Lead for low vision services and Deputy Head (South of Trust)NHS
Job summary
A permanent position has become available for a lead Low Vision Specialist and Deputy Head Orthoptist leading Orthoptic Services in the South of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust. This is a dynamic department with a strong focus on quality which is constantly striving to improve services for our patients and ensure that their experience is as good as possible. We are looking for a forward thinking and innovative Orthoptist to become part of our team.
Main duties of the job
The candidate will perform both new and follow-up low visual aid assessments on patients throughout the Trust, managing the service to ensure timely assessment and onward referral to allied services. They will work closely with both Ophthalmology and third sector services to ensure low vision needs are identified and managed appropriately. In addition to leading the low vision service they will be responsible for the day to day management of Orthoptic services in the South of the Trust as Deputy Head (South of Trust) and will also hold their own general Orthoptic case load. The successful candidate will therefore require excellent communication and organisational skills. As the postholder is clinical lead for the low vision services and Orthoptic services South of Trust they will be required to support strategic planning for the service in conjunction with the Head Orthoptist and other leaders within the Trust..
Job description
The post holder will act as a source of expertise on the management of ocular motility disorder to patients, carers, other health care professionals, G.P.s and Ophthalmology Medical staff. They will be required to accurately diagnose and develop effective treatment plans for patients and ensure timely review both in general Orthoptics and the low vision service.
They will work as part of the multi-disciplinary Ophthalmology team throughout the Trust and will efficiently plan work and travel time between units within the Trust ensuring patients are seen as soon as possible for their low vision assessments. They will appropriately discharge and make onward referral to other services within the Trust for both Ophthalmological and emotional support, involving external agencies such as the DVLA and local government sensory support services where necessary. As lead of service, they will be required to monitor its effectiveness through audit and service evaluation considering waiting times, Key Performance Indicators and patient experience, using them to strategically plan for continuous service improvement. The post holder will be required to educate and train other health care professionals, undergraduate Orthoptic students, medical students, Opticians and work experience students. They will be required to participate actively in continuous professional development to benefit both themselves and the Orthoptic services.
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.
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