Advertised role location: ROYAL VICTORIA HOSPITAL
Official document: Band 7_Regional Paediatric Ophthalmology Genetic Counsellor (docx)
JOB DESCRIPTION

POST: Part-time Regional Paediatric Ophthalmology Genetic Counsellor (9 hours)

LOCATION: Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

BAND: 7

REPORTS TO: Regional Lead Paediatric Ophthalmology

RESPONSIBLE TO: Ophthalmology Service Manager, BHSCT

Job Summary / Main Purpose

To provide a high-quality genetic counselling service within a multidisciplinary team.for Paediatric Ophthalmology patients in Northen Ireland, enabling patients and families to come to terms with the emotional and medical implications of a genetic disorder.
To manage an ongoing caseload and maintain patient/client records.
To develop and maintain knowledge of the scientific, medical and psychological aspects of clinical genetics.
To provide support and guidance to trainees and students undertaking placements.
To work as an integral part of the Paediatric Ophthalmic team to ensure all Organisational and Departmental objectives are achieved.
To organise and lead on the quarterly Virtual Oculogenetic Multidisciplinary meeting (held on a Friday afternoon).

Main Duties / Responsibilities
For each of the following, the postholder will;

Clinical and Professional Practice
Obtain relevant family and medical information and blood samples where necessary.
Provide genetic counselling to families, to assess the need for further input and to provide continuity of service.
Follow up families, offering information about genetic disorders and inherited cancer and risks to family members.
Provide information and help with decision making regarding the management of risk.
Refer clients to other agencies as appropriate.
Participate in paediatric ophthalmology genetic referral triage.
Participate in relevant meetings.
Develop and maintain a climate in which research and audit can be undertaken, and to participate in such research and encourage the practical application of research findings.
Provide support, guidance and supervision to trainees and students undertaking placements within Paediatric Ophthalmology.
Carry out the total management of designated referrals and to liaise with the Ophthalmology Clinicians and Clinical Geneticists in this respect.
Undertake Genetic Counsellor led outpatient clinics when appropriate.
Provide specialist counselling for individuals undergoing predictive testing within the predictive testing protocol.
Take personal responsibility for keeping his/her own practice up to date, competent and relevant to the role.
Participate in individual performance review, clinical career framework, identifying own educational needs, objectives, achievements and requirements.
Attend (and address where appropriate) relevant meetings and conferences.
Participate in clinical research relevant to the role, and co-operate and participate with other affiliated research.
Provide a source of information and reference for colleagues and engage in teaching and education programs within the Department.
Be involved in the education of other health professionals regarding the genetics service.
Establish/maintain links and liaise with patient support groups and provide a reference source/resource for those groups.
The post holder may be expected to undertake training within Great Britain, The Republic of Ireland or Europe.
Liaise with Ophthalmic Consultants, Genetic Consultants, Clinical Scientists and Ophthalmic Service Manager; to ensure the effective provision of the Service.
Liaise with Officers of the Belfast HSCT and external users as appropriate.
Work at all times as part of the Health Care Team.
Develop and maintain good communications throughout the uni- and multi-professional team through use of all available information systems, including regular departmental and service group meetings.
Serve on such working parties as deemed appropriate to the role.
Undertake such duties as may be required, as are consistent with the responsibilities of the grade.
Practice in accordance with all current policies and procedures of the Belfast Trust, DHSSPS, and ensure all staff do likewise.
Handle complaints, suggestions or queries promptly and sympathetically and refer/report those resolved and unresolved to your line manager.
Assist the Ophthalmology Services Manager to ensure that the Regional Paediatric Ophthalmology Genetic Counsellor workload is within the Patient Time List (PTL) and expected Service Budget Agreement (SBA) targets; complies with IEAP standards; complies with Records Management Guidelines; Responds to complaints, queries and incidents in line with Trust Guidelines.
Carry out audit of service and ensure ongoing evaluation and research as appropriate.
Obtain hospital records/medical details to confirm information with appropriate consent.
Establish/maintain links with self-help groups and charitable organisations.
Assist in the development and introduction of policies, procedures and standards relevant to the specialty.
Take responsibility for the Health, Safety and welfare of self and others and comply at all times with the requirements of Health and Safety regulations.
Ensure that the needs of patients, clients and their carers are at the core of the way the services are delivered.
Contribute to the maintenance of and actions arising out of the Risk Register for the service in line with Trust policy and procedure.
Assist the Ophthalmology Service Manager to investigate and respond to complaints, incidents and claims within the service in line with Trust policy and procedures.
Support the Regional Lead Paediatric Ophthalmology in delivering quality related initiatives within the service.
As directed by the Ophthalmology Service Manager, meet the plans for the delivery of services in line with regional strategies, Ministerial and HSSA priorities.
Work closely with relevant stakeholders to secure their commitment and involvement in the implementation of strategic planning initiatives and targets.
Represent the service and the Trust as required communicating effectively with colleagues both internal and external to the Trust.
Ensure user involvement is actively promoted within the service.
Work in partnership with staff colleagues as appropriate across a range of work responsibilities.
Establish and maintain productive working relationships with professional and clinical leads within the service.

General Responsibilities

Employees of the Trust are required to promote and support the mission and vision of the service for which they are responsible and:

At all times provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner.
The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency. The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with Belfast Trust’s Whistleblowing Policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.
Demonstrate their commitment by their regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them.
Comply with the Trust’s Smoke Free Policy.
Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with the Health and Safety Policies and Statutory Regulations.
Adhere to Equality and Good Relations duties throughout the course of their employment.
Ensure the ongoing confidence of the public in-service provision.
Maintain high standards of personal accountability.
Comply with the HPSS Code of Conduct.

Information Governance  

All employees of Belfast Health & Social Care Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, including patient/client, corporate and administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including e-mails.  All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant and to comply with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust policies on Information Governance including for example the ICT Security Policy, Data Protection Policy and Records Management Policy and to seek advice if in doubt.

For further information on how we use your personal data within HR, please refer to the Privacy Notice available on the HUB or Your HR

Environmental Cleaning Strategy

The Trusts Environmental Cleaning Strategy recognises the key principle that “Cleanliness matters is everyone’s responsibility, not just the cleaners” Whilst there are staff employed who are responsible for cleaning services, all Trust staff have a responsibility to ensure a clean, comfortable, safe environment for patients, clients, residents, visitors, staff and members of the general public.

Infection Prevention and Control

The Belfast Trust is committed to reducing Healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) and all staff have a part to play in making this happen. Staff must comply with all policies in relation to Infection Prevention and Control and with ongoing reduction strategies. Standard Infection Prevention and Control Precautions must be used at all times to ensure the safety of patients and staff.

This includes:-

Cleaning hands either with soap and water or a hand sanitiser at the appropriate times (WHO ‘5 moments’);
Using the correct ‘7 step’ hand hygiene technique;
Being ‘bare below the elbows’ when in a clinical environment;
Following Trust policies and the Regional Infection Control Manual (found on intranet);
Wearing the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE);
Ensuring correct handling and disposal of waste (including sharps) and laundry;
Ensuring all medical devices (equipment) are decontaminated appropriately i.e. cleaned, disinfected and/or sterilised;
Ensuring compliance with High Impact Interventions.

Personal Public Involvement

Staff members are expected to involve patients, clients, carers and the wider community were relevant, in developing, planning and delivering our services in a meaningful and effective way, as part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to Personal Public Involvement (PPI).

Please use the link below to access the PPI standards leaflet for further information.

http://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/PPI_leaflet.pdf

Clause: This job description is not meant to be definitive and may be amended to meet the changing needs of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.


PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE / BAND: Part-time Regional Paediatric Ophthalmology Genetic Counsellor (9 hours) / Band 7

DEPT / DIRECTORATE: ACCTSS & Surgery


Notes to applicants:
You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.
Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note the Trust reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined below at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.
Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA


The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage.
You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor
Criteria
Method of Assessment

Qualifications
Registration
Experience
Graduate degree (in genetics, nursing, or biological/social sciences).

AND

Professional qualification (STP Genomic Counsellor training or MSc genetic counselling).

OR

Registered Genetic Counsellor GCRAB (Genetic Counsellor Registration Advisory Board) / HCPC (or overseas equivalent).

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other (e.g. Driving etc.)

Current full driving license or access to a form of transport which allows the full requirements of the post to be completed.

‘Where disability prohibits driving, this criteria will be waived if the applicant is able to organise suitable alternative arrangements.’

Shortlisting by Application Form

Knowledge
Skills
Abilities
Significant (equivalent to 3 years’) experience working as a registered genetic counsellor with experience of managing an individual caseload.
Excellent communication and counselling skills.
Critical thinking skills; knowledge and awareness of ethical practice.
Evidence of Continuing Professional Development.
Works within AGNC (Association of Genetic Nurse Counsellors) code of ethics and GCRAB code of conduct.
Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team.

Interview


DESIRABLE CRITERIA


Desirable criteria will ONLY be used where it is necessary to introduce additional job related criteria to ensure files are manageable. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how you meet these. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.

Factor
Criteria
Method of Assessment

Qualifications
Registration
Experience

Counselling certificate or diploma.
Experience in Ophthalmology.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Knowledge
Skills
Abilities
Experience of audit and service improvement.

Shortlisting by Application Form
And
Interview


NOTE:
Where educational/professional qualifications form part of the criteria you will be required, if shortlisted for interview, to produce original certificates and one photocopy of same issued by the appropriate authority. Only those certificates relevant to the shortlisting criteria should be produced. If educational certificates are not available an original letter and photocopy of same detailing examination results from your school or college will be accepted as an alternative.

If successful you will be required to produce documentary evidence that you are legally entitled to live and work in the United Kingdom. This documentation can be a P45, Payslip, National Insurance Card or a Birth Certificate confirming birth in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland. Failure to produce evidence will result in a non-appointment.

Where a post involves working in regulated activity with vulnerable groups, post holders will be required to register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority.

HSC Values

Whilst employees will be expected to portray all the values, particular attention is drawn to the following values for this role