Job description
Job summaryHead of Orthoptics - Part time - 32.25 hours per week The post holder will lead and manage the Orthoptic Service at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, covering acute and community adult and paediatric services across Stockport and High Peak, including the Primary Vision Screening Programme.
Reporting to the Divisional Nurse Director (Surgery), the post holder will provide clinical, operational, and strategic leadership, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective, efficient, and patient-centred services in line with national and international standards.
Key responsibilities include managing day-to-day operations, workforce and resources; supporting staff development and training; overseeing clinical governance, quality, and patient safety; promoting research, innovation, and service improvement; and ensuring effective financial management.
The post holder will also monitor service performance, including RTT and waiting-time targets, ensuring timely access to high-quality care and the continuous development of an evidence-based, responsive, and sustainable Orthoptic Service.
Main duties of the jobo Provide effective Professional Leadership and efficient organisation, operational management, strategic direction, and development of Orthoptics and Paediatric Optometry within the Trusto Ensure the Orthoptic Service functions in line with up-to-date national guidanceo Provide expert advice regarding complex and highly complex clinical issues to other members of the team and to other professions o Provide leadership direction and support for all Orthoptic staff o Support and encourage staff to maintain high staff morale and motivation, always prompting a team approach o Communicate information in respect of eye care services to other professions and services, the public, other agencies, and commissioners to promote better understanding of the needs of people with sight impairment and/or other associated symptomso Maintain links with colleagues and agencies within and outside the NHS to continuously improve services o Lead departmental meetings and audito Represent Orthoptics at Trust Board Level, as requiredo Ensure that a clear supervision / competency structure is in place across the service
About usWe hold a unique position in the Stockport community as the provider of healthcare and we are one of its largest employers.
We believe that the best organisations are those that reflect the communities they serve. We are therefore seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce to make it truly representative of our local population.
We actively encourage applications irrespective of race, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage & civil partnership, or pregnancy or maternity. Recognising those communities that are underrepresented within our workforce, we would particularly welcome applications from you.
If you require support with your application, please contact a member of the recruitment team, who can discuss alternative application methods.
We recognise that flexible working is important. We take requests for flexible working seriously, consider any request we receive and try to work with you, so we can explore if your request may fit with the needs of the service.
Benefits we offer to you:
- Between 27-33 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
- NHS pension scheme membership
- Salary sacrifice schemes for lease cars, home electronics and more, to make your salary go further
- NHS Staff discounts
- Cycle to work scheme
- Salary finance - for loans, savings, budget planning and tips on managing debt
- Stockport Credit Union- for local financial advice
Job description Job responsibilitiesThe job description gives an overview of the main tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specifications focuses on the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. These documents are attached on the page and can be downloaded.
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Job description
Job responsibilitiesThe job description gives an overview of the main tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specifications focuses on the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. These documents are attached on the page and can be downloaded.
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person Specification Education & Qualifications Essential - Diploma / BSc in Orthoptics or equivalent level of knowledge/expertise in the field
- Registered HCPC Orthoptist
- Postgraduate management/leadership qualification or equivalent level of knowledge/expertise
- Clinical Teaching qualification
- Post registration MSc or short courses to Masters' level
- Member of British and Irish Orthoptic Society
Knowledge Essential - Practical knowledge of orthoptic assessments in highly specialised clinical service areas
- Evidence that you have worked at a senior level using examples of the clinical competency you have within the relevant clinical area
- Extensive experience in formulating comprehensive management plans based on case history information and diagnostic test results, where management decisions may not be straightforward
- Have worked with sight impaired patients / parents / carers / associated professional and explain any challenges you overcame
- Extensive Experience of working with babies and children, and patients of all ages with cognitive impairments
- Examples of when you have been a positive role model with the ability to demonstrate a credible, professional approach and manner at all times
- Extensive post-graduate experience & CPD
Skills Essential - Excellent written and oral communication skills and highly developed interpersonal and influencing skills
- Able to adapt communication to meet the needs of the situation, including in stressful or conflict clinical and non-clinical situations
- Ability to educate, empathize, support, negotiate and motivate including times where co-operation is not guaranteed
- Ability to pass on expert and highly technical and/or condition related information with reassurance for better understanding including in stressful or conflict clinical and non-clinical situations necessary
- Enquiring, critical approach to work
- Champion staff wellbeing
- Ability to work under pressure
- Ability to work without supervision
- Reliable and supportive to other colleagues
- Flexible approach to work and to the needs of the service.
Desirable Experience Essential - Extensive experience as an Orthoptist
- Experience in establishing or helping to develop a service through quality improvement
- Experience of management of services in line with performance targets
- Experience of leading service improvements and clinical audit or services/pathways
- Experience in managing staff using performance management and appraisal, disciplinary and sickness absence policies/procedures
- Experience of managing budgets
- Experience of managing Health and Safety and Clinical Governance in a clinical setting
- Experience of analysing performance data and for identifying ways in which the service can be improved at a service, team and individual level.
- Evidence and experience of leading change, demonstrating sustained improvements.
- Experience of Training, Assessment and Supervision of students
- Good knowledge of critical appraisal and ability to use literature and current research / guidelines to improve patient care
- Evidence of leading clinical audit, research, and / or presentations at scientific meetings
- Evidence and experience of leading change, demonstrating sustained improvements.
- Experience of leading service improvements and clinical audit of services/pathways
Desirable - Substantial management/supervision experience
- Knowledge of sustainability and the public health agenda
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications Essential - Diploma / BSc in Orthoptics or equivalent level of knowledge/expertise in the field
- Registered HCPC Orthoptist
- Postgraduate management/leadership qualification or equivalent level of knowledge/expertise
- Clinical Teaching qualification
- Post registration MSc or short courses to Masters' level
- Member of British and Irish Orthoptic Society
Knowledge Essential - Practical knowledge of orthoptic assessments in highly specialised clinical service areas
- Evidence that you have worked at a senior level using examples of the clinical competency you have within the relevant clinical area
- Extensive experience in formulating comprehensive management plans based on case history information and diagnostic test results, where management decisions may not be straightforward
- Have worked with sight impaired patients / parents / carers / associated professional and explain any challenges you overcame
- Extensive Experience of working with babies and children, and patients of all ages with cognitive impairments
- Examples of when you have been a positive role model with the ability to demonstrate a credible, professional approach and manner at all times
- Extensive post-graduate experience & CPD
Skills Essential - Excellent written and oral communication skills and highly developed interpersonal and influencing skills
- Able to adapt communication to meet the needs of the situation, including in stressful or conflict clinical and non-clinical situations
- Ability to educate, empathize, support, negotiate and motivate including times where co-operation is not guaranteed
- Ability to pass on expert and highly technical and/or condition related information with reassurance for better understanding including in stressful or conflict clinical and non-clinical situations necessary
- Enquiring, critical approach to work
- Champion staff wellbeing
- Ability to work under pressure
- Ability to work without supervision
- Reliable and supportive to other colleagues
- Flexible approach to work and to the needs of the service.
Desirable Experience Essential - Extensive experience as an Orthoptist
- Experience in establishing or helping to develop a service through quality improvement
- Experience of management of services in line with performance targets
- Experience of leading service improvements and clinical audit or services/pathways
- Experience in managing staff using performance management and appraisal, disciplinary and sickness absence policies/procedures
- Experience of managing budgets
- Experience of managing Health and Safety and Clinical Governance in a clinical setting
- Experience of analysing performance data and for identifying ways in which the service can be improved at a service, team and individual level.
- Evidence and experience of leading change, demonstrating sustained improvements.
- Experience of Training, Assessment and Supervision of students
- Good knowledge of critical appraisal and ability to use literature and current research / guidelines to improve patient care
- Evidence of leading clinical audit, research, and / or presentations at scientific meetings
- Evidence and experience of leading change, demonstrating sustained improvements.
- Experience of leading service improvements and clinical audit of services/pathways
Desirable - Substantial management/supervision experience
- Knowledge of sustainability and the public health agenda
Disclosure 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 .
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. .
UK RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
Additional information
Disclosure 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 .
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. .
UK RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
Employer details Employer nameStockport NHS Foundation Trust
AddressStepping Hill Hospital
Poplar Grove
Stockport
SK2 7JE
United Kingdom
Employer's website
