Job summaryThere are so many reasons to join our team at Sunderland Eye Infirmary.Aside from our fantastic staff, we have lots of exciting things going on.Our plans for ourEye Hospital in Sunderland are taking shape and will be our new home, with work having started this year. The new hospital means Sunderland will remain home to the regions only dedicated standalone eye hospital. It will strengthen our excellent reputation across the NHS, both regionally and nationally as a centre of excellence for ophthalmology care.We also never stay still when it comes to discovering new and better treatments. As one of the few specialist eye hospitals in the country, research and using developing technology is a key part of our work. We encourage innovation and research in everything we do. There is always something to get involved in.If you share our vision for'excellence in all that we do', wed love you to join us!We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Orthoptists to join our friendly and experienced team of 9 Orthoptists based at Sunderland Eye Infirmary. As a tertiary referral centre, our service supports paediatric Ophthalmology, Neuro-Ophthalmology, Maxillofacial, Emergency care, adult motility and an acute stroke service. We also participate in student teaching as an accredited Orthoptic student placement site.Main duties of the jobThe successful candidate would join a team of 9 Orthoptists. They will also work alongside 2 consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologists, 1 specialist Neuro-Ophthalmologist and 12 Optometrists. They will be based at Sunderland Eye Infirmary and will participate in joint Consultant, Optometry and individual Orthoptic clinics. They will also have the opportunity to participate in peripheral clinics, school vision screening, regular journal clubs and teaching of Orthoptic and medical students. They would receive support through a mentorship scheme if this is their first clinical role following qualification.The working hours will be 37.5 hours per week Monday-Friday 08:30-16:30. We encourage all hopeful candidates to contact our Orthoptic Department Manager Rafaela Schelle on 0191 5410093 or rafaela.schelle@nhs.net for further information regarding this post.About usPlease help us by adding your telephone number to your application form this will allow us to contact you quickly if required.One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for STSFT. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via the Trust's Flexible Working Policy.The Trust employs around 8,300 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area, in some cases to a population as great as 860,000. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Childcare Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.Job descriptionJob responsibilitiesPLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FURTHER DUTIES OF THE ROLE.To provide appropriate Orthoptic assessment for all patients referred to the department as inpatients or outpatients using a wide range of highly specialised equipment specific to the investigation.To assess, diagnose and treat patients with special needs in specialist childrens clinicsTo assess eye movement disorders in patients from specialist Clinics including Neurology, Myasthenia Gravis, Maxillofacial, Endocrinology (including thyroid and diabetes), Medical Eye Unit and Eye Casualty etc.To formulate treatment plans for all types of Orthoptic patientsExercise professional clinical judgement during patient assessment in order to reach a diagnosis in a varied case mix.Ensure suitable follow up arrangements are in place.To assess patients suitability for Botulinum toxin and adjustable suture surgery.To assess patients pre-operatively.To assess patients post-operativelyPerson SpecificationExperienceEssentialClinical Orthoptics- clinical experience or via student placementExperience in ophthalmological assessment of patients- Clinical experience or via student placementDesirableEvidence of special interest in neuro-ophthalmology and strabismusExperience of delivering student supervision and clinical education to Orthoptic undergraduates, pre-registration optometrists, trainee GPs and junior doctorsQualificationsEssentialOrthoptics BSc (Hons)ORBSc (Hons) OrthopticsOROrthoptics BMedSciORDiploma from British Orthoptic Council (DBO)To be registered with Health and Care Professions CouncilBIOS member or other professional liability insuranceDesirableMedical exemptions for orthoptistsSkills and KnowledgeEssentialGood planning and organisational skills and be self-directingSome presentation skillsGood interpersonal and communication skills at all levelsAbility to manage and prioritise clinical work load and respond calmly and logicallyUnderstanding of and ability to maintain patient confidentialityAbility to gain co-operation in a wide range of ages, ability and understandingIT SkillsA valid UK driving License & Access to a vehicle which can be used for work purposesDesirableAbility to adapt communication to individuals including non-verbal ways eg MakatonPhysical SkillsEssentialAbility to assist patients to move as per Trust Moving and Handling Policy.Expert hand/eye co-ordination to perform accurate assessments with difficult patientsDisclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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.Certificate of SponsorshipApplications 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 (Opens in a new tab).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 (Opens in a new tab).UK RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).Employer detailsEmployer nameSouth Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation TrustAddressSunderland Eye InfirmaryQueen Alexandra RoadSunderlandSR2 9HPEmployer's websitehttps://www.stsft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)