Head of Orthoptics

Job summary

Head 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 job

o 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 us

We 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 responsibilities

The 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

• Planning skills

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