Job summary
There is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and innovative orthoptist to join the ophthalmology department at Jersey General Hospital. The successful candidate will have a proven ability to work within multi-disciplinary teams, be hard working, flexible and motivated. The candidate will also have experience of extended roles within their scope of practice to support the ophthalmology department. The candidate must be able to work as part of a dynamic team in our busy department and community to ensure up to date clinical practice within the care delivery for the people of Jersey. We welcome applicants from Orthoptists looking to extend their role and clinical experience, the caseload is extremely varied and will include core Orthoptic clinics with a mixture of paediatric and adult patients as well as an inpatient stroke service. The successful candidate with also be the lead for our visual screening service which covers approximately 1000 children in over 30 schools and deputise for the Head orthoptist in their absence.
Main duties of the job
- To manage the visual screening service for Jersey.
- To deputise for the Head orthoptist in their absence
- To undertake and manage an orthoptic caseload.
- To provide teaching for other health professionals who are involved in, or have an interest in the orthoptic service.
About us
Jersey is just 14 miles (20km) from the west coast of France and 85 miles (137km) from the south coast of England. The island is easy to get to from the UK and mainland Europe. There are up to 40 daily flights in and out of the island
Striking scenery, a safe and inclusive society, miles of sandy beaches, high performing schools, an enviable work-life balance, a heritage, political and economic stability, low personal taxes, warm summers and mild winters.
Find out more at gov.je/movingtoJersey
Jersey has been a Crown Dependency since 1290, which means its not part of the UK but a self-governing possession of The Crown. Jersey has its own democratically elected parliament, government, tax system, and laws. However, the island does have a close historic relationship with France and the UK and relies on the UK for defence and international relations. It is also part of the Common Travel Area (CTA) which allows British citizens to move freely between the UK, Republic of Ireland, and the Channel Islands without a passport.
Jersey offers extensive and quality healthcare services, with private and state supported options available. The NHS is not available in Jersey, healthcare services are delivered by Health and Community Services. For the first 6 months, health care services will be provided at an added cost.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Lead and develop the orthoptic visual screening service which involves liaising with the education services and other members of the ophthalmology team. Ensuring that the service is audited regularly and complies with clinical governance and national guidelines.
- To deputise for the Head orthoptist in their absence ensuring that the orthoptic and optometry services continue to provide care for patients within the departments and hospitals policies and procedures.
- Manage an orthoptic caseload, providing assessment, diagnosis and treatments to patients of all age groups, with a wide range of medical and neurological conditions, ensuring each client receives the treatment and support they need in a timely manner. This includes working with vulnerable adults and children and involves developing individual care plans to meet their needs.
- To be part of the expert Orthoptic Service, which requires knowledge and interpretation of professional guidelines. This involves the assessment and diagnosis, treatment, planning and revaluation of patients attending as both in-patients and outpatients at local hospitals and external units where the service is provided e.g. Stroke patients on the rehabilitation ward at Overdale, visual screening in schools, ward rounds at the general hospital.
- Develop specialised individual orthoptic treatment care programmes and aid junior staff in developing care packages and onward referrals as appropriate so that patients receive tailored packages comprising multi-disciplinary treatment if necessary and specialist advice to support their recovery.
- Assess squint patients pre-operatively and post-operatively, discussing timing and surgery options with ophthalmic surgeons, to ensure the patients receive the most effective surgical option and care package and, if required, the surgeon is supported as required post-operatively in adjustable suture techniques. Discuss squint surgery options with the patient/carer and possible post-operative outcomes and complications, to ensure that the implications for surgery are well understood by them and that they receive the necessary pre and post- operative support. To ensure patients/carers understand the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment needs. This may involve vulnerable patients who have had a stroke, patients with severe learning difficulties or patients with visual or physical disabilities. There may be significant barriers to understanding especially where the diagnosis was previously unknown and the prognosis may not always be good.
- To ensure patients/parents understand the diagnosis and prognosis and treatment needs. This may involve patients who have had a stroke, patients with severe learning difficulties, parents/patients with visually disabled children, parents where English is not a first language. There may be significant barriers to understanding especially where the diagnosis was previously unknown.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- - Degree or equivalent in Orthoptics
- - Minimum of 2 years clinical experience
- - Registration with the Health & Care Professional Council and Jersey Healthcare registration
Desirable
- - Supervising or teaching qualification
- - Driving licence
Experience
Essential
- 2 years post-graduate, clinical experience in orthoptics.
- Experience working in visual screening
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website .
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants .
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website .
Employer details
Employer name
Health and Community Services
Address
Government Of Jersey
19-21 Broad Street
St. Helier
Jersey
Channel Islands
JE2 3RR