Advertised role location: Trustwide based in Shankill WTC
Official document: Job Description / Personnel Specification (docx)
JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE
Optometrist

BAND
6

DIRECTORATE
Ophthalmology

LOCATION

Ophthalmology Services (Belfast and other outreach locations)

REPORTS TO
Head/Deputy Heads of Optometry

ACCOUNTABLE TO
Ophthalmology Service Manager

Job Summary

The post holder will work under the direction of the Head / Deputy Heads of Optometry to deliver core optometry services to the highest standards of quality and care. The post holder will deliver direct clinical optometric care to patients across sites serviced by BHSCT, and other Trust locations as required.
The post holder will also be expected to undertake delegated administrative duties relating to the optometry service and clinical audit/research as agreed with the Head / Deputy Heads of Optometry. In addition, the successful applicant will provide teaching and training to students from various disciplines.


Key Duties & Responsibilities

Clinical:

To undertake a broad range of core optometry services. These may include paediatric and adult refraction, low vision assessment, visual assessment of adults with learning disability, corneal topography, dispensing of optical aids, medical contact lens management, assisting in the macular service, and verification of contact lenses and spectacles.
To participate in a programme for the advanced development of personal clinical expertise in accordance with individual performance objectives which are agreed with the Head and Deputy Heads of Optometry. This will take the form of an annual staff development review.
To work in a multi-disciplinary environment and communicate effectively with other relevant healthcare professionals e.g. orthoptists, ophthalmologists, ophthalmic nursing staff, rehabilitation workers, social workers, day-care workers, technical staff and administrative staff.
To accurately assess and measure visual function, analyse and interpret clinical tests and provide the appropriate optical intervention. This will involve discussing and advising on alternative optical appliances. To perform techniques requiring highly developed skills with significant levels of hand, eye and sensory co-ordination e.g. slit lamp biomicroscopy, handling of contact lenses, instillation of ophthalmic drugs.
To be able to work autonomously in outreach clinics.
The post will involve travel between outreach clinics and base.

Managerial/Administrative Duties:

To manage own clinical workload.
To contribute to the development of clinical protocols and best working practice.
To maintain stock control in individual outreach clinics and ensure equipment is in working order.
To keep accurate patient records and record clinical activity.
To abide by all Trust policies and comply with health and safety regulations.

Teaching and Training:

To assist in the supervision of pre-registration optometrists, as required.
To undertake delegated teaching and training of medical, nursing and optometry students.
To participate in continuing education and training as required by the General Optical Council.
To complete all mandatory training in line with Trust policies.

Research and Audit:
To participate, when required, working to protocol in NHS led research projects.
To assist in clinical audit.



In addition to the duties of your post there are additional duties that all employees of the Belfast Trust are expected to carry out. A summary of these can be found here.



PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE
Optometrist

BAND
6

DIRECTORATE
Optometry/Ophthalmology


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 in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note the Trust reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined in Section 3 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


SECTION 1: 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
Ideally no more than 6-8 criteria in this section
Method of Assessment

Experience


Shortlisting by Application Form

Qualifications/ Registration
BSc (Hons) in Optometry (2:2 or above)
Current GOC registration
MCOptom or equivalent
Shortlisting by Application Form

Other
Current full driving licence valid for use in the UK and access to a car on appointment and must be able to work in different health service locations relevant to Service need.
Where disability prohibits driving, this criteria will be waived if the applicant is able to organise suitable alternative arrangements

Shortlisting by Application Form

SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:

Skills / Abilities

Interview

Knowledge

Interview

DESIRABLE CRITERIA


SECTION 3: these 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 criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted

Factor
Criteria
Method of Assessment

Experience

Previous hospital optometry experience.
Experience in paediatric refraction, low vision and contact lens services.


Shortlisting by Application Form

Qualifications


Shortlisting by Application Form



All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times
All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times