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Job summary

Applications are invited from experienced Orthoptists with both an interest and previous experience in neuro-ophthalmology for a full-time, senior position at UHB NHS Foundation Trust.
The post will be based at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham which provides a comprehensive ophthalmology service for adult patients. The successful applicant will join a dynamic, diverse and friendly team of Orthoptists and Ophthalmic Technicians working alongside medical, optometric and nursing staff in a range of joint and virtual clinics assessing adult patients. For orthoptists wishing to maintain some paediatrics within their caseload there will be the option of working one day per week in paediatric clinics at other University Hospital Birmingham sites.

Main duties, tasks & skills required

Applicants will need to be enthusiastic and motivated to work in a busy, expanding department with an interesting and varied caseload which includes neuro-ophthalmology, endocrine and maxillofacial in and out patient referrals. The department supports advanced clinical practice and has staff working in extended roles in neuro-ophthalmology, medical retina and glaucoma. Training and support will be given to enable the successful candidate to take on an extended role within the service.
A degree or diploma in Orthoptics and HCPC registration are essential and applicants must be able to demonstrate significant clinical experience working with adult ocular motility and neuro-ophthalmic cases. The ability to undertake visual field tests using Goldmann analyzers and previous experience of clinical teaching are essential.
For informal enquiries please contact Claire Hazell - Head Orthoptist on 0121 3716462.

About us

We are recognised as one of the leading NHS Foundation Trusts in the UK. Our vision is to Build Healthier Lives, and we recognise that we need incredible staff to do this.

Our commitment to our staff is to create the best place for them to work, and we are dedicated to:

Investing in the health and wellbeing of our staff, including a commitment of offering flexible working where we can;
Offer our staff a wide variety of training and development opportunities, to support their personal and career development objectives.

UHB is committed to ensuring that our staff are treated fairly and feel that they belong, by creating a kind and inclusive environment. This is about equity of opportunity; removing all barriers, including discrimination and ensuring each individual member of staff reach their true potential, achieve their ambitions and thrive in their work. This is more than words. We are taking action. Our commitment to an inclusive culture is embedded at all levels of the organisation where every voice is heard, driven by our diverse and active staff networks, and at Board level by the Fairness Taskforce led by our CEO. We nurture a culture which empowers staff to challenge discriminatory behaviours and to enable people to bring their 'whole self' to a kinder, more connected and bold place to work.

Job description

*Please Note : For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached Job Description*

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Batchelor of Science in Orthoptics - BSc(Orth) or BmedSci(Orth) and or Diploma of the British Orthoptic Council
• Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council

Experience

Essential

• Significant full time (or equivalent part-time) post-registration experience.
• Experience in all aspects of clinical orthoptics including additional specialist knowledge of neuro-ophthalmology and glaucoma. This post-graduate experience must equate to masters level
• Significant proven clinical experience working with adults undergoing neuro-rehabilitation / individuals who have significant sensory impairment / adults with learning difficulties
• Significant experience using Humphrey and Goldmann visual field analysers in the assessment of neurological conditions and glaucoma
• Demonstrate active participation in under graduate and post graduate training of medical /optometry / nursing students and staff
• Experience of structuring / participating in clinical audit
• Evidence of involvement in research or audit and evidence of presentation of audit / research papers / posters at local / national events
• Documentary evidence of CPD in line with the Healthcare Professions Council requirements with evidence of attendance at neuro-ophthalmology / glaucoma / low vision courses / updates
• Must possess a comprehensive theoretical understanding and knowledge of all aspects of clinical orthoptics including neuro-ophthalmology and glaucoma
• Highly developed specialist level of professional knowledge and skill
• Documentary evidence of CPD to demonstrate knowledge of up-to-date technical / clinical advancements and methods
• Technical knowledge of how to set up, operate and interpret Humphrey Analyser, Goldmann Perimeter, Synoptophore and Lees Screen
• Ability to select the most appropriate field test based on knowledge of ophthalmic condition and previous patient performance
• Knowledge of patient confidentiality
• Caldicott awareness

Additional Criteria

Essential

• Self-motivated with strong commitment to high standard of patient care
• Innovative approach to work and must be able to respond quickly to changes in working practise
• Sound problem solving skills
• Methodical and well organised
• Ability to work under sustained pressure whilst maintaining high levels of concentration
• Ability to keep and maintain detailed patient records at all times
• Computer literate and familiar with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint and with the ability to produce letters / reports / input audit and research data
• Maintain and utilise department and trust information systems and ensure the accuracy of the information held
• Knowledge of statistics sufficient to ensure collection of all relevant data for audit / research projects
• Must demonstrate a pleasant, helpful disposition at all times and be able to make decisions and resolve problems
• Effective interpersonal skills with the ability to develop and evolve professional relationships with staff at all levels
• Ability to work successfully as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and non-verbal) and ability to overcome barriers to communication that may relate to language / hearing / vision / age / intelligence
• Ability to explain the details of a medical condition which may be highly complex. This requires an holistic and tactful approach where patients / carers have no knowledge of the ocular defects associated with specific medical conditions and / or who have difficulty accepting the diagnosis
• Ability to communicate effectively and with sensitivity with patients / carers where diagnosis / prognosis are poor and information is of a highly distressing nature
• Ability to counsel patients regarding visual loss / impairment to help them come to terms with the restrictions it places on everyday life
• Ability to demonstrate the well -developed communication and persuasion skills needed to work with patients with long term conditions that may require a life-time of regular hospital attendance and treatment
• Excellent hand / eye coordination, fine manual dexterity and speed when performing clinical investigations
• Must possess a particular aptitude for precision observation, perception and accurate recording of eye movements
• Must be able to make rapid and accurate judgements regarding what prisms / low vision aids to prescribe
• Ability to instil eye drops
• Willing to acquire and develop new skills
• Reliable, punctual with ability to work in a busy clinical environment
• Willingness to undertake self-study as appropriate for an advanced orthoptist
• Willingness to attend external training courses and demonstrable commitment to personal development
• Willingness to work some evenings and weekends

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

UK Professional Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.