Overview
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Orthoptist to take on a key leadership role within the Orthoptic service at MKUH. The Deputy Head Orthoptist will support the Head Orthoptist in operational management, service development, clinical governance, and education of the Orthoptic team. The role combines advanced clinical practice with leadership responsibilities, contributing to high‑quality, patient‑centred care across a range of ophthalmic subspecialties while ensuring the service meets increasing demand.
Responsibilities
- Take the lead and manage the operational element of the Orthoptic service.
- Deputise for the Head Orthoptist in their absence for managerial elements of the service.
- Provide clinical and professional leadership to the Orthoptic service, deputising for the Head Orthoptist when necessary.
- Deliver Orthoptic services as an autonomous practitioner, working within professional guidelines and policies and providing a comprehensive service to paediatric and adult patients within the hospital and other locations as required.
- Assess, diagnose, manage and treat patients with a wide range of ophthalmic and ocular motility disorders.
- Undertake one or more specialised Orthoptic clinic roles such as Stroke, Orthoptic screening lead, intravitreal injections, ECLO, biometry clinics and assessment of children with additional needs (special educational needs, visual impairment, specific learning difficulties).
- Independently assess and manage complex neurological patients, referring to the Consultant Ophthalmologist as required.
- Participate in departmental education programme, including training of Orthoptic undergraduate students, pre‑registration optometrists, junior doctors, health visitors, school nurses and others.
- Act as a source of expertise on the management of ocular motility disorders to patients, other healthcare professionals, GPs and consultants.
- Work autonomously within professional boundaries to conduct orthoptic assessment, diagnosis and treatment for patients referred from ophthalmology, including urgent service, vision screening, paediatrics, stroke, and maxillofacial services.
- Assess and diagnose paediatric and adult new and follow‑up patients, develop and manage a specialised programme of care appropriate to the needs of the individual patient, and comply with national and local guidelines.
Qualifications & Experience
You are a highly skilled and experienced Orthoptist with advanced theoretical knowledge and well‑developed clinical expertise. You are able to independently assess, diagnose and manage complex Orthoptic conditions and provide clinical leadership and support to colleagues. You have experience of service development, supervision and supporting education and training, and you are motivated to contribute positively to team development and service improvement.
#J-18808-Ljbffr