Specialist Orthoptist

Specialist Orthoptist – Band 6
Applications are invited from experienced and motivated orthoptists to take on orthoptic clinics for the Community Eye Service in West Hertfordshire (St Albans and Hemel Hempstead), to cover maternity leave. Currently the department consists of 4 Orthoptists and 2 optometrists with links to the Acute Trust Ophthalmologists. You will be expected to work single-handedly and as part of a team in orthoptic assessment and treatment of patients attending the community paediatric eye service. The post-holder will also participate in clinical audit, research and teaching. Newly qualified orthoptists will be considered and taken on as a Band 5 preceptorship advancing to band 6 when requirements are met. This post attracts a golden hello of £3,000 which is paid in in 2 installments of £1500 at month 6 and 11.
Candidates will have a BSc or equivalent in orthoptics and will be HCPC registered. Previous experience of community orthoptics would be an advantage. A working knowledge of a varied paediatric caseload and good communication skills with children and their parents are essential.
For informal enquiries please contact Catherine Stewart or Judy Bee (co-Clinical Leads for the Children’s Eye Service)
via e-mail: catherine.stewart22@nhs.net or Judy.bee1@nhs.net
In addition to the basic salary, this post attracts a High Cost Area Supplement of 5% of basic salary subject to a maximum payment of £1,915 per annum (pro rata where applicable).
A big thank you for considering joining us at Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust
You’ll find it a great place to work with many benefits offered to you as a member of our staff.
We put our patients, their families and carers at the centre of our vision - Outstanding Services and Healthier Communities
Our staff are proud to be Innovative, Caring and Agile in their work to help achieve the Trust vision
We welcome diversity in our workforce and are interested in applicants from all backgrounds. and ages
You’ve made a great decision to apply to join to HCT - we’re looking forward to taking the next steps of the journey with you.
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At HCT the success is based on the quality of the services we provide, whether that's on the frontline or in a support role. Everyone in our team plays a vital role in making sure patients receive the care they deserve, as well as maintaining our reputation as NHS trust passionate about the and community it serves. The eye service is no exception and is a small friendly team of orthoptists and optometrists passionate about providing an excellent childrens eye service to the community we serve. We also get involved in research and are intending to become a clinical placement site so we can train the next generation of orthoptists.
To see children in clinics at St Albans Health and Wellbeing centre and the Marlowes wellbeing centre in Hemel Hempstead.
To provide a high quality, effective and evidence based service that is current and responsive to patient needs.
To ensure the local delivery of Orthoptic Services in West Hertfordshire are delivered efficiently and effectively.
To work as an independent practitioner and as part of a highly motivated team to deliver all levels of Orthoptic investigation and assessment and to be able to use highly specialist skills to diagnose and treat all conditions as necessary.
To be responsible for Orthoptic assessments and treatments for the full range of Orthoptic referrals for children and to maintain accurate clinical records in adhere with HCT’s Record Keeping Policy.
To be confident in assessing and managing children with special needs
To work together with the optometrist to advise on optical management of strabismus
To keep accurate and complete records concerning patient diagnosis and care plans and to have an overview of a personal clinical diary on Systmone.
To be committed to lifelong learning and undertake continual professional development and mandatory training.
Whilst it is not a legal requirement, Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust encourages and supports all staff to be vaccinated as this remains the best line of defence against COVID-19
We are committed to supporting flexible working options for staff, wherever possible, and welcome discussions on flexible working patterns to support our staff to maintain a healthy work life balance.