Specialist Orthoptist - Stroke

To support the Orthoptic Stroke and ABI Service in providing clinical assessment, management and multidisciplinary working in the outpatient, ward and HASU setting for individuals who have had a stroke, ABI or other neuro-ophthalmology diagnosis.
Responsible for providing specialised Orthoptic services as an autonomous practitioner within the hospital setting and community outreach clinics, accepting direct referral of patients of all ages who have a wide spectrum of ocular motility disorders and visual problems.
To assess, diagnose, manage and treat patients of all ages referred to the Orthoptist, being responsible for the instigation of follow-up care and/or onward referral to the sub-speciality Orthoptists / Optometrists / Ophthalmologists as appropriate.
To be involved in the clinical teaching of undergraduate Orthoptists, pre-registration Optometrists, medical students and other health care professionals as required.

Working for our organisation
The orthoptic department is based at Royal Preston Hospital with additional community clinics and our Ophthalmology Unit at Chorley District General Hospital which opened in December 2021.
Our new unit has been designed to not only give the patient and their relatives/carers the best experience but also our team too; with individual 6m Orthoptic rooms fully equipped even with a window for those far distance cover tests we hope we have thought of everything.
Our HASU is to be based at Royal Preston Hospital along with other wards we visit and an additional stroke rehab ward at Chorley District General Hospital.
We are a very busy department who work closely with our eye colleagues striving to provide excellent care with compassion; if you manage your time well and work well within a dynamic team then this is the place for you.
We are always looking for ways to further develop ourselves and the team plus looking to see what we could do differently and in fact better. This is why we actively encourage and support CPD, audit and research and have mentorship in place for this role.
It's hard to fit everything we do in to one advert so if you would like to know about the role and the team then we would genuinely love to hear from you - call my fabulous team on or email me [email protected] to arrange a call, · Assesses in-patients including within the HASU and out-patients who have suffered from a stroke, ABI or other neuro-ophthalmology diagnosis such as MS within the given timeframes for testing.
· Formulates management plans for these patients in communication with the Stroke MDT and Head Orthoptist.
· Clearly communicates to the patient, carers and Stroke MDT such findings as reduced vision, visual field loss, visual inattention and other limiting factors to the patient's rehabilitation or ability to drive again.
· Records clinical findings, management plans and other relevant information within the patients notes and formulate letters to summarise and refer on to other professionals as required.
· Records and inputs relevant data relating to HASU performance and SSNAP.
· Actively involved in audit, research and quality improvements relating to this aspect of the Orthoptic service.
· Undertakes delegated duties from the Head Orthoptist regarding e.g. the developing of resources for this cohort of patients.
· Actively involve themselves and support the other Orthoptists involved with this cohort of patients to develop the service.
· Participates in the Stroke Diagnostic Clinics and Neuro-ophthalmology Diagnostic Clinics as required undertaking the relevant assessments, recording information and discussing results with the Head Orthoptist and/or Consultant Ophthalmologist.
· Actively promote the orthoptic profession and involvement with this cohort of patients through such things as school/college open days and work experience days plus discussions and education of the Stroke MDT.
· Independently assess, plans, implements and monitors individual orthoptic treatment plans/care pathways for each patient using clinical experience, knowledge and evidence-based practice, selects appropriate assessment techniques relevant to each individual patient based on clinical experience and by using clinical reasoning.
· Communicates to convey complex diagnoses and treatment plans, break bad news and provide support, gain consent and understanding by combating barriers, gain the confidence and cooperation of children and parents or to present and explain complex concepts, ideas and issues to service users who are unfamiliar with them.
· Discharges or arranges onward referral as required.
· Actively involved in discussions and decisions around treatments with the Orthoptists/Optometrists/Ophthalmologists.
· Responsible as an autonomous practitioner for the decision to instil eye drops for refraction tests, diagnostic and treatment purposes, to decide the appropriate strength of drops required and to advise patients/parents of the side effects following departmental PGD's.
· To liaise with the Head Orthoptist regarding problems arising from any orthoptic treatment.
· Demonstrates compassion by recognising and responding to individual needs in a warm, thoughtful, sensitive and helpful way.
· Proactively engages with patients, relatives and carers to seek their views, gain agreement and to keep them informed about their treatment and care.
· Receives positive feedback from own patients, relatives, team and students.
Thanks for taking the time to view this advert; we're looking forward to receiving your application. You should be aware that the vacancy may close earlier than the published date if sufficient applications are received so it would be best to apply as soon as you can. We'll contact you by e-mail to update you on the progress of your application so please check the e-mail account that you applied from (including spam/junk) regularly.
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Are you an Orthoptist looking for a challenging adult neurological caseload?
Do you have a passion for working not only in the out-patient environment but also within a ward setting?
Would you like to work within a brand new purpose built eye unit in one of the largest and highest performing Trusts in the North West?
If the answer is YES to the above then we have the perfect job for you!
We are looking to recruit a Specialist Orthoptist for a period of 12 months to cover maternity leave with a focus on the orthoptic stroke, ABI and neuro-ophthalmology caseload.
You will support our Orthoptic Stroke and ABI Lead and work alongside 2 other specialist orthoptists already involved in this caseload, as well as undertaking various additional orthoptic hospital and community clinics and the chance to be involved in orthoptic teaching that the whole team participate in.
This is an amazing opportunity for an Orthoptist with experience of an adult caseload to join our well-established team to provide not only an excellent standard of care to all patients but to develop themselves within a stroke and ABI role too.