Lead Optometrist

South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Lead Optometrist to lead a team of Optometrists across South Warwickshire University Foundation Trust (SWFT). This is a new role, implemented following a review of SWFT's clinical leadership structure. We are looking for a forward-thinking, innovative, problem-solving leader who can build services while supporting our valued workforce. The successful candidate will be required to work flexibly, meeting the demands of SWFT and their growing workforce and service.

The Lead Optometrist's role is to lead the Optometry department and develop comprehensive and quality services for patients within South Warwickshire. The post holder will provide clinical leadership and professional and personal support to all team members. Expert personal clinical knowledge skills are vital.

The post holder will provide clinical services as an autonomous practitioner delivering highly specialist clinical care. Working across South Warwickshire, the post holder will diagnose, treat, and manage adult and paediatric service users.

The post holder will play an influential role in the strategic planning of clinical services, working with a range of internal and external stakeholders. The post holder will also represent Optometry and Ophthalmology at management and governance meetings within the Trust and the wider Coventry and Warwickshire ICB.

Main duties of the job

To take clinical responsibility for, and provide highly specialised care to, a caseload of patients attending ophthalmology clinics with sight threatening acute and chronic conditions using advanced clinical knowledge that is evidence based and individualised to the patient's needs.

Job responsibilities

The post holder will display a high profile, be accessible and responsive as a clinical leader with management responsibility for the Optometrists and optometry service delivery in Warwick Hospital and Stratford Hospital.

Displaying excellent leadership skills, the post holder will ensure that the department delivers high-quality patient experience, care and outcomes.

The post holder will make informed decisions within their own specialty and scope of professional practice, involving the patients and public to ensure agreed standards, targets and objectives.

To work in collaboration with the leads within Ophthalmology, operational teams and medical and nursing leads ensuring the optometry service aligns with the ophthalmology strategy.

Expertise & Excellence in Clinical Practice

To undertake independent comprehensive assessment and management of patients to incorporate physiological, psychological and pharmacological considerations, making multifaceted complex clinical decisions regarding patient management and clinical outcomes, including listing patients for elective procedures and discharging patients when treatment is complete or optimum outcome achieved.

To use an extended scope of practice beyond own profession recognising any limitation and knowledge and referring to senior medical staff when scope of practice is exceeded.

Provide expert advice and ensure the needs of the patient are met by leading, challenging and changing practice within the clinical setting.

Independently adjust treatment plans according to need, assessing appropriate management options and initiate treatment or referral to an appropriate professional where necessary.

Request investigations appropriately, independently interpreting and acting upon the results and adjusting the patient's management plan accordingly.

Request therapeutic procedures or interventions and evaluate the outcome of these interventions.

Assess and manage patients with complex problems, making independent referrals to medical teams and other practitioners within and outside the Ophthalmology Directorate.

Provide education and counselling regarding the range of treatment options available to the patient.

Provide the patient with comprehensive information regarding clinical procedures, ensuring informed consent.

Obtain written consent for surgical procedures, assessing capacity.

Manage complete programmes of care which provides support for patients and their families.

Make clinical decisions in the absence of specific protocols.

Use effective communication skills at an advanced level.

Correspond with GP's regarding treatment and management, formulating discharge letters.

Establish close liaison and communication between all disciplines involved in the care of patients and their families and work in partnership with other practitioners.

Clinical line management of the Optometry teams at South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust. Liaising with patient experience/liaison team, operational managers, and divisional managers ensuring a high standard and consistent delivery of service.

To train, appraise and develop ophthalmic specialist staff.

Promote clinical awareness of the need for constant review and development of professional practice, securing agreed changes or development in practice and taking action when unsatisfactory practice is identified.

Ensure effective use of physical and financial resources.

Manage the budget resources for the Optometry service identifying potential for cost savings and be an authorised signatory for ordering Optometry supplies and equipment.

Contribute to the strategic and operational development of the Ophthalmology service in line with current national guidelines.

Lead the development and review of care pathways, protocols and clinical guidelines relating to specialist roles within the directorate.

Ensure the duty rota reflects the workloads and timetables in the departments and maximises resources to ensure safe staffing and service delivery is achieved across the hospitals. To oversee the new referrals to the Optometry department, ensuring patients receive the appropriate first Optometry and Ophthalmology appointments.

Manage the Optometry staff ensuring their direct involvement in decision making and development of the service.

To fully line manage the Optometry department including recruitment and selection, dealing with disciplinary issues and grievances and sickness management and all other associated management roles in accordance with Trust policy.

Liaise with appropriate departments within the Trust regarding the modification of traditional role boundaries to facilitate the development of the advanced role.

Develop standards by which the ongoing development of the advanced role can be monitored.

Ensure the department resources are used in an appropriate and cost effective manner and that risks and incidents are reported.

Act as a role model to others, providing information and support to develop roles.

Communicate effectively with patients and staff, providing and receiving highly complex, sensitive or contentious information. To display influential, motivational, training, negotiation, empathic and reassurance skills and use as required.

Work collaboratively with the General Manager, Nurse and Orthoptic leads and Ophthalmology stakeholders to escalate issues and concerns, recognise achievements and opportunities for staff and service development within ophthalmology, ensure patient safety and enhance patient experience.

Analyse data and provide reports as required in response to service demands, capacity and business development.

Represent the Trust by contributing to and participating in meetings locally, regionally and nationally relating to the speciality.

To provide clinical leadership, giving advice and support to staff as required and acting as patients advocate at all times across Ophthalmology services.

Promote an environment that supports and values staff.

Demonstrate through effective leadership the ability to provide professional and emotional support to individuals and groups, e.g. during difficult situations or unexpected events.

Provide an environment that supports practice development and managing change in a supportive and positive manner.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Registered Optometrist with General Optical Council (GOC)
• BSc in Optometry or equivalent qualification
• Masters degree or equivalent within Ophthalmology
• Management qualification completion of management programme
• Teaching and assessing qualification

Experience

• Significant experience at Band 7 or above
• Highly developed Specialist experience across a wide range of Ophthalmic case mix
• Evidence of organisational and leadership skills
• Documented evidence of continuing professional development
• Experience in change management and problem solving
• Working across organisational boundaries
• Team building and staff development
• Experience of clinical leadership and operational management experience
• Experience in budget management
• Portfolio of evidence showing A) Achievements in Specialist practice B) Research & audit experience C) Team leadership experience D) Financial awareness E) Experience of assessing mental capacity F) Experience of service development
• Evidence of lecturing / presenting and clinical teaching experience
• Lead in audit or research projects

Skills

• Detailed knowledge of current best practice in relevant clinical areas
• Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance and its application
• Understand team dynamics with an ability to influence the building of effective relationships between staff, lead and motivate the team
• Highly developed analytical and judgement skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Negotiation and diplomacy skills
• Ability to work autonomously, plan, organise, prioritise and delegate
• Ability to work under pressure and cope in a stressful environment and with emotional / aggressive patients / carers
• Ability to understand and analyse professional and ethical issues and apply them to service development

Personal

• Ability to work autonomously
• Practical and calm under pressure
• Motivated and enthusiastic
• Adaptable and flexible
• Innovate and intuitive
• Able to work as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Ability to manage and lead a team
• Excellent role model
• Able to express self clearly and confidently - verbal and written
• Demonstrates commitment and ability to teach others
• Able to work under pressure and adapt to changing circumstances
• Able to achieve personal objectives

Other

• Excellent communication skills - written and verbal
• Ability to influence and negotiate at all levels
• Independent means of transport
• Flexible to meet the needs of the service
• Aware of current NHS issues and priorities

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This 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.