optometrist Plymouth, England
Job description
We are looking for a talented and committed Optometrist to join our growing team at the Royal Eye Infirmary (REI) in Plymouth. This post will suit an Optometrist experienced in Hospital Optometry, we are willing to support this as a band 7 training role if required for a candidate with potential.
The role includes working in the urgent care and glaucoma clinics, the post holder will have significant responsibilities in developing these services alongside the Head Optometrist and the wider Ophthalmology team.
The REI will soon be relocating to a purpose-built new unit comprising of theatres, urgent care, expanded outpatient and optometry clinical facilities, imaging hub and spectacle dispensary. We are a collaborative team of Optometrists, and work closely with our colleagues in orthoptics, imaging, advanced clinical practitioners, nurse practitioners, and ophthalmologists. We are also very fortunate to have our own dispensing service and team of excellent dispensing opticians.
As a department, we are dedicated to the development of a strong optometry team ready for the future. The post holder will ensure that the care provided is consistent and of a high standard throughout the patient care pathway.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
To provide highly specialised optometry services in extended roles. IP qualification is essential; support to achieve this will be given for the right candidate as a training role.
The post holder will be independently managing cohorts of patients in glaucoma and urgent care clinics. For example; making decisions about changes to glaucoma treatments (medical, laser, and surgery), initial and subsequent management of acute angle closure glaucoma, management of anterior eye conditions and co-management with ophthalmologist for complex cases.
We are a people business – where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Primary duties and areas of responsibility
- To initiate, evaluate andindependently plan the management and discharge of individual patients (e.g. glaucoma and urgent care), based on evidence.
- To manage independently sight threatening conditions such as glaucoma and wet macular degeneration.
- To be able to prescribe independently (IP), or be able to work towards this qualification.
- To independently interpret various imaging tests (e.g. visual fields, OCT, OCTa).
- To provide highly skilled pre and post-operative refractions as and when required, topographic and biometric data aimed at the measurement, assessment and evaluation necessary to prioritise surgery.
- To coordinate and supervise the activities of other departmental members, imaging technicians, pre-registration optometrists, trainee ACPs, and dispensing opticians.
- To help and advise other hospital staff in the correct use and calibration of complex machineries.
- To act as a valuable link between the trust and external healthcare organisations.
- Demonstrate a commitment to evidence based practice and clinical excellence and play an active role in the introduction of this evidence to improve person centred care.
- Maintain personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the job, participate and initiate appropriate training activities and encourage and support staff development and training.
- Proactively and positively contribute to the achievement of clinical outcomes through individual and team effort.
- Ensure that resources are used effectively and in accordance with agreed procedures.
- Promote health education both within and outside the Trust and advise patient, family, and others in health promotion issues.
- Report and manage untoward incidents such as complaints, clinical emergencies, and injury or drug administration errors as detailed in Trust-wide and local protocols and procedures.
