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Job summary

Main area
Ophthalmology
Grade
Band 5
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
390-OPT-SO-8081
Employer
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Southend
Town
Westcliff on Sea
Salary
£28,407 Per Annum (Pro Rata for Part Time)
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
10/07/2024 23:59

Employer heading

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust logo

Orthoptist Band 5

Band 5

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is now one of the largest trusts in the country, serving a population of 1.2 million people. Our newly formed Trust, comprising acute hospital sites at Broomfield in Chelmsford, Basildon and Southend,  is determined to provide the best health services for its local population. We are a well-led, high-performing and innovative organisation working in the best interests of the people we serve.

 

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a full time Orthoptist to join the Orthoptic Team at Southend University Hospital. The successful candidate will work alongside a dedicated team of Ophthalmologists, Orthoptists, Optometrists & Nurses in a busy but supportive department.
We require an enthusiastic and motivated Orthoptist to join our team of 4 other Orthoptists .

Are you excited by this?

This position is ideal for a newly qualified or qualified Orthoptist looking to gain experience and is an excellent opportunity to develop your Orthoptic skills in a forward thinking and progressive department. The candidate must therefore have a current Orthoptic Qualification, recognised by the HCPC and registered with the HCPC.

The role is based at Southend University Hospital, but will involve working at Orsett hospital. You will be in a supportive environment with a preceptorship programme in place.  We are a department of 4 Orthoptists, 9 Consultants, one of which has a specialist interest in paediatrics and strabismus, 5 Optometrists and 6 Technicians.

If you think you have the skills and enthusiasm for this role, then we want to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

The job involves Orthoptic assessment and diagnosis of patients covering a wide age range and a variety of clinical conditions.  You will need to plan, implement and monitor individual treatment plans from an orthoptic,  optical and advise on surgical recommendations, using evidence-based practice and advanced clinical reasoning.

In addition to core orthoptic clinics, the department also supports specialist paediatric, refraction, ocular motility and neuro-ophthalmology clinics. The post holder will also be required to undertake administrative duties consistent with the day to day functioning of an orthoptic clinic.

As a recognised Orthoptic undergraduate placement we also participate in clinical teaching of Orthoptics students on placement, as well as to medical students, ophthalmic nurses, optometrists and other health professionals visiting the Orthoptic department.

Working for our organisation

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is now one of the largest in the country, with a workforce of approximately 17,000 who serve a population of 1.2 million people.
 
We work together, and in conjunction with MSE Health and Care Partnership, to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients in a compassionate way, and provide a respectful, but vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.
 
From facilities through to consultant specialists we want to be the best, to achieve this we need to recruit not just those who are the finest in their field but also those who have the potential to be. Yes, experience is important but so is outlook – if you are dynamic, forward-thinking and enthusiastic we want you to join us. 

We not only offer you a good working environment with flexible working opportunities, but also the opportunity to develop your career with access to appropriate training for your job and the support to succeed and progress. 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

We work closely with other members of our department carrying out joint paediatric clinics with both Optometrists and Ophthalmologists.  

You will be required to participate in Eye casualty emergency clinics with patients referred from the Stroke unit, A&E and local external providers.

As a result, you must have good communication skills as you will work within a multi-disciplinary team of Orthoptists , Optometrists , Medical staff and nurses , and other non medical staff.

You will need to be able to communicate effectively with all age ranges from birth to end of life and be able to remain professional, providing clear explanations , as well as empathic and understanding as there is often a high level of anxiety when patients are attending hospital appointments.

For further details regarding the role responsibilities and the entry requirements, please see the combined job description and person specification.

For further information please contact: Alex Landells (Optical Services Lead)
[email protected]  01702 435555 ext 7044

or Laura Roberts (Head Orthoptist) on: [email protected]  01702 435555 ext 6898

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Diploma of the British Orthoptic Council (DBO) or Health Sciences Degree (Orthoptics) and State Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
Desirable criteria
  • UK Driving Licence

Knowledge, Training & Experien

Essential criteria
  • Experience of Orthoptics in an acute hospital environment. Previous experience of Visual Screening Previous experience of Humfrey fields/OCT

Skills & Abilities

Essential criteria
  • Excellent communications and inter-personal skills. Ability to maintain standards of patient care in a busy environment.

Training and Development

Essential criteria
  • To maintain and update professional development portfolio Awareness of need to maintain health and safety and security of staff and patients

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Trust IDNHS Employers Diversity and Inclusion PartnersApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyMenopause Friendly EmployerArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/kickstart-scheme-employer-resources/kickstart-scheme-brand-guidelinesStonewall Silver 2022Disability confident employerNHS Rainbow badgeNHS Pastoral CareNHS 75th Birthday

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
Alex Landells
Job title
Head Orthoptist
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01702435555
Additional information

Please contact Alex Landells (Head Orthoptist) on :

01702 435555 ext 7044

or Laura Roberts (Senior Orthoptist) on:

[email protected]

01702 435555 ext 6898

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