resourcing

Hospital Optometrist

The role of a hospital Optometrist is varied, and wide ranging, a typical job description will cover a large number of different working types.

Hospital Optometrists work closely with the Head of Department in order to deliver a comprehensive range of specialist optometric services to the highest standards of quality and patient care. They take a role in the joint management of paediatric patients with Orthoptists whilst also undertaking specific administrative duties as agreed with the Head of Optometry Department.

• Contributing to the role of pre-registration optometrist supervisor- providing formal and informal teaching, training and support in preparation for external competency assessments of the College of Optometry.
• To provide teaching and training at undergraduate and postgraduate levels for various disciplines within ophthalmology (ophthalmologists, medical students, ophthalmic nurses, Orthoptists and other health professionals).
• To participate in the preparation, organisation and delivery of teaching programmes provided by the Optometry Department.
• To participates in research and audit
• To provide , as required , integration of optometry services across a number of sites

• Workload is determined by the needs of the specific NHS service.
• Hospital Optometrists are clinically independent and responsible for own management decisions in patients and contributing to the range and variety of work required by the Ophthalmology sub-specialities.
• May be responsible for decisions made by junior staff. May take legal responsibility for and individually mentor / train one pre-reg optometrist.
• Contribute to cost improvement programmes- being mindful of financial constraints when ordering contact lenses and visuals aids for patients, minimise waste.
• Ensures that all equipment are used safely and stored cleanly and securely

• Undertake a range of core and advanced highly complex optometric investigations and delivers care-packages through -
  • Routine and diagnostic adult and paediatric refractions on

• Pre-and post op cataract patients
• A range of other highly complex ocular and neurological disorders
• Provision of appropriate spectacle prescriptions

(All the above require advanced skills of technique and also experience to provide

considered advice)

• Assessment of visual function by use of highly complex investigative equipment, including visual fields, colour vision, and assessment of intra-ocular pressure.

(Requires specialist knowledge of appropriate computer aided equipment)

• Interpretation of highly complex results thereby providing diagnostic data

(Requires specialist knowledge of disease processes)

• Management of visually impaired persons
• Provide highly specialised care packages for the severely visually impaired

(Requires empathy, detailed knowledge of services available to impaired   persons, insight into patient's problem and highly developed communication skills -          Sensitive issues, including explaining the patient's eye condition, and frequently        imparting distressing news.)

• Provision of appropriate optical appliances to the visually impaired

(Needs good dexterity and ability to be innovative, in adapting available appliances to meet patients' individual physical needs)

• Optometry-Led clinics - Undertakes a number of extended clinical optometry roles as an autonomous practitioner These " doctor -free" clinics , working to a protocol agreed with a consultant ophthalmologist , give the optometrists independent prescribing , management and discharging responsibilities
• Paediatric - Management of squint and binocular vision problems in collaboration with orthoptists .Responsible for a paediatric case load to ensure the health of the child eyes the control of squint and development of normal binocular vision (Needs to be physically agile and capable of making rapid judgements. Good person to person relationships to deal with distressed and unhappy parents, and communication skills to explain the child's condition, proposed management, and the need for further referral. )
• Glaucoma Review Assessments , - Manages patients, with a high degree of specialist knowledge of glaucoma and skill to perform and evaluate the results of a number of tests to monitor disease progression , compliance with medication and decide on management
• Hydroxychloroquine Assessments - Performs a number of tests to evaluate the visual side effects of this therapy.
• Post -Op Cataract Clinic - Performs external examination of anterior eye segment of patients to determine if the eye has sufficiently settled to allow them to be discharged.
• Refers to doctor if further intervention required. Refracts and provides spectacle

prescription

• Therapeutic Contact lenses - Therapeutic application of contact lenses to patients with, diseased, painful eyes or for post -operative wound healing.
• Medical Contact Lens Clinic - After training and competency assessment
• Responsibility for the highly specialised contact lens management of a caseload of eye conditions.
• Use a high degree of skill and expertise in order to design an effective lens to fit irregular corneas (requires highly developed technical knowledge of lens design)

Includes for fitting frail elderly and children -requiring excellent communication       skills to deal with distressed children and parents, the anxious elderly and for       teaching parents/carers to handle contact lenses safely.

• Fit complex prosthetic contact lenses requiring sensitivity in dealing with patients embarrassed by their appearance.
• Effectively educates and trains patients in the handling and safe care of their lenses.
• Effectively recognises and manages contact lens related corneal changes.
• Advises patients on alternative management options.
• Responsible for communicating with the referring ophthalmologist.

Contact us on 020 784 32410

Email: info@resourcing.uk.com