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Job summary

Main area
Ophthamology - Orthoptics
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 8a
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Flexible working
37.5 hours per week
Job ref
193-6646231PCG-A
Employer
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Royal Berkshire Hospital
Town
Reading
Salary
£53,755 - £60,504 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
29/12/2024 23:59

Employer heading

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust logo

Deputy Head Orthoptist

NHS AfC: Band 8a

Royal Berkshire Hospital are pleased to announce that following our CQC inspection we have been rated ‘Good’ with inspectors reporting that we have made significant improvements.  The Trust’s overall rating has also improved to ‘good’.  This is a great opportunity to join our clinical or non-clinical teams to create a positive and motivating environment within our trust.  Come and join our team in this exciting time of change as we pride ourselves, our staff and our services on excellence.

At the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust we put our patients at the heart of every element of health and care that we provide. The Trust works together as a community to deliver its vision which is “Working together to provide outstanding care for our community.”

We are Compassionate in our thoughts, words and actions

We are Aspirational and have a true desire to be dynamic and to innovate

We are Resourceful and responsible in the way we work and live

We are Excellent in our development, fairness and sharing best practice

Amazing things happen at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust; delivered by amazing people so why don’t you come and join us.  We offer a range of learning and development for all employees may you be clinical or non-clinical.  

 

Diversity is what makes us interesting… Inclusion is what will make us outstanding.

Inequality exists and the journey to eliminate it is not easy. Every step we take will be a purposeful step forward to deliver a truly inclusive culture where all our people are enabled to deliver outstanding care, where background is no barrier, and where everyone can be their authentic self and we truly represent our patient community.

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where possible. All applicants who have a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the post can opt for a guaranteed interview.

If you need additional help with your application please get in touch by calling the recruitment team on 0118 322 6997 or 0118 322 5342.

Our primary method of communication will be via email. However, if you would prefer to be contacted through a different method, please inform the recruitment team.

Job overview

Band 8A Deputy Head Orthoptist

Are you an experienced orthoptist looking to develop further leadership and management skills? Are you a highly organised individual with a passion for the delivery of outstanding patient care?

We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic Deputy Head Orthoptist to support the Head Orthoptist in the delivery of our orthoptic, optometry and ophthalmic technician services across Berkshire.

We are a large team of 17 Orthoptists, 5 Optometrists and 11 Ophthalmic Technicians, delivering a varied service of core orthoptic and optometry activity, as well as enhanced and advanced practice roles across Ophthalmology. 

We would love to hear from talented individuals with a passion for service development and leadership to support the needs of our population in Berkshire. 

The role will include work at both the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading and also the Prince Charles Eye Unit in Windsor.

Main duties of the job

The Deputy Head Orthoptist is a senior manager in the Orthoptic department, responsible for line management of Band 5 and 6 Orthoptists, as well as the Lead Ophthalmic Technician. 

Alongside undertaking varied clinics in both core orthoptics and extended role practice, they are also responsible for the day to day operational management of the service, including rostering for orthoptics and optometry. 

In the absence of the Head Orthoptist, the Deputy Head will act as professional lead for Orthoptics, and is responsible for budgetary management of the county-wide Orthoptic Service and Hospital Eye Service provided by the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, as well as management of those people and financial resources within these services in order to ensure the effective operation of the department.

This post is cross-county and therefore the successful candidate will be expected to work in both the Royal  Berkshire Hospital in Reading and the Prince Charles Eye Unit in Windsor.

Working for our organisation

Reading and Windsor sit on the river Thames and are both served by great road and rail links to London, Oxford and Southampton. With excellent leisure and shopping facilities, and a thriving cultural scene, Reading and Windsor are wonderful places to live, work and play and provides excellent facilities for families, including some of the best state and private schools in the UK.

The CQC recently rated the care provided by the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust as Good.

Our CARE values: Compassionate, Aspirational, Resourceful, Excellent, reflect the type of Trust we aspire to be and you can join our dedicated and talented staff to make this happen.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the attached Job Description & Person Specification for further details of the post - or contact [email protected] to discuss the role in more detail.

Person specification

Education

Essential criteria
  • Degree or Diploma in Orthoptics
  • Post-graduate qualification
  • Teaching qualification
  • HCPC Registration
  • Involvement the extended role of orthoptists
Desirable criteria
  • Audit/Research
  • BIOS Member

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Significant clinical experience in orthoptics
  • Management/supervisory responsibility
  • Knowledge of health service strategy/policy
Desirable criteria
  • Financial responsibility
  • Change management

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Care quality commission - GoodMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Stonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.National Preceptorship for Nursing Quality Mark 2024

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
Greg Richardson
Job title
Head Orthoptist
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0118 322 7682
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