Detailed job description and main responsibilities

KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical

1.    To act as an autonomous practitioner taking clinical responsibility for the effective diagnosis, treatment and management of own orthoptic caseload.

This group comprises babies, children and adults of all ages  referred from a wide range of specialities including paediatrics, neurology, stroke rehabilitation, A/E, G.P.’s and H.V.’s. This group also includes pre and post operative patients.

2.    The patient group frequently requires significant manual dexterity, speed and experience to ensure accurate results and measurements. There are often additional diagnoses of ADHD, severe developmental delay, mobility impairment, communication difficulties and behavioural challenges eg autism spectrum condition.

3.    The post holder will work as an autonomous practitioner to make clinical decisions on treatment and management plans for their own patients. eg occlusion treatment in children which must be implemented with caution and carefully monitored in order to avoid irreversible complications. Clinical decisions can be discussed with senior colleagues where necessary.

4.    The post holder will undertake visual field testing, performing both manual and automated perimetry. This patient group includes children and adults, referred from glaucoma clinics, general ophthalmology clinics, paediatric and adult oncology, neurology, general medicine and endocrinology.

5.    To undertake primary community vision screening when required.

6.    The post holder will undertake OCT and fundus photography when required.

7.    The post holder will contribute in departmental meetings to the formation of departmental treatment plans and discharge guidelines.

Organisational

1.    The post holder will take personal responsibility for accurate/informative record keeping of own patient caseload.

2.    The post holder will maintain and utilise Department and Trust Information systems currently in use and will ensure the accuracy of patient information held within Patient Administration Systems.

3.    The post holder will assist in ensuring the integration of hospital and community services.

4.    The post holder will deal with enquiries that arise during the working day and liaise with the Head/Deputy Head Orthoptist where appropriate.

5.    Other duties as required by the Head Orthoptist or deputy to ensure the day to day smooth running of the department, highlighting any problems with service delivery to the Head Orthoptist.

Professional

1.    The post holder will be accountable for their own clinical practice.

2.    The post holder will ensure accurate and efficient maintenance of patient clinical records and the recording of patient data in accordance with Trust and departmental policy.

3.    The post holder will maintain continuous professional development by attending appropriate courses, by self-directed learning and reflective practices and by keeping an up to date knowledge of techniques and technology in line with the requirements of the HCPC.

4.    The post holder will keep an up to date continuous professional development portfolio.

5.    The post holder will maintain ongoing registration with the HCPC.

6.    The post holder will practise according to the BIOS Competency Standards and Professional Practice Guidelines, the HCPC Standards of Proficiency, and Trust and Departmental policies and protocols, including Health and Safety regulations.

7.    The post holder will attend and take a full part in Departmental and Trust wide Ophthalmology audits including researching and presenting own topics on a regular basis when required.

8.    The post holder will participate in the Trusts annual appraisal process.

9.    The post holder will respect patient and staff confidentiality at all times.

Teaching

The postholder will assist with the teaching of Orthoptics to other professions including doctors, Medical students, optometrists, nurses and health visitors.

Communication

1.    The post holder will be expected to communicate effectively and sympathetically with patients of all ages and abilities and their parents and carers. This can involve imparting sensitive and complex information about their eye condition, using explanation, persuasion and motivation as necessary and ensuring informed consent for treatment. This requires special skills where there are barriers to understanding such as deafness, learning difficulties, cognitive impairment, language or cultural barriers (including where English is not the first language).

2.    The post holder will provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction to patients, carers and relatives.

3.    The post holder will communicate effectively with other staff members of all disciplines within the hospital eye department and community clinics, including fellow orthoptists, ophthalmologists, nurses, optometrists and other professional groups.

4.    The post holder will deal appropriately with complex and/or sensitive information and ensure by liaison with peers and other professional groups the proper ongoing care plan for the patient and/or carers concerned.