Senior Orthoptist

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George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust opened in 1948 and provides a range of elective, non-elective, surgical, medical, women's, children's, diagnostic and therapeutic services to a population of more than 350,000 people.

The hub of the Trust is located on the outskirts of Nuneaton and its services cover a large footprint, including north Warwickshire, south west Leicestershire, and north Coventry. We also provide primary and community services across Coventry, Warwickshire and Leicestershire.

Our vision is "to EXCEL at patient care". If you think you've got what it takes, help us realise this and join #TeamEliot.

Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour aren't as likely to apply unless they meet every qualification of non specialist roles.

We're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive workplace, so if you're excited about this role and meet our values, but your experience doesn't align perfectly with everything in the Job Description or Person Specification- apply anyway or email the Recruiting Manager to discuss the role further

We are proud to support the Armed Forces community. We are a Veteran Aware and Reservist Friendly organisation and welcome applications from Veterans, Reservists, Cadet Instructors, and family members of serving personnel.

Job overview

Job Title-Senior Orthoptist

Hours per week-37.5 Hours per week

Perm/Fixed Term-Permanent

Salary-£43,742 - £50,056 per annum

Closing Date: 28th June 2024

Interview Date-8th July 2024

This post may close early due to high numbers of applications so you are advised to apply promptly.

All correspondence for this vacancy will be sent by email; please check your account regularly including your Junk and SPAM areas.

A great and friendly place to work, so bring your passion, commitment and expertise and enjoy the opportunities to make a difference every day.

Careers at George Eliot - 'Where you make a difference'

Main duties of the job

To lead and develop the Orthoptic led glaucoma service. To supervise and train Glaucoma Monitoring Team members both registered and unregistered staff.

Highly provide specialist assessment, diagnosis, treatment and advice to patients and their careers. The specialist area is glaucoma and requires the post-holder to work in advanced clinical practice.

In addition to leading the glaucoma service the post holder will provide comprehensive, high quality Orthoptic services as an autonomous practitioner and to work as an effective member of the cross-site Orthoptic team in the assessment, diagnosis, and management of adult and paediatric patients with ocular motility disorders and amblyopia referred from primary care, ophthalmologist, paediatrics, neurology, max-fax, A and E and stroke team.

To develop and monitor effective treatment plans using specialist skills based on clinical and analytical reasoning and using evidence-based practice. Be part of an interdependent, multidisciplinary team ensuring optimal patient care.

Working for our organisation

Here at George Eliot our vision to 'excel at patient care' takes centre stage. An ever evolving clinically-led acute service provider we are on a journey to continually provide high quality, safe and responsive services delivered by inspiring, friendly and compassionate staff who share our corporate values which underpin everything we do. Our values are not just words on a piece of paper, they bond us together, reflect our ambition and shape who we are:

Effective Open Communication

excellence and safety in everything we do

Challenge but support

Expect respect and dignity

Local health that inspires confidence

Benefits: On-site nursery, 27 days minimum annual leave plus bank holidays, cycle to work scheme, flexible working, extensive in-house course learning directory, buying and selling of annual leave, subsidised restaurant, tranquillity garden and generous subsidised on-site parking

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical
• To provide high quality, comprehensive and highly specialised clinical services as a highly specialised autonomous practitioner within the extended role of the Orthoptist.
• Integrate into the multi-disciplinary Ophthalmology Team informing other professionals of Orthoptic findings and work as part of a team to maximise the patient's potential.
• Audit the Glaucoma monitoring service to ensure best practice is followed, according to up-to-date research.
• Develop glaucoma monitoring departmental protocols and patient information leaflets.
• Assist the Head Orthoptist in the future planning and development of the Orthoptic Service in line with patient need and Trust Wide developments.
• Train and mentor Glaucoma monitoring team.
• Providing leadership, development, and governance in relation to the clinical area and supporting other clinicians regarding patient treatment and management.
• Function as Advanced Practitioner leading the Glaucoma Monitoring Service providing leadership, and support, in relation to clinical care to orthoptists and orthoptic assistants.
• To work as an advanced practitioner in the community/ hospital setting (as appropriate) without immediate supervision.
• Work within codes of practice, professional guidelines broad occupational policies and organisational standards of practice.
• Be professionally accountable for all aspects of your own work, within the context of an autonomous practitioner.
• Initiate and lead specific projects as required.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• BSc (Hons) Orthoptics or BMedSc (Hons) Orthoptics or diploma equivalent
• Registration with HCPC
• Continued Professional Development evidence

Desirable criteria

• Membership of the British & Irish Orthoptic Society
• Management/ Leadership training
• Teaching/ Clinical Supervision Qualification

Experience

Essential criteria

• Evidence of post registration clinical experience in all aspects of Orthoptics including paediatrics, neuro-orthoptics, adult motility, visual screening and stroke/rehabilitation services.
• Clinical/ Managerial skills at minimum Band 6 level

Skills & Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Able to accurately perform a full range of core and extended-role orthoptic skills
• Able to communicate complex and sensitive information effectively
• Able to work autonomously and as a member of a team
• Able to lead and motivate others
• Ability to undertake audit and assessment of practice.
• Knowledge of NHS issues and trends
• Computer Literacy

Personal Qualities

Essential criteria

• Positive, proactive and enthusiastic attitude
• Works to high standards
• Flexible and adaptable to differing work patterns
• Good Communication abilities

Please note:

George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust utilises a third party recruitment system (TRAC). When applying via NHS Jobs, your submitted application will be imported into TRAC where all subsequent information regarding your application will be generated. You will not be able to track the progress of your application or receive messages via the NHS Jobs website. Furthermore, as an employer, we will not be able to respond to any emails/messages sent to us via the NHS Jobs website.

By applying for this post you are consenting to George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system, TRAC.

The Job application data you provide will be used to assess your application for employment at GEH, to verify your information and conduct reference checks, and to communicate with you. If you accept employment with GEH, the information collected will become part of your employment record and will be used for employment purposes.

All information provided will be used for recruitment purposes only and processed in a lawful, fair and transparent manner.

Other:

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of individuals and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of our safe recruitment practice, if appropriate for the role, it is a mandatory requirement for all newly appointed staff to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service application.

In response to NICE guidance and to support the reduction of health harm from tobacco, the Trust has a smoke-free site policy which applies to anyone on Trust sites. Staff who smoke will be supported to quit or not smoke whilst on Trust sites.

George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust is committed to creating and sustaining a positive and inclusive working environment for all our employees as they are at the heart of our patients journey. Our aim is to ensure that employees are equally valued, respected, empowered and included within an organisation that is representative of all members of the community. We define diversity as valuing everyone as an individual - taking pride in that we value employees, job applicants, students, volunteers, patients and visitors as people. This is reflected within our excel behaviours with a vision to create a workplace that represents a culture of kindness, joy and inclusion.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

• Senior orthop JD (PDF, 664.5KB)
• Senior orthop PS (PDF, 344.6KB)
• Senior orthop FRF (PDF, 688.5KB)
• GE Hospital Staff Campaign Interactive (PDF, 1.9MB)
• Functional Requirements (PDF, 620.0KB)