Specialist Optometrist / Specialist Practitioner in Ophthalmology in Grimsby

Could you be our new Specialist Optometrist or Advanced Practitioner at Newmedica Lincolnshire? Are you an experienced, highly motivated Optometrist, Orthoptist or Ophthalmic Nurse who thrives on the challenges of providing great quality care to our new and review patients? Do you want to deliver patient care as part of a highly motivated team delivering outstanding services in a cutting edge environment with the latest innovative devices? If so, you could be exactly who we are looking for to join our friendly and dedicated team!

We are looking for an enthusiastic, highly skilled, non-medical practitioner to deliver patient care across our new patient and post operative cataract service, glaucoma service and medical retina service. You will already have significant experience and further qualification in an ophthalmic speciality, and training can be provided in other areas if required. If you have a desire to provide outstanding patient care, a thirst for knowledge, and the drive to be the best practitioner you can be, then this could be the job for you!

We are proud to provide NHS and private ophthalmology services to the communities of Greater Lincolnshire, Humber area and the East Riding of Yorkshire. Our services are rated Good by the CQC and we have an amazing multi-professional team providing a range of services across our two sites.

Main duties of the job

• To perform a comprehensive range of diagnostic procedures and clinical assessments, working autonomously and making clinical decisions using own judgement and initiative, within own scope of practice.
• To analyse and interpret specialist diagnostic test results.
• To identify new or deteriorating conditions and carry out relevant tests and refer to a Consultant or Non-Consultant Doctor, as appropriate.
• To advise patients on the appropriate care for their eye conditions.
• To explain the implications of eye conditions, treatment options, medication and possible side effects to patients, some of whom may be distressed or confused.
• To ensure that patient confidentiality is maintained at all times.
• To ensure that evidence based clinical standards of care to patients are achieved.
• To ensure the delivery of agreed quality standards, taking any necessary action to remedy shortcomings in services that contribute to patient care.
• To be responsible for ensuring the safe use of specialist equipment in own field of practice.

About us

Newmedica is one of the leading providers of NHS-funded and private ophthalmology services in England. Our Purpose is to change lives through better sight and eye health. Our Vision is to end avoidable sight loss in every community we serve. We provide services for NHS ICBs, NHS Trusts and other providers of NHS funded services. We deliver thousands of patient interactions annually, including outpatient appointments, diagnostic testing and eye surgery. Our services are delivered mainly through Ophthalmology Joint Venture (OJV) Partnerships. We have an ambition to significantly grow the business and create a national brand. We are looking for people excited by our agenda and who demonstrate our company values and behaviours (Commercial, Courageous, Compassion, Collaborative and Curious).

Job responsibilities

• To keep accurate patient health records, including archiving and other requirements of record keeping, and write to GPs and other professionals regarding patient progress and outcomes.
• To support senior staff in the investigation of complaints and clinical incidents, ensuring that any investigations are thorough and that action plans are completed to enable lessons to be learned and shared.
• To ensure that infection risks are identified and acted upon.

Professional Duties

• To work within the requirements of the code of practice and standard of the College of Optometrists and GOC / BIOS / HCPC.
• To be responsible for and demonstrate commitment to Continuing Professional Development and Clinical Governance.
• To participate in training and development of clinical and other groups of staff.
• To actively participate in the appraisal process.
• To participate in clinical audit and research projects, as required.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• MCOptom specialist optometry degree, or BSc(Hons) in Ophthalmic Optics or Optometry, BMedSci (Hons) Orthoptics or equivalent qualification essential.
• Independent prescribing (IP) qualification or working towards.
• Additional postgraduate specialist or equivalent experience required i.e. Higher Certificate in Glaucoma or Medical Retina.
• Demonstrable minimum of 2 years experience in slit lamp and volk assessment performed on a regular basis.
• Current registration with GOC, HCPC or NMC essential.

Experience

• Knowledge of clinical practice and demonstrable knowledge of developments in optometry and advancing practice required.
• Experience of and commitment to medical audit.
• Comfortable with Microsoft Office products and using computerised systems for data input/output and review.
• Capable of seeing 22 patients during a clinic day, forming and adapting management plans.

Skills and Additional Responsibilities

SKILLS & PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Enjoys the routine and rhythm of a process driven environment.
• Able to balance working independently with appropriate escalation and delegation.
• Committed to delivering consistently high standards of specialist ophthalmic diagnostic tests using complex equipment.
• Applies analytical and logical thinking to verify expected outcomes.
• Actively seeks continuous professional development.
• Highly self-motivated to provide an excellent level of communication and individual care for patients.
• Comfortable making a significant contribution, including teaching and training, in a small multi-disciplinary team.
• Awareness of nuances of healthcare provision in a business setting and empowering patients to choose the healthcare options most suitable for them.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Actively promote and market Newmedica and present a positive image of the Company and its activities both within and outside the Healthcare environment.
• Ensure the quality standards and performance measures applying to the work of the section are met and facilitate continuous improvements in all aspects of the post.
• Undergo any self-development and training as necessary for success in the role and provide support and development for others where appropriate.
• Carry out any duties at all times in accordance with the Company’s policies including Equality and Diversity and Health and Safety.
• Promote by positive example both internally and externally, the purpose and vision of Newmedica.
• Undertake all responsibilities in adherence with Newmedica Policies and Protocols for Infection, Prevention and Control.
• Undertake any other responsibilities commensurate with the grade of the post, which the principal or their senior management representative may from time to time require.

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.