Orthoptists

ABOUT THE HOSPITALS

We have three main hospitals providing acute services to around 330,000 local residents. The organisation also provides specialist tertiary care for cardiac and haematology services, delivers community health services to over 445,000 residents including those in North Lancashire and hosts the National Artificial Eye Service across England. We also provide urgent and emergency care services to an estimated 18 million people who visit the seaside resort each year.

We employ over 7,000 people from 68 different countries.

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals encourages flexible working in all roles to support staff in maintaining a healthy work‑life balance. Working patterns such as part time, self‑rostering, compressed hours, annualised hours, term time, reverse term time and flexitime working can be explored.

• Provide operational, administrative and advanced managerial support associated with the day‑to‑day functioning of the Orthoptic Stroke service and general Orthoptic Service, particularly in the absence of the Head Orthoptist.
• Provide representation in the absence of the Head Orthoptist.
• Prioritise and manage your own clinical case load and administrative tasks, overseeing other staff clinics as necessary and ensuring patient flow within the Orthoptic Stroke Service.
• Lead the evolution and management of the Stroke Service, ensuring service maintenance, development and promotion.
• Manage own adult patient clinics and paediatric hospital or community clinics within the general Orthoptic service, determining and acting on appropriate outcomes for every patient seen.
• Ensure effective and efficient use of physical resources, making recommendations regarding equipment and supplies, and maintaining equipment and work areas.
• Formally appraise staff members, action personal development plans, contribute to attendance management and recruitment of Orthoptic department staff.
• Provide clinical supervision, mentorship and training to junior staff members, especially those in the Orthoptic Stroke team.
• Act as a key trainer for Orthoptic medical devices and ensure staff competencies remain high.
• Demonstrate own clinical practice to other professionals (e.g., paediatric SHO's, GP trainees and pre‑registered optometrists).
• Serve as an Orthoptic Clinical tutor, contributing to the training and assessment of Orthoptic students.
• Regularly attend and participate in staff meetings; lead in‑house training programmes, journal clubs and presentations, and present at other clinical meetings when requested.
• Undertake reflective practice.
• Keep up to date with research and new developments in Orthoptics, lead research projects and disseminate knowledge within the department.
• Initiate and participate in formal clinical and non‑clinical audits, service evaluations, and implement service improvements.
• Communicate with medical, optometry, nursing, other health professionals and clerical staff to maintain high patient care.
• Develop and review protocols and SOPs within the department, support planning and development of Orthoptic services including enhanced clinical pathways.
• Ensure trust policies and procedures and Health and Safety regulations are adhered to.
• Develop and update relevant patient information, including service user feedback.
• Act as a role model for the department, exhibit professional behaviour, and treat all staff with dignity and respect.
• Promote the Orthoptic profession both within the Trust and to external partners.
• Actively participate in relevant BIOS CAG and local networking groups.
• Maintain your HCPC registration.

• Act as the Lead Orthoptic expert for Orthoptic Stroke Services.
• Provide the Orthoptic service as part of a multi‑disciplinary team within stroke, liaising with consultants, optometrists and other health professionals, and providing advanced expertise as a clinical lead.
• Utilise specialist anatomical and neurological knowledge to formulate accurate diagnoses, prognoses, and multidisciplinary discharge plans.
• Be aware of national guidelines of care and national audit requirements for Stroke services.
• Independently assess, plan and…