orthoptic screening programmes.
To be jointly responsible for paediatric ophthalmology clinics.
To assess, diagnose, treat and manage paediatric and adult patients referred to the Orthoptic service in the acute unit; and to develop effective treatment plans.
To respond to referrals from, and make onward referrals to other health professionals, including Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Paediatricians and GPs; Other agencies, including Educational Support Services for the Visually Impaired and Social Services Visual Rehabilitation Teams.
To liaise with colleagues within the ophthalmology and paediatric teams.
Perform Visual Field testing on Humphrey and Goldmann perimeters on patients referred by ophthalmology or neurology specialties.
To demonstrate Orthoptics to other health professionals as required.

The Orthoptic team consists of 6 Orthoptists, 2 orthoptic technicians and 4 Optometrists.

By working together and combining our skills we are able to provide a comprehensive Orthoptic service within the acute unit; and a borough wide Orthoptic screening programme.

There are 2 departments within the acute unit: 1 in adult ophthalmology (route 007) and the other in paediatric out-patients (route 123) and the successful applicant will be expected to work in both sites.

Deputy Head Duties

To ensure efficient running of Orthoptic and technician clinics, highlighting capacity issues as they arise.
To work with the Head Orthoptist in the scheduling of Orthoptic clinics and service development including Paediatric Ophthalmology.
Responsible for Procurement using Integra system
To assist the Head Orthoptist in the recruitment process.
To monitor the Orthoptic and Paediatric Ophthalmology wait lists.
To support the Head Orthoptist in maintaining Health and Safety within the Orthoptic Department.
To support the Head Orthoptist in promoting quality and best practice

Clinical Lead for Special School and Secondary Screening

To design and implement Orthoptic Screening Programme in Special Schools.

Strategically plan, organise and initiate the development of Orthoptic screening programme in Special Schools.

Responsible for providing staff, professional patient care and clinical capacity for secondary orthoptic screening clinic held in primary care centres.

Autonomous Practitioner

To participate in the Orthoptic secondary screening programme for children being at increased risk of Orthoptic defects including Children attending special schools; and children referred by Health Visitors, School nurses, GPs and other health professionals.
To participate in the primary vision screening programme for children aged 45 years carried out in reception classes in schools. To identify children requiring onward referral to the HES or community optometrists.
To be legally and professionally responsible and accountable for the management of Orthoptic patients referred to the Orthoptic Service. To prioritise own clinical caseload and keep accurate contemporaneous records. This patient group comprises all cases of ocular motility defects and amblyopia, complex congenital and acquired cases, including neurological abnormalities, genetic disorders and associated ocular abnormalities.
To undertake pre and postoperative measurements of ocularmotility defects.

To discuss surgical options where appropriate with patients, parents, carers and surgeons and to identify surgical prognosis and risks based on clinical findings.

To assess, diagnose, treat and review the needs of the Orthoptic patients formulating individualised treatment plans for children and adult
To provide condition related information to patients, relatives and other medical staff and to counsel p