Job overview
We are expanding and now is the time to come and join our team. Are you motivated & driven to deliver excellence in clinical care? Then we want to hear from you.
We are looking to appoint 2 full-time band 3 Orthoptic assistants / clinical support workers to come and join the Orthoptic Department at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
The post holder will work between hospital sites at The James Cook University Hospital and our satellite clinic at Low Grange Health Village, Middlesbrough, with other team members.
This vacancy will close once sufficient applications have been received.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be an active member of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT), supporting the qualified Orthoptists to provide an efficient and effective service within the framework of clinical governance. The post holder will participate in the delivery of care to patients in the Orthoptic Department as directed by the qualified Orthoptists and contribute to the smooth running of clinics and co-ordination of patients as directed by the qualified orthoptic staff.
Thepostholderwillalsocarryoutdelegatedclinicalcareduties and activitiesincluding department based clinical procedures and clinical observations (as competent) and directed by registered professionals and within clearly defined parameters, to provide healthcare and support that is individualised to the patient needs.
Activities include but are not limited to; obtaining a patient history for new referrals, obtaining and interpreting clinical observations, undertaking visual acuity, undertaking colour vision assessment, focimetry, OCT scans and other clinical tests for patients of all ages and abilities, interpreting test results and presenting / escalating to the qualified Orthoptist where required.
Working for our organisation
Recently rated as one of the best in the country for patient safety and one of the top 40 hospitals by CHKS for the tenth year running, the Trust is one of the largest Foundation Trusts in England. Working in the Northeast offers an excellent quality of life. This area boasts great transport links with easy access to a beautiful coastline/countryside and a great range of local amenities.
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust offers leadership and improvement training to all new staff to the Trust; this training programme has been designed to support our leaders in developing their understanding of leadership and management skills. You will be expected to attend the leadership development programme, and the Quality Improvement Programme that the Trust delivers. This programme aims to:
Explore leadership within the NHS Promote Trust Values and Behaviours Develop your Leadership effectiveness and skills Practitioner level in quality improvement, equipping you with the skills to champion, lead and complete quality improvement within your role
After you complete this four and a half days of training you will be able to explore further leadership and improvement training opportunities, we offer further in-house courses dependent upon your role and bitesize programmes and leadership apprenticeships at level 3,5 and 7.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the full job description and person specification document(s) for main responsibilities of the role.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
Numeracy and Literacy Level 2 Care certificate Level 3 vocational qualification Or Short courses and completion of competency workbook equivalent to Level 3 in a range of patient and clinical care duties and/or Equivalent knowledge and experience in a range of clinical care duties equivalent to Level 3; -Theoretical knowledge -Experience of a range of care and related procedures -clinical observations -knowledge of relevant legislation
Desirable criteria
Attendance at foundation improvement training and the new and aspiring leaders program (within first year of role). Equipment training
Knowledge and skills
Essential criteria
Excellent interpersonal, communication and active listening skills. Basic IT skills to use electronic patient records and other Trust systems. Analytical and judgement skills to make decisions based on patient / service user interactions and observations and metrics Time-keeping, organisational planning and prioritisation skills Insight into behaviours and skills of a carer and the need for effective team work. Knowledge of Safeguarding Commitment to continued professional development. Ability to adopt appropriate styles and methods of communication.
Desirable criteria
Working knowledge of and/or experience of working in Orthoptics or Ophthalmology, including knowledge of orthoptic clinical testing procedures Familiarity with current NHS and social care policies. Experience of working with children and young people and ability to gain understanding and co-operation of children. Working knowledge of STHFT policies and procedures. Understanding of issues relating to assessing sight impaired or cognitive impaired patients.
Experience
Essential criteria
Experience of working in a health or social care role Experience of undertaking and recording clinical observations and escalation of changes or findings
Desirable criteria
Experience of working in an Ophthalmology clinical setting. Experience of working in and NHS care role.
Personal attributes
Essential criteria
Ability to deal with a wide range of people at all levels, including clients, carers, family, health and social care colleagues and other professionals. Caring and empathetic. Motivated and enthusiastic with a pro-active approach. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Committed to providinghigh quality patient care. Willingness to undertake job related training and multi- disciplinary competencies for more effective patient care. Ability to work calmly and effectively under pressure. To be approachable and maintain a good rapport with colleagues.
Desirable criteria
Ability to travel between the sites from which the Trust undertakes its business or attend meetings or training off-site.
Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS)
It is now the policy of South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who are new to the Trust who require DBS clearance for the post they have been offered, are required to pay the cost of their DBS. The method of payment for this is via salary deduction from your first month's pay.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. We welcome applications from the Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Network; LGBT+ Network; Disability and Long-Term Health Conditions Network, Faith Network, Childless not by Choice Network and the Menopause Support Group.
As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you.
If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, email our team at
The Trust encourages and supports all applicants to be fully vaccinated against both COVID19 and influenza.
Please be aware, there are occasions where some vacancies may close prior to the closing date advertised. This will only happen where sufficient applications are received AND will be made evident on the job advert.
Please note if you are successfully shortlisted, we will contact you via the email address that you have applied from so please ensure you check your emails regularly.
Existing employees of South Tees NHS Foundation Trust currently on the Redeployment Register, who meet the essential criteria for this post, will be shortlisted and interviewed prior to all other applicants.
