HealthJobsUK

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Key Result areas: 

The post holder will display a high profile, be accessible and responsive as a clinical leader with management responsibility for the Orthoptists and orthoptic service delivery in Warwick Hospital, Stratford Hospital and George Eliot Hospital.  

Displaying excellent leadership skills, the post holder will ensure that the department delivers high quality patient experience, care and outcomes.  

The post holder will make informed decisions within their own specialty and scope of professional practice, involving the patients and public to ensure agreed standards, targets and objectives.  

To work in collaboration with the leads within Ophthalmology, the General Manager and Clinical Director for Ophthalmology ensuring the orthoptic service aligns with the ophthalmology strategy.  

Expertise & Excellence in Clinical Practice

To be independently responsible as an autonomous practitioner for the Orthoptic investigation, diagnosis, management, and treatment of complex visual and ocular motility disorders using specialised examination techniques providing specialist advice. 

Ensure high quality clinical standards are met and maintained by staff with adherence to professional practice guidelines as determined by the British and Irish Orthoptic Society. 

To be clinically accountable for the Orthoptic service and a point of expertise for staff. 

To provide a comprehensive examination and diagnosis implementing and monitoring individual treatment plans for a full range of adult and paediatric patients referred from GP’s, paediatricians, community service, High Street Optometrists, pre-school vision screening and stroke and rehabilitation services. 

As an autonomous practitioner modify ongoing treatment plans in a manner that reflects the changing clinical outlook instructing patients / carers on home therapies. 

To communicate complex diagnosis, treatment, and management plans containing sensitive or contentious information where patients and /or carers may have major emotional, physical and psychological problems. 

Provide advanced expertise within paediatric and adult ocular motility clinics working in partnership with Consultants, Doctors and Optometrists. 

Recognise and seek appropriate medical staff opinion regarding anomalous clinical responses to treatment. 

To take the lead in the discussion and timing of squint surgery. 

To assess pre-operative and post-operative patients, give information regarding prognosis and possible complications of surgery and discuss surgical management options with the Ophthalmologist advising them on issues that may influence the successful outcome of the procedure. 

To deal sensitively with patients where diagnosis and prognosis may be difficult and / or distressing. This may be the first contact before seeing the Consultant. 

Assessing children with special needs and challenging behaviour, making referrals to optometry and ophthalmic colleagues where appropriate. 

To provide sole responsibility for patients referred via the community giving total care from referral to discharge when treatment completed. 

Communicate patient information to GPs on discharge from service. 

Provide detailed clinical information to referees, other healthcare professionals, education services and social care services in form of reports and advice, as well as patients and parents. 

To instil eye drops for ophthalmic investigation in accordance with Patient Group Directives. 

To undertake visual field testing with the Goldmann perimeter as required. 

Management & Leadership

Clinical line management of the Orthoptic teams at South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust and George Eliot Hospital.  Liaising with patient experience/liaison team, operational managers, and divisional managers ensuring a high standard and consistent delivery of service.

To train, appraise and develop ophthalmic specialist staff. 

Promote clinical awareness of the need for constant review and development of professional practice, securing agreed changes or development in practice and taking action when unsatisfactory practice is identified. 

Ensure effective use of physical and financial resources. 

Manage the budget resources for the Orthoptic service identifying potential for cost savings and be an authorised signatory for ordering Orthoptic supplies and equipment. 

Contribute to the strategic and operational development of the Ophthalmology service in line with current national guidelines. 

Lead the development and review of care pathways, protocols and clinical guidelines relating to specialist roles within the directorate. 

Ensure the duty rota reflects the workloads and timetables in the departments and maximises resources to ensure safe staffing and service delivery is achieved across the hospitals.

To oversee the new referrals to the Orthoptic department, ensuring patients receive the appropriate first Orthoptic and Ophthalmology appointments. 

Manage the Orthoptic staff ensuring their direct involvement in decision making and development of the service. 

To fully line manage the Orthoptic department including recruitment and selection, dealing with disciplinary issues and grievances and sickness management and all other associated management roles in accordance with Trust policy. 

Liaise with appropriate departments within the Trust regarding the modification of traditional role boundaries to facilitate the development of the advanced role. 

Develop standards by which the ongoing development of the advanced role can be monitored. 

Ensure the department resources are used in an appropriate and cost effective manner, and that risks and incidents are reported.

Act as a role model to others, providing information and support to develop roles. 

Communicate effectively with patients and staff, providing and receiving highly complex, sensitive or contentious information.  To display influential, motivational, training, negotiation, empathic and reassurance skills and use as required.   

Work collaboratively with the General Manager, Nurse and Optometry leads and Ophthalmology stakeholders to escalate issues and concerns, recognise achievements and opportunities for staff and service development within ophthalmology, ensure patient safety and enhance patient experience.

Analyse data and provide reports as required in response to service demands, capacity and business development.

Represent the Trust by contributing to and participating in meetings locally, regionally and nationally relating to the speciality.

To provide clinical leadership, giving advice and support to staff as required and acting as patients’ advocate at all times across Ophthalmology services.

Promote an environment that supports and values staff.

Demonstrate through effective leadership the ability to provide professional and emotional support to individuals and groups, e.g. during difficult situations or unexpected events.

Provide an environment that supports practice development and managing change in a supportive and positive manner.

Quality/Governance

To work independently and unsupervised within the code of practice of the professional body Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and ensure a consistently high standard of service is maintained to members of the public and staff. 

To contribute to the clinical governance / audit meetings, research, policy implementation and service development within Ophthalmology as required. 

To participate in the delivery of the clinical governance and risk management agenda of the department and Trusts.

Adhere to the Trusts procedures for managing incidents; developing and where appropriate liaising with AHP’s and medical staff in order to devise action plans to address risk issues and communicate any changes in practice to all staff.  Investigate and prepare statements as requested to assist in investigations.

To develop and maintain effective communication systems with all personnel internal and external to the Trusts.