Orthoptist

Overview

We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated new member of our team to work in Herefordshire and beyond. We provide Orthoptic services in Herefordshire, Gwent, Powys and Shropshire. Your orthoptic workload will be extremely varied including paediatric, ocular motility and acute cases via our busy eye casualty. We have an Orthoptic led vision screening programme, an established Stroke Service, and undertake pre-operative biometry and Goldmann visual fields. We currently have medical, pre-reg optometry students and as of September 2024 will be accepting Undergraduate Orthoptic Students.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a high quality Orthoptic service in line with recognised professional standards, care-pathways and best practice to deliver the business objectives in line with Trusts policies and protocols.
• Join a supportive and innovative team of Orthoptists.
• Contribute to the orthoptic provision for children with special educational needs, cerebral visual impairment and neurodivergence.
• Work within a multidisciplinary team including technicians, nurses, HCAs and Ophthalmologists.
• Assess patients independently to ensure that each patient is seen professionally, efficiently, effectively and with a high standard of care.
• Work with inpatients or outpatients from other specialisms as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Use advanced clinical reasoning to administer suitable tests, form diagnoses, and develop evidence-based treatment plans with informed consent.
• Assess patients pre-operatively and provide measurements on which surgery for ocular motility problems may be based.
• Instil dilating and cycloplegic drops for ophthalmic investigation in line with exemptions and/or patient group directions and Trust policy.
• Explain, demonstrate and teach Orthoptic principles and procedures to junior medical staff, medical students, optometrists, health visitors, student nurses and health care professionals.
• Undertake biometry and keratometry for pre-operative cataract patients.
• Be involved in, and contribute to, departmental clinical audit of issues.
• Attend an appraisal at least annually and maintain an updated professional development portfolio; participate in mentorship and reflective practice.
• Contribute to the general running of the Orthoptic department.

Qualifications

• Degree/diploma in Orthoptics and current registration with the HCPC.
• Newly qualified applicants are welcomed and will be supported by the WVT Trust-led AHP preceptorship program alongside the Orthoptic preceptorship program.

About the Trust

Wye Valley NHS Trust is a member of an NHS Foundation Group with South Warwickshire NHS FT, the George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. Located on the border with Wales in the shadow of the Black Mountains, we provide acute and community services across Herefordshire and into parts of Powys and run Hereford County Hospital and the community hospitals in Bromyard, Leominster and Ross-on-Wye. We are a progressive and forward looking trust with ambitious plans to improve quality and integrate patient pathways through close collaborative working with our partners to deliver the quality of care we\\\’d want for our family and friends. More than 3,500 people work for the Trust and it is described as a great place to work with a good work-life balance. Our values — Care, Accountability, Respect and Excellence — are at the heart of all we do.