Orthoptist

At Epsom and St Helier Hospitals, we value respect. We put respect at the heart of all we do, by living up to our shared behaviours of kindness, professionalism, positivity and teamwork. This enables us to provide great patient care and make ESTH a great place to work. When you sign up to work with us, you sign up to this and we welcome applicants who share our values.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a newly qualified Orthoptist to join our team of 8 Orthoptists and 6 Optometrists at Epsom & St Helier. The successful candidate will work alongside a dedicated team of Ophthalmologists, Orthoptists, Optometrists, Nurses & Ophthalmic Technicians in a busy and supportive department. The post will involve working at both Epsom and St Helier Hospitals, and delivering vision screening in Merton with an interesting and varied caseload.

Main duties of the job

• The Orthoptist is an autonomous practitioner and is a specialist in the assessment of visual function in all age groups, and the diagnosis and management of defects of binocular vision and all ocular motility disorders.
• The post holder will provide a full Orthoptic service and assess, diagnose, manage and treat patients referred to the Orthoptic department from a variety of sources.
• Provide a full visual field service, reporting to the ophthalmic team and including fields for neurology, paediatric and adult oncology, general medicine and endocrinology.
• Work as part of a flexible team providing clinics on a number of sites as required by the Head Orthoptist.

KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical

• To act as an autonomous practitioner taking clinical responsibility for the effective diagnosis, treatment and management of own orthoptic caseload.
• This group comprises babies, children and adults of all ages referred from a wide range of specialities including paediatrics, neurology, stroke rehabilitation, A/E, G.P.’s and H.V.’s.
• The patient group frequently requires significant manual dexterity, speed and experience to ensure accurate results and measurements.
• The post holder will undertake visual field testing, performing both manual and automated perimetry.
• To undertake primary community vision screening when required.
• The post holder will contribute in departmental meetings to the formation of departmental treatment plans and discharge guidelines.

Organisational

• The post holder will take personal responsibility for accurate/informative record keeping of own patient caseload.
• The post holder will maintain and utilise Department and Trust Information systems currently in use and will ensure the accuracy of patient information held within Patient Administration Systems.
• The post holder will deal with enquiries that arise during the working day and liaise with the Head/Deputy Head Orthoptist where appropriate.

Professional

• The post holder will be accountable for their own clinical practice.
• The post holder will maintain continuous professional development by attending appropriate courses, by self-directed learning and reflective practices and by keeping an up to date knowledge of techniques and technology in line with the requirements of the HCPC.
• The post holder will respect patient and staff confidentiality at all times.

Teaching

• The postholder will assist with the teaching of Orthoptics to other professions including doctors, Medical students, optometrists, nurses and health visitors.

Communication

• The post holder will be expected to communicate effectively and sympathetically with patients of all ages and abilities and their parents and carers.
• This requires special skills where there are barriers to understanding such as deafness, learning difficulties, cognitive impairment, language or cultural barriers.

Person specification

• BSc or equivalent qualification in Orthoptics
• Registration with the HCPC
• Member of BIOS
• Newly qualified graduate ready for preceptorship programme
• Experience within NHS Orthoptics and Ophthalmology commensurate with registration placements
• Demonstrate sound clinical knowledge in a full range of orthoptic practice
• Excellent communication and inter-personal skills

Your recruitment team

The NHS South West London Recruitment Hub is your dedicated recruitment team, here to support you at every stage of the process.

Closing date

To help us manage recruitment efficiently, some vacancies may close early once we have received a sufficient number of applications.

Safeguarding and DBS Checks

We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. For roles with direct access to these groups, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be required.