Clinical Lead Optometrist - Eye Casualty

at  University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

This is an exciting opportunity for a highly experienced Optometrist to join the Optometry team at UHCW.
As a Clinical Lead Optometrist, you will have the highest level of clinical knowledge and skills and be able to demonstrate the ability to work independently across sub-specialities and core optometry services. You will have excellent communication and leadership skills as you will play an integral role in developing optometrist’s extended role in Eye Casualty, research involvement and liaise with external agencies as we collaborate with primary care providers to improve eye health care provision for our patients.
To manage and provide professional clinical leadership for the Optometrists working in advanced clinical roles in the Eye Casualty service (EERS). This will involve working alongside a multidisciplinary team of Ophthalmologists, Orthoptists, Nurses and technicians to ensure an excellent Eye Casualty service is provided and that the local patient access targets are achieved by addressing the changing needs of the Directorate and other outside agencies. Responsibility of producing and maintaining clinical protocols, organising teaching and carrying out audits are part of this job role.
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.
We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.
Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.
We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence® designated organisation – please click the link for further details about this prestigious award. Pathway To Excellence ® - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (uhcw.nhs.uk)
By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.
The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation’s core values

Clinical

• To work as an autonomous independent practitioner managing patient caseloads presenting in the relevant sub-speciality clinics involved in advanced optometric extended roles which result in decisions being made on treatment (i.e., prescribing of eye related medication, listing for cataract surgery), discharge or subsequent referral to subspecialty Consultant clinics.
• To work as an autonomous independent practitioner managing patient caseloads presenting in Core optometric services. This includes refraction (routine, diagnostic and paediatric) theatre refractions, specialist medical contact lens management (keratoconus, post-graft, high myopia/hyperopia, cosmetic, diagnostic), visual impairment rehabilitation, in-house spectacle dispensing.
• To work closely with the Principal and Lead Optometrists, to deliver a comprehensive range of Core Optometric services and advanced extended role clinics, to the highest standard of quality and care.
• Working across Rugby and UHCW site. Saturday working in eye casualty triage as required.
• Promote best practice throughout Optometry and provide expert advice to Optometrist, Medical staff and Allied Health Professionals in the management of complex cases.
• Responsibility for overseeing training and supervision for all grades of staff and to personally undertake specialist clinical activity requiring extensive knowledge, experience and expertise. For example, foreign body removal from the cornea.
• Responsible for applying advanced specialised clinical techniques including corneal pachymetry, ocular B-scan and corneal topography to provide specialised clinical interpretation for the consultant.
• To participate in the audit frameworks within the department and cooperate fully in any audit of clinical work and competency assessments undertaken by the leads and management. To assist in implementing any change identified.

For further details of the role please see the attached job description

Please refer the Job description for details