Optometrist (Specialist)

Optometrist (Specialist)

Closing date : 11 January

We are seeking 1.2 WTE motivated and enthusiastic optometrists to join our dedicated team at Newcastle Eye Centre.

The posts offer an exciting opportunity to develop clinical skills and progress clinical interest in a hospital setting and will offer experienced optometrists without hospital experience, the opportunity to experience working life in a busy, fast paced hospital clinic and to gain clinical experience relevant to the higher qualifications offered by the College of Optometrists.

We are also keen to hear from newly qualified optometrists (including those who are anticipated to qualify in Summer ) with a genuine interest in hospital optometry.

We will offer you a structured career path, commencing at Band 6 with progression to Specialist Optometrist (Band 7) upon successful completion of a residency period, expected within 2 years.

You will be actively involved in the core optometry service and undertake rotations through our glaucoma, medical retina and cataract services, along with regular sessions in the eye emergency department.

You will join the trust's preceptorship scheme which will support you with the challenges that the newly qualified health professional can meet.

Interview Date : 21 January

You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy.

Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE

Main duties of the job

Successful candidates will have the opportunity to gain experience in core optometry clinics, developing skills in low visual aid assessment, specialist contact lenses and paediatric assessment.

There will also be the opportunity to develop skills in the eye emergency department and specialist ophthalmology clinics such as YAG capsulotomy, glaucoma, medical retina and anterior eye, depending on clinical interests, experience level, and additional qualifications.

We are heavily involved in research providing assessments for patients' participating in ophthalmology and non-ophthalmology research trials and have a strong working relationship with our colleagues in the Sir Bobby Robson Oncology Unit.

Non-clinical activities include audit, quality improvement and teaching a variety of staff including resident doctors, nurses, and optometrists.

A flexible approach is essential to working in fast paced and busy clinics and additional qualifications or previous experience are essential to be appointed to Band 7.

Candidates without the necessary qualifications or experience may be appointed as Band 6 and progress to Band 7 on attainment of the required qualifications / experience.

Full support will be given, and this will be expected to be achieved within 2 years.

If you are an optometrist looking for the opportunity to develop your knowledge and clinical skills within hospital optometry, we strongly encourage you to apply.

About us

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you.

Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement.

If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.

With around 2 million contacts with patients every year, we deliver care from :

Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)

Freeman Hospital

Newcastle Dental Hospital

Newcastle Fertility Centre

Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria

Northern Genetics Service

These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.

We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.

Job responsibilities

To deliver a quality of service matching clinical need to available resources within the focus of Specialist Optometrist practice.

To take a lead role in extending Optometrists involvement in highly-specialised clinics, for example :

Highly specialised medically necessary contact lenses.

Low vision assessment.

To work as an independent practitioner and to work as part of a multidisciplinary team, providing an extensive range of advanced Optometric services to the highest standards of quality and care.

To ensure that the patient is the central focus.

Working as a Specialist Optometrist, provide a prompt response to calls from colleagues, prioritising importance and clinical need.

Manage own caseload to include assessment, investigation, diagnosis and treatment within defined parameters and training.

Provide immediate care management of patients including communication of plan to patients and significant others.

Review and refer to appropriate person, e.g. Consultant Ophthalmologist.

Liaise with Eye Clinic Liaison Officer for patients with untreatable sight loss.

Provide specialist education and training at post-graduate level to qualified and pre-registration Optometrists and multiple disciplines in Ophthalmology.

To undertake administrative responsibilities as determined by the Head or Deputy Head of Optometry.

Person Specification

Band 7

Registered Optometrist

GOC registration requiring Post Graduate Qualification continuing Education and Training to Masters Level

Further highly developed specialist knowledge including theoretical and clinical training.

e.g. O College of Optometrists Diploma in Ocular Therapeutics O College of Optometrists Diploma in Glaucoma O Accredited Slit Lamp examiner under Diabetic Retinal Screening programme.

O Highly specialised medically necessary contact lens fitting and after care

The ability to practice at a level comparable to a Specialist Registrar doctor including clinical history taking; ocular examination skills.

Extensive post registration experience, some of which will be at a senior level within the required specialist area of practice

Evidence of ongoing continuous professional development

Knowledge and understanding of relevant NHS policy or project specific policy context.

Knowledge and experience of adult / child safeguarding.

Research and audit experience

Evidence of excellent communication and interpersonal skills including effective report writing

Effective organisation and time management skills

Change management skills and involvement in project work

Excellent IT skills including word-processing, use of spreadsheets and databases

Able to work independently and across disciplines as a member of a multidisciplinary team

Full driving licence

Experience of teaching

Previous employment in Hospital Eye Service

Counselling skills

Band 6

BSc in Optometry plus postgraduate qualification Continuing Education and Training (CET)

Registered with General Optical Council

General appearance to be business-like and professional

Good written and verbal communication skills

Flexible approach to working patterns

Ability to work independently and also as part of a multidisciplinary team

Physical ability to perform all necessary Optometric duties

Well motivated and enthusiastic

IT skills including word-processing, use of spreadsheets and databases

BSc in Optometry plus postgraduate qualification Continuing Education and Training (CET)

Registered with GOC

Member of the College of Optometrists

Comply with annual re-registration requirements by taking ownership of own development, identifying training needs, maintaining CET accreditation, 6-monthly re-accreditation in specialist refraction procedures, updating Personal Development Plan

Advanced knowledge of legal aspects of Optometry

Demonstrates Optometric techniques to pre-registration Optometrists, junior medial staff, nurses and support workers

Communicates effectively with all members of the multi disciplinary team, requires concise and accurate verbal and written reports

Communicates condition related information, breaking bad news on a daily basis that has life changing consequences e.g. untreatable sight loss / blindness, loss of driving licence due to sight loss.

Patients are frequently elderly.

Work closely with all members of the multi disciplinary team to ensure an efficient service and high level of patient care in line with Trust policy

Acknowledge and accommodate barriers to communication and understanding, works with elderly patients and carers on a daily basis.

Patients frequently have other sensory loss and / or special needs

Liaise with appropriate support services particularly in patients with substantial visual loss.

Liaise with and give detailed medial information to all members of the Ophthalmology team

Previous work in hospital eye service

Experience of teaching

Previous involvement in clinical / medical audit

Full clean driving licence

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 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.

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