Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and self-motivated 0.51 wte Band 7 Advanced Orthoptist - paediatric lead- with excellent interpersonal skills, to join our friendly innovative team based at the Royal Stoke University Hospital (RSUH). Services are provided at RSUH, County Hospital, community outreach clinics and orthoptic led vision screening.

Our department is very proactive, and we are always looking improve the service offered to our patients. Some of our specialist orthoptic services are: stroke, neuro-ophthalmology, TED, Botox, SEN, disc/IIH assessment, paediatric shared care with optometrists.

The post holder will work alongside 12 orthoptists, 1 orthoptic assistant, 3 clerical staff and will work closely with 2 paediatric Consultant Ophthalmologists - as well as 10 other consultant ophthalmologists.

Main duties of the job

• To provide comprehensive, high quality Orthoptic services as an advanced autonomous practitioner and to work as an effective member of the multi-disciplinary teams.
• To provide an extended specialist role as lead Orthoptist for paediatrics to include Paediatric ophthalmology shared care, paediatric ophthalmology, school screening, autism and special educational needs.
• To be responsible for writing and reviewing policies and develop staff within this service domain.
• To actively teach Orthoptics to medical and non-medical personnel and participate in the clinical supervision of Orthoptic undergraduate students, contributing towards their assessments.
• Maintain and enhance professional knowledge and skills required to practice as an advanced orthoptist and keep a personal professional development portfolio.
• To undertake audit and research activities.

About us
University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust is one of the largest and most modern in the country. Based across two sites, Royal Stoke in Stoke-on-Trent and County Hospital in Stafford, we are proud to serve around three million people and we're highly regarded for our facilities, teaching and research. We are the specialist centre for major trauma for the North Midlands and North Wales.

All of our employees make a valuable contribution regardless of role here at UHNM and we are proud of our wide range of development packages aimed at ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their true potential.

UHNM create and encourage a culture of inclusion, providing equal opportunities for career development that are fair and transparent. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture in which all staff feel valued and respected. In return we ask all of our employees to make a commitment to the values, co-created by or staff, patients and carers, and that unite us as a Trust.

At University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust we know that investing in, supporting and developing our staff has a direct impact on the quality of care that we deliver. Our employees are as important as our patients and the population that we serve.

Job responsibilities
To provide comprehensive, high quality Orthoptic services as an advanced autonomous practitioner and to work as an effective member of the multi-disciplinary teams.

To provide an extended specialist role as lead Orthoptist for paediatrics to include Paediatric ophthalmology shared care, paediatric ophthalmology, school screening, autism and special educational needs. They will require specialist knowledge within this discipline.

To develop staff working in this domain.

To use advanced clinical reasoning to assess, diagnose and manage patients referred to the Orthoptic Department including in-patients and out-patients. This includes new and follow-up patients as well as onward referral and safe discharge. Patients may have visual impairment, ocular motility disorders and or amblyopia. This needs specialist skills based on clinical and analytic reasoning and using evidence-based practice.

To be responsible for writing and reviewing policies within this service domain.

To undertake audit and research activities.

To oversee/lead the school vision screening in Stoke-on-Trent and any future vision screening in Staffordshire, liaising with the local councils, ICBs, finance and contract team and commissioners to ensure the service is ran efficiently for patient care and ensuring regular audits are compliant with KPI data.

To oversee/lead the Paediatric Ophthalmology Shared Care Service liaising weekly with accredited optometrists regarding patients, practice. Ensuring guidelines are regularly updated in line with national guidance and liaising with the local optical committee, primary eyecare services, ICBs and NHS England to ensure effective running of the service.

To oversee/lead the Orthoptic special school service, liaising with schools, ensuring competencies are following and being a support for junior members of staff.

To actively teach Orthoptics to medical and non-medical personnel and participate in the clinical supervision of Orthoptic undergraduate students, contributing towards their assessments.

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.