Job summary
Due to the creation of a new Consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist post, we are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity for two experienced and enthusiastic Orthoptists to join our team at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust.

This is an exciting opportunity to work within a supportive and expanding service, contributing to the delivery of high-quality care for paediatric ophthalmology patients. We are looking for motivated professionals with excellent clinical skills, a commitment to patient-centred care, and a passion for service development.

Main duties of the job

• Independently assessing, diagnosing and managing patients with ocular motility defects, binocular vision anomalies, amblyopia, strabismus and visual developmental disorders.
• Providing specialist Orthoptic assessment and treatment for paediatric and adult patients in outpatient and community settings as required.
• Supporting the newly established Paediatric Ophthalmology service and working closely with the Consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist and wider multidisciplinary team.
• Participating in specialist clinics, including paediatric ophthalmology, strabismus, and other extended-role clinics as appropriate.
• Undertaking visual acuity testing, assessment of binocular vision, ocular motility examinations and other specialist Orthoptic investigations.
• Contributing to the development and delivery of patient care pathways and service improvements.
• Providing advice, education and support to patients, families, carers and healthcare professionals.
• Maintaining accurate and timely clinical records in accordance with Trust policies and professional standards.
• Supervising, supporting and contributing to the training of Orthoptic students, assistant practitioners and less experienced colleagues.
• Participating in clinical audit, research, quality improvement initiatives and continuing professional development activities.
• Working flexibly across sites and clinics within the service to meet patient and departmental needs.

About us
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust provides high-quality hospital and community healthcare services to a population of more than 600,000 people across East Lancashire and surrounding areas. The Trust employs over 10,000 staff and delivers a wide range of acute and specialist services across its main hospital sites and community settings.

Our Ophthalmology Department is a forward-thinking and supportive service committed to delivering excellent patient care through innovation, teamwork and continuous improvement. The Orthoptic team works closely with Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, nurses and allied health professionals to provide comprehensive care for both paediatric and adult patients.

We are committed to supporting the professional development of our staff and offer access to a wide range of learning opportunities, clinical supervision, continuing professional development activities and leadership programmes. We value diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and strive to create a working environment where all colleagues feel respected, supported and able to achieve their full potential.

Job responsibilities
For more information about the role and responsibilities please see the attached job description and person specification.

Person Specification
Essential

• Diploma/Degree in Orthoptics

Desirable

• Experience in specialist orthoptic areas
• BIOS Recognised Teaching Qualification

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.