Orthoptist Advanced

Job overview

Due to an internal secondment we have an opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated Orthoptist to join our dynamic team here at King's College Hospital Denmark Hill. We also provide paediatric services at University Hospital Lewisham.

Optical services is a team of 10 orthoptists, 10 optometrists, 4 ACPs, 2 ophthalmic practitioners , an orthoptic assistant and an ECLO. We support support to all ophthalmic specialities especially ophthalmology, including paediatrics, neuro, emergency, cornea, retina, uveitis, glaucoma and oculo-plastics services. The team also provide specialist services in trauma, low vision, stroke, contact lens and post-op cataract.

This is a 12 month posting, we would be keen to receive applications from dedicated orthoptists who are interested in joining our friendly team.

Main duties of the job

• To work autonomously as an Orthoptist managing a wide and complex clinical caseload.

• To provide a high quality and comprehensive Orthoptic service.

• To ensure, individually and as part of the team, the effective and efficient running of the Orthoptic and Ophthalmology service.

• To develop extended roles, including intravitreal injecting.

• To deliver teaching and competency based learning programs for Ophthalmic colleagues and Orthoptic undergraduates

Working for our organisation

King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of £1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King’s to another level.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King’s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone’s contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust’s carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Orthoptic Assessment and Patient Care

• Take sole responsibility for orthoptic assessment of your own specific workload, covering a wide, varied, and complex patient group.

• Be responsible for the appropriate onward referral of orthoptic patients and prioritise referrals based on clinical findings and need.

• Conclude an orthoptic diagnosis supported by sound investigative techniques, using problem-solving and advanced analytical skills.

• Develop treatment plans for individual patients (orthoptic, ophthalmic, optical, and surgical).

• Provide advice and support to patients and relatives regarding visual problems.

• Assess patients pre-operatively and discuss with the ophthalmologist the need for surgical intervention, timing of surgery, risks and benefits, type of surgery, and alternative treatment options.

• Assess patients post-operatively and carry out appropriate treatment.

• Assist the ophthalmologist with adjustable suture strabismus surgery within the ward environment.

• Discharge patients or organise appropriate onward referral for their ongoing care.

• At all times, observe safe working practices and equipment procedures that comply with legislative requirements and health and safety regulations.

• Dispense medication using medical exemptions.

• Deal with accidents, untoward occurrences, and complaints according to accepted procedures.

• Ensure the safety of patients, visitors, and staff and report all outpatient hazards.

• Respect patients’ privacy, dignity, gender, sexuality, and have due regard to patients’ cultural and religious beliefs.

Communication and Representation

• Write appropriate patient records and hospital case notes.

• Liaise with other members of the multidisciplinary team to ensure information regarding treatment, outcomes, diagnoses, and discharge summaries are appropriately communicated.

• Liaise with the referrer, on-call ophthalmologist, or early referral service regarding onward care of the patient.

• Liaise with other departments (including admissions, medical records, and wards), ensuring effective and efficient communication and work practices.

• Work with the community visual impairment team to ensure all patients access appropriate services.

• Deal with patients in a sensitive manner and act with empathy, tact, and understanding, especially with those who have highly complex medical and ophthalmological conditions.

• Be sensitive to patients’ cultural identity and overcome language and other barriers to understanding (e.g., hearing or visual impairment, learning difficulties).

• Actively participate in and positively contribute to departmental meetings, discussing operational aspects of the department and setting agreed standards for orthoptic care.

Person specification

Skills

Essential criteria

• Able to work autonomously in respect of standard clinical work and under supervision for more complex procedures
• Ability to handle difficult situations.

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of electronic patient administration systems.

Experience

Essential criteria

• Orthoptic experience in paediatrics and adults

Desirable criteria

• Being involved in service development

Qualifications & Regsitration

Essential criteria

• Degree in Orthoptics
• HCPC registration

Desirable criteria

• Postgraduate study (MSc level or equivalent)

IMPORTANT

• Check your email account regularly as this is how we will communicate with you
• If you delete the job from any of your accounts, you may be prevented from accessing further communications
• To enquire about your application or inform us of any changes in your circumstances, please contact the named person on this advert
• Please provide email addresses for referees where possible
• Please review the documentation on our recruitment microsite, particularly the Trust’s criminal records checking policy
• All staff have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and for ensuring they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.
• Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. On occasion, we might close a vacancy early due to a high number of applications being received. You are advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

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