Job Description

To provide diagnosis, management and treatment of patients referred to the Orthoptic Department for various clinics including, General Paediatrics, Special Needs Paediatrics, Ocular Motility Clinics. To be responsible as an autonomous practitioner and to be professionally and legally accountable and responsible for all aspects of own work in the evaluation of visual acuity and visual behaviour in referrals, responsible for planning and implementing and monitoring individual orthoptic treatment plans/care pathways for patients of all ages using advanced clinical reasoning and evidence based practice. This includes infants with strabismus (squint) and amblyopia, congenital or developmental abnormalities, genetic referrals, adult illiterates and children and adults with significant learning difficulties as well as ocular motility defects in both children and adults.



To effectively communicate complex clinical information in a clear manner to the patient/carer and other professionals to ensure an understanding of the condition and its treatment.



To contribute to the efficient running of outpatient clinics of the ophthalmology service.



To carry and prioritise own clinical workload



You will be working in a team of 6.5 WTE Orthoptist. We also have a fantastic team of Orthoptic assistants and two Optometrists.



We have a great working relationship with the wider Ophthalmology team and we are involved in several extended roles including shared care glaucoma and visual processing.



To assess and diagnose new patients and formulate a programme of treatment with support from a more senior orthoptist



To provide condition related information to patients/carers. This may be of a sensitive nature and will need to be phrased so there is a full understanding of the condition



To demonstrate the appropriate level of Standard of Competency to Practice at all times



To manage and review patients as appropriate and to record all investigations, treatment and treatment plans in case notes.



To discharge patients appropriately with relevant correspondence.



To instruct patients (or carers) on a continuous course of home treatment if appropriate.



To deal with telephone and face to face and computer enquires from patient, carers and others.



Undertake in house training in order to carry out duties requiring special skills as required to support the Orthoptic and Ophthalmology Department, OCT, Fundus Photography, Visual processing.



To liaise with Orthoptic staff, consultants, medical and nursing staff and others as required.



Other general duties to aid the smooth running of the department, such as organising appointments, filing etc.



Adhere to Trust, Directorate and Departmental policies with regard to Health and Safety, Fire, Risk assessment



Adhere to Departmental and Professional Quality Standards and Guidelines



Pilgrim Hospital is situated beautiful countryside and serves the communities in the South Lincolnshire area. It provides all major specialties and a 24-hour major accident and emergency service.



Grantham and District Hospital serves the communities of Grantham and the local area. It provides ambulatory paediatric and accident and emergency services.



Lincoln Hospital is a thriving university city and with the opening of the medical school, it provides all major specialties and a 24-hour major accident and emergency service



United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust has been granted teaching hospital status, after demonstrating evidence to significant teaching commitment. From now on it will be known as United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.



Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS) and United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT) have come together in a Group arrangement, with the goal of improving the care provided to patients across the county.



This will not constitute a formal merger of the two organisations, but will bring the Trusts together under a single Board and Executive Leadership Team, with the goal of improving the care that is provided to patients both in the community and in hospitals across Lincolnshire. Both Trusts will retain their separate statutory names and legal obligations.



The Group will be known as Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals NHS Group (LCHG).



To work as an autonomous practitioner, legally and professionally responsible and accountable for the investigation, diagnosis and management of Orthoptic patients



To prioritise own clinical workload and keep accurate contemporaneous records



Support the development of Orthoptic service



Use all equipment safely and without risk to patients



To liaise with other health care professionals and others when required



Directly involved in the teaching of other health professionals in aspects of orthoptic investigation practical and theory



Continued Professional Development



To work within Professional Guidelines



Maintain registration with the Health Professions Council and abide by their rules and regulations



Knowledge of departmental and Trust policies and procedures



To be involved in Orthoptic service development and promoting the profession



To undergo further training as required.



United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults, both as service users and visitors to Trust premises. All staff have a responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and adults. The post holder, in conjunction with their line manager, will be responsible for ensuring they undertake the appropriate level of training relevant to their individual role and responsibilities and that they are aware of and work within the safeguarding policies of the Trust.