Job summary
Are you an experienced Orthoptist ready to gain experience in leadership? This post is for 12 months fixed term maternity leave cover.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated and forward-thinking Deputy Head Orthoptist to join our friendly and supportive team. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Orthoptist to develop their leadership and management skills whilst continuing to provide high-quality specialist clinical care.

Working closely with the Head Orthoptist, you will play an important role in the day-to-day leadership and development of the Orthoptic service. You will support the delivery of safe, effective and patient-centred care and contribute to the ongoing improvement and development of the service.

Main duties of the job
As Deputy Head Orthoptist, you will support the Head Orthoptist in the effective management and leadership of the Orthoptic service, including deputising in their absence.

You will provide senior clinical expertise and support to the Orthoptic team, managing patients with a broad range of complex ophthalmic and orthoptic conditions. You will work collaboratively with Ophthalmologists, Optometrists and the wider multidisciplinary team to ensure high standards of patient care.

You will contribute to:

• The day-to-day operational management of the Orthoptic service.
• Clinical leadership and support for Orthoptists and wider members of the team.
• The assessment, diagnosis and management of patients with complex orthoptic and ophthalmic conditions.
• Service development and the implementation of new ways of working.
• Clinical governance, audit, quality improvement and risk management.
• Workforce planning and the effective use of resources.
• Education, supervision and professional development of staff.
• Maintaining and developing clinical standards in line with professional and Trust requirements.
• Supporting recruitment, induction and development of Orthoptic staff.
• Working closely with the wider Ophthalmology and multidisciplinary teams.

This role provides an excellent opportunity to contribute to the future development of the Orthoptic service whilst developing your own leadership and management experience.

About us
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community.We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence, and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence.These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel.

In 2023NHS England launched its first sexual safety charter, and our Trust proudly signed it. We pledge zero tolerance for inappropriate sexual behaviour and commit to the ten core principles Oxford University Hospitals promotes a safe, respectful hiring environment. If you want to make a difference with us, come and join our team. Together, we will uphold the highest standards of care and professionalism.

Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details of the role and responsibilities.

Qualifications and training
Essential:

• BSc or equivalent qualification in Orthoptics.
• HCPC registration as an Orthoptist.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.

Desirable:

• Relevant leadership, management or postgraduate qualification.
• Further specialist training relevant to the role.

Experience
Essential:

• Significant post-registration experience as an Orthoptist.
• Broad clinical experience across a range of orthoptic and ophthalmic conditions.
• Experience of managing complex patients.
• Experience of working effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Evidence of involvement in audit, clinical governance, service development or quality improvement.
• Experience of supporting or supervising colleagues and/or students.

Desirable:

• Previous experience in a senior or leadership role.
• Experience of service management and workforce planning.
• Experience of implementing service improvements or new ways of working.

Skills and abilities
Essential:

• Excellent clinical assessment and decision-making skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to provide clinical leadership and support to colleagues.
• Ability to prioritise workload and manage competing demands.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care.
• Ability to demonstrate initiative and contribute positively to service development.

Additional information
We welcome applications from candidates who are passionate about Orthoptics and who are keen to develop their leadership skills.

Person Specification
Essential:

• qualified orthoptist with HCPC registration
• 5 years clinical experience

Desirable:

• MSc qualification in leadership or ACP

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 (Opens in a new tab).

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 (Opens in a new tab).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).