Specialist Orthoptist | University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

We are pleased to offer the opportunity for an enthusiastic, experienced and motivated orthoptist to join our team of 17 orthoptists starting August 2024. The ophthalmology unit in Leicester employ 26 consultant ophthalmologists, including 4 paediatric ophthalmologists with a specialist interest in paediatric cataract and neuro-ophthalmology.
The orthoptic department at UHL is based in a recently renovated clinic at Leicester Royal Infirmary, and the department provides services in peripheral community hospitals and medical practices in both Leicestershire and Rutland. As well as orthoptic clinics the orthoptists work in conjunction with general ophthalmology and cataract clinics, as well as eye casualty. The successful candidate will undertake detailed and thorough orthoptic investigation, utilising evidence base to aid management decisions. An evening clinic will be included in the job plan, and there may be some weekend working.
Applicants must hold either a degree or diploma in orthoptics and be registered with the HCPC. If you are enthusiastic about providing fantastic patient experience, and would like the opportunity to learn and grow in a dynamic and encouraging department, and feel that you have excellent clinical skills in core orthoptic conditions, then we look forward to hearing from you.
This is a full time post for 37.5 hours per week. The hours may be shared between two part time staff. We are looking for this individual to be in Post by August 2024
As a large, tertiary centre, the orthoptic department at Leicester Royal Infirmary provides exemplary care to a wide and varied range of patients. Specialist clinics include but are not limited to; combined thyroid eye disease and neurology clinics, paediatric cataract and complex ocular motility. The department receives referrals from other specialties including maxillofacial, endocrinology and stroke medicine. Combined care paediatric are independently run clinics which involves the orthoptists and optometrists working closely together to manage new patients.
This role has been created to ensure the continued provision of high quality Orthoptic care whilst expansion into specialist and extended role work can continue.
Specialised roles within the department include biometry, Goldmann visual field assessment, involvement in stable glaucoma clinics; Orthoptic led IIH, paediatric cyst clinics and paediatric cataract. The department is constantly investigating how services can be developed, expanded and improved.
Finally, Leicester is a well renowned clinical placement site for undergraduate orthoptists and undertakes regular student placement. This role would require the successful candidate to engage in clinical supervision and teaching of undergraduate orthoptic students, medical students, pre-registration optometrists and post-graduate doctors.
Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030).
We have four primary goals:
• high-quality care for all,
• being a great place to work,
• partnerships for impact, and
• research and education excellence
And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.
Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:
• we are compassionate,
• we are proud,
• we are inclusive, and
• we are one team
This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.
About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust:
http://www.leicestershospitals.nhs.uk/aboutus/work-for-us/current-vacancies/
• To take responsibility as an autonomous practitioner for the orthoptic assessment, diagnosis and treatment of all patients referred to the service from various specialities. This takes place mainly, though not solely, in an outpatient setting.
• To formulate and monitor individual management and treatment plans for patients of all ages using advanced clinical reasoning and to communicate these effectively with the patient, parent or carer to gain informed consent. This includes children and adults with communication and learning difficulties as well as ocular motility and visual defects.
• To initiate treatment and management of squint and amblyopia using individual treatment plans. This includes treating infants and children with significant sight problems and requires a considerable degree of empathy and family support. Communication may be difficult with many patients, either due to language or other comprehension barriers.
• To assess patients referred from other specialties and departments e.g., neurology, maxillo facial, paediatrics, eye casualty and using specialist knowledge formulate an accurate diagnosis and future programme of care, including advice to medical colleagues. This group of patients often have complex medical conditions, congenital or developmental abnormalities, as well as acute ocular motility defects.
• To instil Prescription Only Medicine eye drops according to departmental Patient Group Directions. This will include very young babies and young children as well as adults.
• To undertake orthoptic/optometry combined care clinics, taking direct referrals and then from the results of assessment make diagnoses and clinical management decisions, to include referral to consultant clinics or discharge.
• To undertake pre and post-operative measurements of ocular motility defects, on which to base the timing and type of operation, and to discuss surgical options with the ophthalmic surgeon.
• To carry out roles in the department of ophthalmology consistent with the extended role of the orthoptist, using specialist knowledge of refraction and binocular vision as well as ocular and neuro anatomy and physiology.
• To assist with visual field clinics as necessary using the Humphrey automated perimeter and manual Goldmann as required.
• To undertake biometry and assessment of patients in two stop cataract clinics or pre assessment clinics
• To maintain accurate, detailed clinical records, in either electronic form or hand written in accordance with departmental policy, of all patients seen.
This advert closes on Wednesday 21 Feb 2024