Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

To work autonomously, but within professional boundaries, taking sole responsibility for the orthoptic assessment, diagnosis and treatment of all patients referred to the orthoptic department including eye casualty, child development centre, paediatrics, neurology, stroke, rehabilitation and maxillofacial services. This will include babies’, children and adults varied medical conditions and neurological disorders some with severe visual defects as both inpatients and outpatients.

Carry out ocular motility assessment and measurement accurately, applying speed and dexterity with an approach that is sympathetic and acceptable to patients of all ages and abilities. Assessment of babies and children requires quick accurate observation and skilled interpretation.

Formulate individualised management and treatment plans using clinical reasoning and a wide range of treatment skills, which integrate scientific, medical and social aspects of patient care

Prioritise health problems and intervene appropriately to assist the patient in complex, urgent or emergency situations, including initiation of effective emergency care.

Undertake pre and post-operative measurements of ocular motility defects; discuss surgical options with the ophthalmologist; identify post-operative risks and discuss this with patients, parents or carer.

To assist surgeon in post-operative adjustable suture techniques. This requires accurate measurement to assist the surgeon with ocular alignment whilst the patient is under local anaesthesia.

To assess patients’ post-operative outcome and modify treatment accordingly.

Assess and interpret visual fields using the Humphrey visual field analyser and Goldman perimeter providing feedback and where required a summary of the results obtained to the referrer and other professionals.

As an autonomous practitioner, the post-holder will be responsible for the decision to instil drops for diagnostic and refraction purposes, the appropriate strength required and to advise patients of the side effects.

To administer medication in accordance with PGD, or under medical exemptions registration.

To instruct and negotiate the implementation of the care package with individual patients and their carers to ensure compliance, in such as to overcome ant barriers to understanding.

Provide motivational support for patients and parents undergoing prolonged and difficult treatments.

Ensure full and accurate documentation in patient notes of clinical history, physical examination, diagnosis and treatment plan.

To work as a part of a multi-disciplinary team consisting of Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Orthoptists, Ophthalmic technicians Nurses, and Clerks etc.

To take part in clinical audit.

To participate in clinical teaching to a wide range of professionals.

To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of techniques and technology and to attend appropriate training as part of our CPD (continuing professional development) and to be responsible for maintaining your own CPD folder.

To be responsible for managing and incorporating any unplanned workload in such a way as to minimise inconvenience to patients and maximise the smooth running of the Orthoptic and eye clinics.

To assist and provide internal cover for colleagues during periods of annual leave, sickness and vacancies.

To utilise a range of verbal and non-verbal (e.g. Makaton sign language) mechanisms in the assessment and communication of treatment plans to patients and parents to progress visual improvement. This will include patients who may have difficulties in understanding e.g. stroke victims, patients with a learning disability.

To be aware of barriers to communication and be able to overcome them effectively with for example: learning disabled parents; where English is not the first language; with patients with expressive language difficulties (stroke victims)

To tactfully explain the details of the medical condition which may be highly complex. This requires a holistic and tactful approach where patients or parents have no knowledge of the ocular defects associated with particular medical conditions and / or who have difficulty accepting the diagnosis.

To communicate initial potential diagnosis which may be of a distressing nature.

To liaise with the Head Orthoptist regarding problems arising.