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Job summary

Main area
Ophthalmology
Grade
7
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
279-6407075-JUN24
Employer
279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Southlands Hospital & St Richards Hospital
Town
Shoreham by Sea
Salary
£43,742 - £50,056 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
09/07/2024 23:59

Employer heading

279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust logo

Specialist Optometrist

7

 About our Trust

At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute Trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

 Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to always put our Patient First .  In fact our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme  for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex. 

 

Job overview

We have an exciting opportunity for a Clinical Optometrist to join our hard working and friendly team based at Southlands and St Richards Hospital. This cross-site role will pre-dominantly be supporting the growing Glaucoma service but there will also be opportunities to develop in other areas such as medical retina and primary care.

The Ophthalmology service boasts a state of the art unit in Shoreham, developed in 2017.  It comprises of 2 dedicated eye theatres, supported by a suite of diagnostic equipment. The service’s vision is to be a world class eye care provider, widely recognised for providing safe, personal and effective care. Opportunities exist for candidates with previous hospital experience and for motivated individuals with a desire to gain experience working as a hospital optometrist.  Both full-time or part-time / job share will be considered.  The ideal candidates will be expected to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.  Post-graduation experience of enhanced service delivery and College of Optometrist higher qualifications would be advantageous.  Our team consists of 10 consultant ophthalmologists, optometrists, orthoptists, nursing and technical team. 

Main duties of the job

This role will be to provide clinical support to the ophthalmology services, both as an autonomous practitioner and as a member of a team. The post holder may be expected to deliver a comprehensive range of core optometric services and extended role services to glaucoma, medical retina and other sub-specialities within the ophthalmology department as required. The post holder will be expected to work within a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to the supervision, teaching and training of staff, and participating in departmental research and audit activities.

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex. 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

 

Communication

·         To communicate effectively with patients and their families 

·         To communicate effectively with doctors, nurses and orthoptists

·         Communicate both verbally and in writing with GPs 

·         Support verbal communication by providing written educational material to patients and carers if required 

·         Utilise the interpreting service for patients with language barrier

·         Ensure the provision of a quality and co-ordinated service by establishing and maintaining liaison amongst all disciplines in patient care within the Trust  

·         Attend departmental meetings for the Ophthalmology department, communicating effectively and developing positive working relationships with other team members 

 

Service Delivery and Improvement

·         To identify opportunities for service, role and practice development within the Ophthalmic Service

·         To assist with the implementation and evaluation of areas of practice/service development

·         To review and develop written policies/protocols relevant to clinical procedures as necessary

·         To undertake specific projects as requested by the Consultant Optometrist, Ophthalmologist body & Department Manager

·         To participate in service reviews or improvement events and initiatives to drive improved patient experience, quality and productivity

·         To take part in departmental audit

 

People Management and Development

·         Assist in training and education for Community optometrists and GPs as required

·         Keep up to date with current research and evidence-based practice by attending relevant meetings, courses and seminars. Responsible for sharing knowledge with other professionals and team to influence better care and outcomes for patients

·         To keep documentary evidence of Continuing Professional Development and use personal development, clinical supervision, appraisal and Knowledge and Skills Framework

·         To be involved and act as a role model for clinical placements of work experience students, orthoptic students, optometry students, medical students, GPs, health visitors

·         To be able to supervise less experienced staff and students

·         To participate in health promotion for GPs and community optometry services

·         To partake in appraisal as an appraisee

·         To continue to update and develop own clinical and theoretical knowledge of eye care pathways including areas of clinical research

·         To participate in any related research programmes which have been formally agreed

·          In agreement with the team, identify areas for and actively participate in audit

 

 

Person specification

Professional Registration

Essential criteria
  • General Optical Council

Experience and Qualification

Essential criteria
  • BSc(Hons) Optometry or equivalent
  • 2 years post-registration clinical experience.
Desirable criteria
  • Post graduate qualifications such as College of Optometrist certificates / diplomas

People Management and Development

Essential criteria
  • Ability to act as a role model demonstrating high standards of care and providing clinical leadership in specialist area to others
  • Teaching/supervision experience/ assessment skills

Equality Diversity and Inclusion

Essential criteria
  • Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
  • Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardDisability confident employerStep into healthHappy to Talk Flexible Working

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Karen French
Job title
Consultant Optometrist
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01903285011
Additional information

For an informal discussion please contact Karen French, Consultant Optometrist,  via email on [email protected].

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