Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1.            To take responsibility as an autonomous practitioner for the orthoptic assessment, diagnosis and treatment of all patients referred to the service from various specialities. This takes place mainly, though not solely, in an outpatient setting.

2.            To formulate and monitor individual management and treatment plans for patients of all ages using advanced clinical reasoning and to communicate these effectively with the patient, parent or carer to gain informed consent. This includes children and adults with communication and learning difficulties as well as ocular motility and visual defects.

3.            To initiate treatment and management of squint and amblyopia using individual treatment plans. This includes treating infants and children with significant sight problems and requires a considerable degree of empathy and family support.  Communication may be difficult with many patients, either due to language or other comprehension barriers.

4.            To assess patients referred from other specialties and departments e.g., neurology, maxillo facial, paediatrics, eye casualty and using specialist knowledge formulate an accurate diagnosis and future programme of care, including advice to medical colleagues. This group of patients often have complex medical conditions, congenital or developmental abnormalities, as well as acute ocular motility defects. 

5.            To instil Prescription Only Medicine eye drops according to departmental Patient Group Directions.  This will include very young babies and young children as well as adults.

6.            To undertake orthoptic/optometry combined care clinics, taking direct referrals and then from the results of assessment make diagnoses and clinical management decisions, to include referral to consultant clinics or discharge.

7.            To undertake pre and post-operative measurements of ocular motility defects, on which to base the timing and type of operation, and to discuss surgical options with the ophthalmic surgeon. 

8.            To carry out roles in the department of ophthalmology consistent with the extended role of the orthoptist, using specialist knowledge of refraction and binocular vision as well as ocular and neuro anatomy and physiology. 

9.            To assist with visual field clinics as necessary using the Humphrey automated perimeter and manual Goldmann as required.

10.         To undertake biometry and assessment of patients in two stop cataract clinics or pre assessment clinics

11.         To maintain accurate, detailed clinical records, in either electronic form or hand written in accordance with departmental policy, of all patients seen.

 Peripheral Clinic Duties

1.            To be responsible for the provision and development of the orthoptic service, including the extended roles for one of the peripheral hospitals and to ensure that developments are implemented satisfactorily.

2.            To carry out roles within the peripheral hospital ophthalmology clinics using specialist knowledge consistent with the extended role of the orthoptist e.g. visual field assessment, biometry as part of the cataract assessment clinics and tonometry.

3.            To keep Head Orthoptist informed of all developments 

4.            To liaise with the Head Orthoptist to ensure adequate staffing levels during planned periods of absence in the designated peripheral clinic.

5.            To inform peripheral hospital managers of developments in technology so that equipment can be purchased to ensure the best level of service.

6.            To provide professional advice to other health care workers in the ophthalmic team.

7.            To organise and manage all pre and post clinic administration, documentation, correspondence and statistics.

8.            To plan and prioritise own workload and to adjust the orthoptic clinics to maintain appropriate number of patients and send appointments accordingly.

9.            To represent the peripheral orthoptic service on relevant local committees.

10.         To report Health and Safety issues to the hospital manager.

Service Delivery & Development

1.            To assist in the clinical teaching of undergraduate orthoptists appropriate to their needs using a variety of methods.

2.            To liaise with school nurses, health visitors, social workers, peripatetic teachers of the visually impaired  and medical staff in the hospital and community, via the Head Orthoptist if necessary.

3.            To assist in the teaching of pre-registration optometrists, medical students, junior doctors, nurses, health visitors and other healthcare workers to the appropriate level.

4.            To maintain accurate and contemporaneous records of own CPD

5.            To organise and participate in local and national audits.

6.            To comply with local and national policies and standards.

7.            To offer support and assistance to more junior orthoptists

Governance

1.         To comply with local clinical protocols and policies and participate in their annual review. Take responsibility for alerting the head Orthoptist to any breaches or operational concerns.

2.         To participate in the staff appraisal scheme as appraisee and to act as appraiser for non-registered technical staff

3.         To understand and work within all agreed hospital policies where they relate to patients, visitors and staff, safety and welfare.

5.         To report accidents or untoward incidents involving patients, visitors or staff immediately following their occurrence.

6.         To have a full working knowledge of all fire escapes, fire equipment and fire procedures involving areas of work.

7.         To ensure place of work is a safe working environment. Actively contribute to infection control procedures within the working environment. Report all hazards that could involve patients, visitors or staff to the Head Orthoptist

8.         To comply with Trust requirements for mandatory training including fire lecture, manual handling, CPR, child protection and incident reporting.

Patient/Customer Service

1.            To plan and prioritise individual work load.

2.            To assist in carrying out administrative tasks including arranging cover for clinics during planned absence and amending clinic templates accordingly

3.            To maintained all patient records to the highest standard whether written or electronic.

4.            To dictate letters on all patients seen summarising clinical findings for the parent and GP.

5.            To report any faulty equipment and stock to be ordered to the Head /Deputy Head Orthoptist.

6.            To report low stock levels to appropriate person.

7.            To be aware of Health and Safety issues within the department and report concerns to the Head/Deputy Head Orthoptist.

Risk Management and Patient Safety

1.            Use specialist knowledge, skills and innovative practice in order to provide a high standard of patient care and maintain patient safety.

2.            Actively promote infection prevention and control awareness using best practice to reduce the potential for cross infection.

3.            Use programmes of effective and relevant education to promote staff compliance with policies, practices and patient safety.

4.            To comply with local clinical protocols and policies and participate in their annual review. Take responsibility for alerting the Head Orthoptist to any breaches or operational concerns.

5.            To participate in the staff appraisal scheme as appraisee.

6.            To understand and work within all agreed hospital policies where they relate to patients, visitors and staff, safety and welfare.

7.            To report accidents or untoward incidents involving patients, visitors or staff to the Head Orthoptist or their delegated deputy, immediately following their occurrence and complete a DATIX form.

8.            To have a full working knowledge of all fire escapes, fire equipment and fire procedures involving areas of work.

9.            To ensure place of work is a safe working environment. Actively contribute to infection control procedures within the working environment. Report all hazards that could involve patients, visitors or staff to the head orthoptist

10.         To comply with Trust requirements for mandatory training.

Research

To assist with recruitment of participants for the research team at University of Leicester.