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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

KEY DUTIES

To be responsible for the optometric management of patients referred to the St Helens Ophthalmology Service, including but not restricted to:

• Assessment and specialist ophthalmic measurement.
• Prescription of appropriate optical appliances.
• Follow up assessment.
• Analysis and interpretation of specialist optometric/ophthalmological clinical test results.
• Providing advice to patients on needs, treatment and corrective aids.
• To be solely responsible for the optometric assessment of patients using clinical observation relevant optometric equipment and techniques to examine, measure, accurately record and interpret findings.
• The interpretation of findings for each individual patient is based on extensive clinical experience, specialised knowledge and by using advanced clinical reasoning.
• Assessment requires considerable manual dexterity and hand/eye co-ordination and speed, particularly when assessing infants.
• To be responsible for the decision to instil 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.
• To be responsible for independently formulating accurate diagnoses and prognoses for new patients presenting with optical deficiencies which may have numerous causes.
• A significantly high level of clinical knowledge of anatomy, physiology and neurology is required as well as the use of advanced clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice.
• To take sole responsibility for the retinoscopic and ophthalmoscopic examination of patients and for instigating subsequent follow up care by the Orthoptist.
• To take responsibility for initiating onward referral to an Ophthalmologist of patients with ocular pathology

To be responsible for communicating complex diagnoses and treatment plans to patients, parents, carers and family, often requiring a considerable degree of empathy, tact and persuasion in order to:

• Convey bad news regarding sight loss or the significance of a sight defect to parents/carers.

Gain informed consent and understanding by combating barriers to effective communication such as:

• Anxiety.
• Learning disabled parents.
• English not being the family’s first language.
• The patient/parent/carer with no previous knowledge of the ocular defect.
• Deafness.
• Gain the confidence of and co-operation from children and parents.
• Involve the patient/parent/carer in choices regarding their treatment.
• Provide family support.
• Provide a holistic interpretation of often highly complex medical conditions.
• To update patient records and compile data for audit and reports.
• To be the lead specialist for optometric practice within the Trust

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• The Optometrist will implement and contribute to the formulation of optometry policies, proposing changes to practice using evidence-based methods.
• Planning, Organisation and Management Skill

The Optometrist is responsible across a range of sites for managing, planning and organising his/her own:

• Workload.
• Caseload.
• Accurate patient records.
• CPD.
• Attendance at clinical training and mandatory training days.
• Liaison with Educational Support Services, Social Services and Independent Optometrists.
• Training sessions.
• Specialist Services
• The Optometrist must be competent in the use of all specialist ophthalmic instrumentation for measurement purposes.
• Clinical sessions often include continual testing of infants and young children and the optometrist requires considerable powers of persuasion and patience to obtain accurate visual assessments, measurements, correct clinical diagnoses and to accurately record clinical finding

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Follow up assessment.
• The Optometrist is responsible for ordering their own clinical and other supplies, maintaining stock control and ensuring equipment maintenance

TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES

• The optometrist is responsible for developing optometrist delivered and led services within the department, including the development of Community Outreach Clinics.
• To support the Clinical Director and Directorate Manager in developing and advancing the Ophthalmic Services

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Follow up assessment.
• The Optometrist is responsible for ordering their own clinical and other supplies, maintaining stock control and ensuring equipment maintenance

RESEARCH & AUDIT

• The optometrist is responsible for assisting in audits an surveys, data collection and presentation within his/her own work area.
• The optometrist is responsible for participation in audits, presentations and for assisting in research and development programmes which are required.

GENERAL DUTIES

• To observe the provisions of and adhere to all Trust policies and procedures.
• To actively participate in the annual performance review to identify personal development needs.
• To attend Trust Statutory and Mandatory training sessions as required and any other training courses relevant to the post.
• To fully comply with the relevant sections of the Health and Safety at Work Act.  They must also understand and implement Mersey and West Lancashire Hospitals NHS Hospitals Trust “Statement of Policy on Health and Safety at Work” and the Trust corporate “Health and Safety Policies and Procedures”.  You are required to follow all applicable rules and procedures relating to Health and Safety at Work and to take all responsible precautions to avoid actions.
• To be aware of the confidential aspects of the post.
• To keep up to date with the requirements of information governance; undertake mandatory training and follow Trust policies and procedures to ensure that trust information is dealt with legally, securely, efficiently and effectively. Breaches of confidentiality will result in disciplinary action that may involve dismissal. You must maintain the confidentiality of information about service user staff and organisational business in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation 2018 (GDPR) and Caldicott principles.
•  The post holder should also be aware that, regardless of any action taken by the employing authority, breaches of confidentiality could result in civil action for damages.
• All staff will be treated with respect by management, colleagues, patients and visitors and equally staff will treat management, colleagues, patients and visitors with the same level of respect. Staff will be supported to challenge any discriminatory behaviour that may be based on differences in race, disability, language, culture, religion, sexuality, age, and gender or employment status.
• The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. All staff therefore who come into contact with children, young people and vulnerable adults have a responsibility to ensure they are trained and competent to be alert to potential indicators of abuse or neglect and know how to act on their concerns in line with the policies and procedures of Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospital NHS Trust.
• To ensure that when creating, managing and sharing information records it is done in an appropriate way, subject to statutory requirements and agreed security and confidentiality policies, procedures and guidelines. All employees are responsible for implementing and maintaining data quality, ensuring that records are legible and attributable and that the record keeping is contemporaneous.
• In accordance with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, the post holder will actively participate in the prevention and control of infection within the capacity of their role.  The Act requires the post holder to attend infection prevention and control training on induction and at regular updates and to take responsibility for the practical application of the training in the course of their work.  Infection prevention and control must be included in any personal development plan and/or appraisal.
• To adhere to relevant Code of Practice of Professional body (if appropriate).
• The post holder must be flexible in the duties performed and it is expected that similar duties, not specifically listed above, will be carried out as required and may be cross site.
• The duties contained in this job description are not intended to be exhaustive.  The duties and responsibilities of this post are likely to evolve in line with the Trust’s continued organisational development.
• To adhere to the NHS Constitution and its principles and values. You must be aware of your Duty of Candour which means that you must be open and honest during your employment and if you see something wrong, you must raise it. You must read the NHS Constitution in full and can download this from the Trusts intranet site or the gov.uk website. Hard copies are available from the HR Department on request.
• The Trust is a non-smoking site. Failure to follow this rule could lead to disciplinary action.