Orthoptist

Staff Grade Orthoptist

Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

We are pleased to advertise a full time permanent Staff Grade Orthoptic post at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin.  We would like to invite you to join our team of enthusiastic and motivated Orthoptists, Ophthalmologists and Clinical Nurse Specialists in a busy Neuroscience Centre.

This post provides a varied and interesting caseload in a multidisciplinary environment and involves specialist clinics such as neuro-ophthalmology, orbital, and botox clinics.  The post holder will be assessing and managing adult patients in the ocular motility clinic, A+E patients, and gain expertise in clinics involving complex strabismus and neurology. The orthoptist will be partaking in acute assessment of acquired brain injury and neurological patients, and manage these patients for their ongoing rehabilitation.  This post provides an excellent opportunity in Ireland’s neurosciences centre.

The post holder will have a mentor and be well supported throughout their role.  Professional development is encouraged and opportunities exist for participation in clinical audits and undergraduate/postgraduate teaching within the department.

HSE re-location package available for applicants outside of the Republic of Ireland.                                         

Position Summary:

Clinical Duties

• To be responsible as an autonomous practitioner for the orthoptic management and perimetry assessments of your own specific workload, working within established protocols.
• To perform visual fields using both the Octopus and Humphrey visual field machines
• Management of a clinical caseload using strong clinical knowledge and skills and an ability to work on own initiative as well as part of a team.
• To provide orthoptic support within dedicated ocular motility and neuro-ophthalmology clinics. These clinics require varied investigations techniques utilising different tests and then analysing and interpreting the test results and other patient factors that may impact on the diagnosis and management. This may involve discussions with a senior clinician on the clinical findings.
• To conduct an orthoptic and Perimetry assessment that will require varied investigations techniques utilising different tests and then analysing and interpreting the test results and other patient factors that may impact on the diagnosis and management.
• To provide clear and concise documentation in the form of Hess charts and Octopus visual fields which may influence the need for surgical intervention, thereby forming an integral role in the multi-disciplinary investigation, diagnosis and treatment medical &/or trauma patients.
• To conclude a diagnosis for orthoptic patients which is supported by sound investigative techniques using problem solving and advanced analytical skills.
• To be responsible for planning, implementing and monitoring individual orthoptic treatment plans/ care pathways for patients of all ages using sound clinical reasoning and evidence based practice.
• To assess patients results and act when they show instability or new clinical signs.
• To work within a mutli-disciplinary team with Consultants, medical staff and other medical professionals with sole responsibility for orthoptic assessments, diagnoses and management and treatment options.
• To provide a treatment plan that enables each patient to obtain the best visual function including: Visual acuity, binocularity, ocular alignment and optimum use of their visual fields
• To consider the diagnosis, medical conditions and psychosocial factors in developing the treatment plan.
• To undertake, interpret and report on specialist visual field assessment (in adults and children) by confrontation or using specialist perimetry equipment including Octopus, Humphrey.
• To provide an orthoptic service for paediatric patients referred from cochlear implant service which may require adaption of clinical skills in order to investigate fully, due to their complex medical condition.
• To accurately assess and compare spectacles prescriptions using automated and manual focimetry.
• To manage an unpredictable workload dependant on changing demands and interruptions and ability to work under pressure.
• To maintain up-to -date knowledge of external guidelines that may affect rehabilitation potentials e.g. Road Safety Authority (RSA) driving guidelines, ensuring standards are continuously met and discussed fully with patients, staff and carers where appropriate.
• Manual handling is regularly required, e.g. movement of patients (from wheelchairs to examination chairs)
• Be aware the highest standard of hygiene must be maintained in the Hospital at all times and all staff members are responsible for ensuring compliance with the Hospitals requirements and standards with regard to hygiene.
• To participate in the undergraduate orthoptic teaching of students from the UK

Communication

• To write appropriate records, including diagrammatic Orthoptic records and hospital case notes.
• Ability to relay results of investigation, diagnosis and management options to patient, carer and colleagues
• To clearly explain visual problems to patient and carer ensuring they comprehend the information to the best of their ability.
• To provide advice and guidance to referring clinicians (Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists etc..) on a case to case basis when required.
• The orthoptist may be the first point of contact for patients with debilitating diseases. Occasionally news can be unpleasant for example explaining the patient’s visual field defect may prevent them from retuning to drive, therefore good interpersonal and communication skills are needed.
• To be able to change own way of communicating to enable people to understand what is being communicated, for example, stroke patients with language difficulties, using pictures.

Professional Duties:

• To be professionally accountable for all aspects of professional and clinical work
• Respect the values, beliefs and needs of patients and staff and include patients in decision making process as appropriate.
• To take appropriate action where required in managing each patient- for example arranging follow-up appointments, writing correspondence to other services and referrals to other healthcare professionals.
• Interpret standards of orthoptic practice as well as professional codes of conduct, professional and organisational policies ensuring they are incorporated into the orthoptic service practice.
• To ensure that professional standards are maintained in relation to confidentiality, ethics and legislation
• Promote initiatives within the orthoptic service that will ensure a high standard of professional practice development in line with improved patient care.
• Demonstrate understanding and respect for the roles of all members of the MDT.
• Keep up to date with developments within neuro-orthoptics in own organisation, professional body, nationally and internationally and apply to practice.
• Contribute professional expertise to wider organisational initiatives/committees/steering groups at local, national and international level.
• Provide orthoptic support to the Ophthalmology service and other departments within the organisation.
• To attend and contribute to Orthoptic departmental meetings and Ophthalmology directorate meetings.

Education and Professional Development

• Maintain knowledge of current clinical practice and attend training programmes/ courses to enhance current knowledge and skills to allow expansion into other roles/duties. This includes discussion with senior staff.
• Will network with the Irish Association of Orthoptists(IAO)and other professional bodies to exchange and enhance knowledge base.

• To maintain records of CPD as recommended by CORU and the professional body (British and Irish Orthoptic Society).
• To be responsible for personal evaluation of CPD and dissemination of information gained.
• To actively participate in departmental and relevant service audits and professional development activities.
• Participate in mandatory training programmes.

Mandatory

In exercise of the powers conferred on me by Section 22 of the Health Act 2004, I hereby
approve the qualifications, as set out hereunder, for the appointment and continuing as an
Orthoptist.

1. Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc

(a) Eligible applicants will be those who on the closing date for the competition possess:
(i) B.Sc (Hons) Orthoptics from Glasgow Caledonian University.

or

(ii) B.Sc (Hons) Orthoptics from the University of Liverpool.

or

(iii) BMed Sci (Hons) Orthoptics from the University of Sheffield.

or

(iv) A validated qualification equivalent to (i) or (ii) or (iii) above.

or

(b) be registered as an Orthoptist with the Health & Care Professionals UK.

and

(c) Candidates must have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard
of suitability and management ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the
office.

2. Age

Age restriction shall only apply to a candidate where s/he is not classified as a new
entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous
Provisions) Act, 2004). A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under
65 years of age on the first day of the month in which the latest date for receiving
completed application forms for the office occurs.

3. Health

Candidates for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of
undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would
indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

4. Character

Candidates for and any person holding the office must be of good character.

Desirable

Candidate has a maximum 5 years’ clinical experience.

Informal Enquiries ONLY to:

Name:

Caroline Byrne

Email address:

carolinebyrne@beaumont.ie