Deputy Head Optometrist

The post requires flexibility of working patterns and clinical involvement, as and when the service requires it. This may include working at sites across the Trust, at the Macula Unit, which is at the Trinity Centre, Trinity Road, BD5 0JD, and at the Ophthalmology Dept at Bradford Royal Infirmary. The Trust also has links with Airedale General Hospital and the University of Bradford and as such, it may also be necessary to work at these sites. The job plan should be expected to vary according to specific service requirements, will be reviewed periodically and may change over time. The principle areas of specialist involvement are as follows: The job plan will include at least one session of paediatric ophthalmology, which will involve the assessment and management of a range of paediatric eye conditions. This will be a highly specialist clinic supporting the paediatric ophthalmology consultant but will require independent decision making and self-governing working where appropriate. The paediatric ophthalmology team also serves the ophthalmic needs of children with special needs. This specialist role will involve the independent assessment and management of these patients within either their school environment or hospital clinics. There has been a long history of optometry co-management clinics with an ever increasing case load, which has necessitated expansion in this service. This involves specialised clinical skills and opinion to a level equivalent to a middle grade ophthalmologist. This role will include at least one acute referral clinic (ARC), where the post-holder will need to use their highly developed specialist knowledge across a range of sub-specialty areas. Optometrists are also involved in other co-management clinics which may be included as part of this role. These include medical retina, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, keratoconic and post-graft monitoring, cataract assessment and cataract post-operative review. These may be face to face or virtual in their format. Core optometry skills in specialist refraction, paediatric cycloplegic refraction and fundoscopy, corneal topography, are also part of the optometry service.. The post is an integral part of a multi-disciplinary team, which contributes to the effective and economic use of available resource. It will be the optometrists responsibility to ensure that all their equipment is properly maintained, reporting any faults, losses or damages to the nursing lead or Head Optometrist. The post-holder will also be responsible for supporting the Head of Department in the provision of Optometry services and able to act in their absence. These roles include all HR requirements within the Optometry team, but also to contribute to the planning and organisation of the optometry service.