Specialist Orthoptist

at  Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a full time Orthoptist to join the Orthoptic Team at Southend University Hospital. The successful candidate will work alongside a dedicated team of Ophthalmologists, Orthoptists, Optometrists & Nurses in a busy but supportive department.
We require an enthusiastic and motivated Orthoptist to join our team of 4 other Orthoptists .
This position is ideal for a qualified Orthoptist looking to gain experience and is an excellent opportunity to develop your orthoptic skills in a forward thinking and progressive department. Newly qualified Orthoptists are welcome to apply and would be appointed at Band 5. The department would support with the BIOS preceptorship which would enable them to develop into the Band 6 role. The candidate must hold a current Orthoptic Qualification, and be registered with the HCPC.
The role is based at Southend University Hospital, but will involve working at Orsett hospital. We are a department of 4 Orthoptists, 9 Consultants, one of which has a specialist interest in paediatrics and strabismus, 5 Optometrists and 8 Technicians.
If you think you have the skills and enthusiasm for this role, then we want to hear from you.
The job involves Orthoptic assessment and diagnosis of patients covering a wide age range and a variety of clinical conditions. You will need to plan, implement and monitor individual treatment plans from an orthoptic, optical and advise on surgical recommendations, using evidence-based practice and advanced clinical reasoning.
In addition to core orthoptic clinics, the department also supports specialist paediatric, refraction, ocular motility and neuro-ophthalmology clinics. The post holder will also be required to undertake administrative duties consistent with the day to day functioning of an orthoptic clinic.
As a recognised Orthoptic undergraduate placement we also participate in clinical teaching of Orthoptics students on placement, as well as to medical students, ophthalmic nurses, optometrists and other health professionals visiting the Orthoptic department.
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is now one of the largest in the country, with a workforce of approximately 17,000 who serve a population of 1.2 million people.
We work together, and in conjunction with MSE Health and Care Partnership, to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients in a compassionate way, and provide a respectful, but vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.
From facilities through to consultant specialists we want to be the best, to achieve this we need to recruit not just those who are the finest in their field but also those who have the potential to be. Yes, experience is important but so is outlook – if you are dynamic, forward-thinking and enthusiastic we want you to join us.
We not only offer you a good working environment with flexible working opportunities, but also the opportunity to develop your career with access to appropriate training for your job and the support to succeed and progress.
We work closely with other members of our department carrying out joint paediatric clinics with both Optometrists and Ophthalmologists.
You will be required to participate in Eye casualty emergency clinics with patients referred from the Stroke unit, A&E and local external providers.
As a result, you must have good communication skills as you will work within a multi-disciplinary team of Orthoptists , Optometrists , Medical staff and nurses , and other non medical staff.
You will need to be able to communicate effectively with all age ranges from birth to end of life and be able to remain professional, providing clear explanations , as well as empathic and understanding as there is often a high level of anxiety when patients are attending hospital appointments.
For further details regarding the role responsibilities and the entry requirements, please see the combined job description and person specification.
We look forward to your application.
For further information please contact: Alex Landells (Head Orthoptist)
alexandra.landells@nhs.net 01702 435555 ext 7044
or Laura Roberts (Lead Orthoptist) on: Laura.Roberts38@nhs.net 01702 435555 ext 689

Please refer the Job description for details