Job Description

Band 6 Orthoptist with special interest in stroke.



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



Please see Job description for full details.



General adult and paediatric Orthoptic patients as well as stroke clinic patients (ward based).



To assess and diagnose new patients and formulate a programme of treatment



To manage and review patients as appropriate and modify treatment plans as an autonomous practitioner as necessary, to record all investigations, treatment and treatment plans in case notes.



To discharge patients appropriately with relevant correspondence'



To have an advanced level of knowledge and skills in order to formulate an appropriate treatment plan with the lead consultant taking overall responsibility. To instruct patients (or carers) on a continuous course of home treatment if appropriate



Undertake at least one of the following Extended Role duties - Specialist Orthoptic Led Clinics ( as applicable to individual qualifications). Being a member of the appropriate BIOS Special Interest Group would be desirable.



Stroke Care -this post



Refraction Clinics



Ocular Hypertension Clinics



Shared Care Glaucoma -this post



Visual Stress Clinics



Paediatric low vision



Specific learning difficulties



AMD



Undertake duties requiring special skills as required to support the Ophthalmology Department



OCT scanning



Fundus photography



Gonioscopy



Slit lamp assessment of anterior segment and Optic disc.



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).

JOB PURPOSE:

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, Stroke clinics, Specific Learning Difficulties and Visual Stress 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. The post holder must be competent in at least one of the extended roles specified under duties (4).



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



To teach undergraduate orthoptic students on placement and other health professional including medical students.



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



Manage a Single handed Orthoptic clinic



Extended role clinics as appropriate, willingness to train.



Actively participate in department audit and research projects



Use all equipment safely and without risk to patients



To liaise with other health care professionals and others when required



To support junior orthoptic staff



Directly involved in the teaching of orthoptic undergraduates and 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



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.