Band 6 Orthoptist

Management/Planning & Organisational tasks Will plan and organise paediatric refraction clinics, which are carried out in conjunction with the Consultant Ophthalmologists, then formulate a treatment plan for future management, based on the individuals diagnosis. Undertake any administrative task necessary to maintain the smooth running of the Orthoptic Department including dealing with queries, scheduling appointments and all clinical paperwork. Represent the department, Health Board or professional body at local, regional or national meetings where required. 4. Co-ordinate and liaise with multidisciplinary agencies both within and outside the health board Will prioritise appointments according to the urgency of each individual need. This involves assessing new referrals that come into the department from GPs, Optometrists, Health Visitors, School Nurses, and also internal referrals from various specialties within the HB, e.g. Casualty, Max Fax, Neurology/ Diabetic or Medical Departments. Clinical Work autonomously to develop specialist programmes of care for each individual, analysing and interpreting results, and offering highly specialised advice for patients with complex ocular disorders. Be responsible for monitoring each patients progress along care pathway, ensuring the best possible visual function, and cosmetic result. Some patients remain under Orthoptic care for several years. Be responsible for accurate pre and post-operative measurements on which the method and amount of surgery is based. To participate in the decision and timing of surgery, requiring an up to date knowledge of evidence based practice. Use a considerable range of specialist knowledge and highly developed skills to select appropriate tests and investigations in order to formulate and execute individual treatment plans. A significantly high level of neurological and anatomical knowledge is required to make differential diagnoses, and treat a wide variety of conditions. Identify any potential risks/complications associated with surgery and communicate to both the patient/carer and surgeon. Interpret findings and provide specialist advice to patient/carer, which contributes to their care, well being and education. Select, record and interpret visual fields using both manual and computerised testing equipment. Maintain proper aseptic technique to minimise infection risk to patient while performing intravitreal injections. Assess patients with learning difficulties, stroke and other neurological abnormalities in order to obtain as accurate a report as possible, despite them displaying challenging behaviour or a genuine inability to perform. Respect patient confidentiality at all times. Deal with queries from patients as promptly as possible, by telephone, e-mail or post. Ensure accurate appropriate patient records are kept, in accordance with Health Board policy. Identify any adverse side-effects/risks associated with Orthoptic treatment, e.g. use of eye-drops or eye patches and minimise these by appropriate instruction and education of the patient/carer. Accurately assess spectacle prescriptions using automated focimetry. Highly developed motor and hand-eye co-ordination are required. Due to the age of our client group, speed, precision and accuracy are essential e.g. when instilling eye-drops, or measuring squints. In particular, with regard to carrying out intravitreal injections, high levels of manual dexterity and hand-eye co-ordination are essential for the surgical technique, e.g, inserting eyelid speculum, and administrating the injection itself. A high level of manual dexterity is necessary to obtain accurate pre and post-op measurements using prisms and other complex specialist equipment. Manual handling training is mandatory and updated regularly. These skills are required to help with mobility of patients, to manoeuvre both patients and equipment safely. The health board is committed to protecting its staff, patients, assets and reputation through an effective risk management process. The postholder will be required to comply with the Health Boards Risk Management Policy, Health and Safety Policy and other associated policies and to actively participate in this process, having responsibility for managing risks and reporting exceptions.

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