Deputy Head of Orthoptics & Refractive Optometry

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and self-motivated 0.51 wte Band 8a Principal paediatric Lead Orthoptist / Deputy Head with excellent interpersonal skills, to join our friendly innovative team based at the Royal Stoke University Hospital (RSUH). Services are provided at RSUH, County Hospital, community outreach clinics and orthoptic led vision screening.

Our department is very proactive and we are always looking improve the service offered to our patients. Some of our specialist orthoptic services are: stroke, neuro-ophthalmology, TED, Botox, SEN, disc/IIH assessment

The post holder will work alongside 12 orthoptists, 1 orthoptic assistant, 3 clerical staff and will work closely with 2 paediatric Consultant Ophthalmologists - as well as 10 other consultant ophthalmologists.

Main duties of the job

To support and deputise for effective professional, clinical leadership and operational management of the department of Orthoptics & Refractive Optometry (covering Head's annual leave).

To act as Principal clinical lead for Paediatric Ophthalmology shared care (POSC), school screening, special educational needs.

To act as a resource to staff of all grades on clinical and departmental issues.

To hold an appropriate caseload to assess and treat children who attend clinics which may include special schools as an autonomous practitioner.

To take the lead in providing training for orthoptic graduates

To organise departmental policies and protocols.

To collate analyse and make recommendations from analysis of statistics.

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust is one of the largest and most modern in the country. Based across two sites, Royal Stoke in Stoke-on-Trent and County Hospital in Stafford, we are proud to serve around three million people and we're highly regarded for our facilities, teaching and research. We are the specialist centre for major trauma for the North Midlands and North Wales.

All of our employees make a valuable contribution regardless of role here at UHNM and we are proud of our wide range of development packages aimed at ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their true potential.

UHNM create and encourage a culture of inclusion, providing equal opportunities for career development that are fair and transparent. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture in which all staff feel valued and respected. In return we ask all of our employees to make a commitment to the values, co-created by or staff, patients and carers, and that unite us as a Trust.

At University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust we know that investing in, supporting and developing our staff has a direct impact on the quality of care that we deliver. Our employees are as important as our patients and the population that we serve.