Specialist Orthoptist

Main area Orthoptics Grade NHS AfC: Band 6 Contract Fixed term: 12 months (Maternity Cover until January 2027) Hours Full time – 37.5 hours per week Job ref 331-L19090925

Site Royal Lancaster Infirmary/ Westmorland General Hospital Town Lancaster/Kendal Salary £38,682 – £46,580 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 02/10/2025 23:59

Creating a great place to be cared for and a great place to work

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay has a firm commitment to strengthening the diversity of our workforce, and therefore welcome and encourage applications from likeminded people who can support our ambition to become effortlessly inclusive. We are particularly keen to hear from protected groups – including BAME, LGBT+ and people with a disability.

Job overview

We have a vacancy for a Fixed Term Specialist Orthoptist, this post is to cover Maternity Leave until January 2027. You will work independently as an autonomous practitioner providing flexible and patient centred care.

You will be responsible for managing a caseload of patients with a range of frequently complex conditions, appropriate to specialist knowledge and skill level and experience.

Main duties of the job

• The post holder will work independently as an autonomous practitioner providing flexible and patient centred care
• To be responsible for managing a caseload of patients with a range of frequently complex conditions, appropriate to specialist knowledge and skill level and experience.
• The post holder will take responsibility for the management of their own caseload without direct supervision, whilst continuing to develop specialist clinical skills, knowledge and experience as identified in the post holder’s Performance and Development Plan (PDP).
• To support the implementation of service improvement and developments within the Trust Orthoptic service
• The post holder will undertake clinical and department support duties.

Working for our organisation

We operate from three main hospitals – Furness General Hospital (FGH) in Barrow, the Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI), and Westmorland General Hospital (WGH) in Kendal, as well as a number of community healthcare premises including Millom Hospital and GP Practice, Queen Victoria Hospital in Morecambe, and Ulverston Community Health Centre.

FGH and the RLI have a range of General Hospital services, with full Emergency Departments, Critical/Cardiovascular Care units and various Consultant-led services.

WGH provides a range of General Hospital services, together with an Urgent Treatment Centre, that can help with a range of non-life threatening conditions such as broken bones and minor illnesses.

All three main hospitals provide a range of planned care including outpatients, diagnostics, therapies, day case and inpatient surgery. In addition, a range of local outreach services and diagnostics are provided from community facilities across Morecambe Bay.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical :

To work within and adhere to the British and Irish Orthoptic Society (BIOS) Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, The Health Professions Council (HPC) standards of practice, the Trust policies and guidelines as an autonomous Orthoptist.

To be responsible for and manage one’s own caseload working as an autonomous practitioner.

To undertake comprehensive and specialized Orthoptic assessments of paediatric and adult clients, where there can be significant barriers to communication and understanding e.g. significant neurological disorders, learning difficulties or complex multiple disabilities.

Examples of such patients include assessment of stroke patients during rehabilitation, and complex paediatric patients where specialist expertise is required for their assessment.

To use advanced clinical reasoning and assessment skills to provide an accurate diagnosis and an indication of likely outcome.

To formulate and carry out individual and agreed treatment plans based on an in-depth knowledge of evidence-based practice respecting individuality.

To reassess patient progress and alter treatment plans as necessary.

To provide condition-related information to patients/carers and other medical staff in an empathic manner. This information may be of a sensitive nature and will need to be phrased so that there is full understanding of the condition and treatment plan agreed.

To demonstrate highly developed physical skills including significant manual dexterity and speed, especially when assessing young children and in infants to ensure accuracy.

To refer on to other members of the multi-disciplinary team, including consultants as necessary.

To determine possible diagnosis , prognosis and management of those patients where the clinical signs and symptoms do not always fall into particular categories , and/or where information is limited / unavailable, which requires good analytical skills.

To encourage and counsel children having difficulty complying with agreed treatment plans – for example poor compliance with glasses and/or occlusion therapy, which requires excellent communication and negotiating skills.

To assess patients pre and post-operatively, and when required, to assist the surgeon by providing detailed measurement and assessment data e.g. during adjustable suture procedures, leading to the optimum surgical outcome for patients.

To participate in and manage specific clinics in the provision of the secondary community Orthoptic screening service, and to arrange onward referral to the Consultant Ophthalmologist as appropriate . Prioritisation of the referral is based on the results of the Orthoptic assessment.

To provide written reports, recommendations and discharge letters to health professionals, educational professionals and patient / carers in accordance with Trust policy and procedure.

To contribute to development of policies for the service.

To contribute to Health and Safety and Risk Management within the service, including the completion of risk assessments.

To be aware of barriers to communication; for example, those with expressive language difficulties (stroke patients) and those where English is not the first language and to overcome them effectively.

To exercise effective personal time management and punctuality.

To demonstrate own record keeping standards in accordance with Orthoptic professional standards of practice and report any non-compliance by others to Orthoptic team management.

• To keep a record of evidence of training and development activities and reflective practice in a professional portfolio to a standard required by the HPC, demonstrating on-going personal professional development through participation in internal and external development opportunities.

To undertake relevant continuing professional development activities to meet your Performance and Development Plan (focusing on development of both clinical and leadership knowledge and skills) and complete Trust annual mandatory training, and specific Orthoptic annual updates as identified with your appraiser.

To be responsible for personal written and electronic clinical record keeping in accordance with Trust, Division and British and Irish Orthoptic Society guidelines.

To take part in an annual Development review leading to the production of a Personal Development plan linked to KSF.

To keep up to date with current evidence and research in order to maintain and develop practice in line with best practice.

To participate in teaching and advising other Health Professionals to ensure provision of good patient care.

To participate in training of Orthoptic students/work placement students and other health professionals where required

To broaden research and development skills through participation in audits and research projects within and outside the Trust.

To promote awareness of the Orthoptic role within the Trust and to other agencies, providing support and education e.g. presentations to groups within and outside the Trust

Department operational management

To undertake delegated tasks in the maintenance of work areas, including the safe use of equipment and storage of materials, complying with health, safety and manufacturers’ guidelines and report non-compliance to Team Manager for Orthoptics.

In the absence of the Team Manager for Orthoptics (Band 7 ):- to manage day to day operational issues for staff and caseload allocation e.g. planning work routines, staffing levels (reporting problems), monitoring work areas, reporting of clinical and staff incidents and theft, loss or damage.

Provide feedback in a positive manner at the Orthoptic staff meeting on relevant clinical and departmental issues contributing own ideas to problem solving solutions.

To be responsible for maintaining stock and advising on resources required to carry out the job

To ensure cost effective use of resource allocation for materials, advising the Clinical Service Manager for Orthoptics of any proactive action required .

To participate in, and comment on the delivery of Division business plan, Trust Orthoptic Business plan, and Orthoptic service delivery improvement and development.

As experience is achieved in the post, to take an active role in proposing changes in work practice and procedures to improve service delivery and benefits to patients through discussion with the Orthoptic management team.

Equality and diversity

To form professional relationships with patients / carers / family members which may be in distressing circumstances, and who may exhibit challenging behaviour , and communicate with them in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture.

To take account of the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of patients and their contribution to the provision of a service sensitive to these patients’ needs.

Leadership, Supervision and Appraisal

In line with Trust guidelines, review and reflect on your own practice and performance through effective use of clinical and operational supervision, annual Appraisal and Development Review and mid-term review, linked to a Performance and Development Plan (PDP).

Achieve the KSF outline dimensions levels and indicators required for the post at Foundation gateway and Second gateway.

To undertake the clinical guidance of Band 5 Orthoptists and support staff as delegated by a senior member of Orthoptic staff

Demonstrate and develop leadership skills: lead by example, report problems and contribute to proactive action, be innovative, be guided by vision, strategies, goals and values, exhibit positive behaviour to influence staff participation, take responsibility when things go wrong in the Orthoptic service, celebrate Orthoptic staff achievements, give credit and praise to staff, develop mutual confidence within the Orthoptic service.

Person specification

Education & Qualifications

• Member of HPC professional registered body
• Diploma or Degree in Orthoptics approved by the British and Irish Orthoptic Society. (For staff who trained pre 1994 a Degree in Orthoptics was not available – either qualification is acceptable for this post)
• Membership of the British and Irish Orthoptic Society
• Accredited training in risk assessment and risk management

Experience

• Relevant knowledge, skills and experience as an Orthoptist to achieve specialist knowledge and skills applicable to this post
• Experience of research and clinical audit.
• Experience as a supervisor of Orthoptic (Band 5)

Skills, Knowledge & Ability

• Transferable knowledge and skills at basic Orthoptist level
• Assessment, observation, and evaluation and reporting skills.
• Portfolio of documented evidence of personal Continuing Professional Development.

PLEASE NOTE THAT SHORTLISTED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED BY EMAIL.

The Trust promotes flexible working opportunities where ever possible to enable staff to balance their work and home life. We are committed to Equal Opportunities and aim to be EffortlesslyInclusive.

The trust operates a No Smoking Policy.

Only those applicants who demonstrate clearly how they meet our Person Specification will be shortlisted for Interview.

We reserve the right to close a job advert early where sufficient applications have been received.

The Trust does not offer interview expenses to shortlisted candidates unless indicated in the advert

If the post is subject to Disclosure & Barring Service checking, (formally CRB) a charge of £49.50 for Enhanced and £21.50 for Standard clearance and additional to this a £4.90 administration fee will be made to the successful candidate(s). This currently only applies to roles Band 6 and above and Medical & Dental posts.

Anyone newly appointed to the trust under the Agenda For Change contract, will be subject to the completion of a satisfactory 6 month probationary period. This will give the new staff member an opportunity to become familiar with the role and working environment.

We have introduced a new system called Pre-Onboarding, specifically to support you right the way through to your first few months in your new role with us at UHMB. This bespoke site has lots of useful information to help you settle into your new role including: what to expect from the recruitment clearances process, where to get a uniform, when you\\\’ll get paid etc. As well as information on a number of our services i.e. Infection Prevention, Anti-fraud, Inclusion and Diversity, Care Certificates and much more. To access click on this link https://www.uhmb.nhs.uk/uhmbt-pre-onboarding .

Employer certification / accreditation badges

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.