Job overview

We are looking for an orthoptist to join our friendly team for one year (maternity leave cover) to lead our teaching programme.  We are a team of 13 orthoptists providing a full range of orthoptic  services including tertiary referral clinics for ocular motility, infantile cataracts, nystagmus, and adult and paediatric neuro-ophthalmology. We work closely with four paediatric ophthalmologists, including two with a special interest in ocular motility, two neuro ophthalmologists, a vision scientist, a team of paediatrics optometrists, and our own dedicated reception and administration team. 

Main duties of the job

Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting. 

For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the ‘Job Description and Main Responsibilities’ section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached. 

Working for our organisation

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care. 

All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working, Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

You will  be involved in a wide range of our clinics,  including orthoptic input to adjustable sutures, botulinum toxin and stroke in-patients.  You will lead on the varied teaching activities in the department.  This includes the role of lead clinical tutor for orthoptic undergraduate students on placement.  You will also organise preceptorship for newly qualified members of the team, the training programme for scientific trainee students, block teaching of medical students, and training for other health professionals as needed. Representing orthoptics at local careers days is another important aspect of the role, and you will represent the department on the Trust's training committee. You will need to enjoy working as part of a team, and the ability to work on your own initiative and plan your own workload is also very important, with the support of the head orthoptists.   

Person specification

Trust Values

Essential criteria

• Patients First
• Always Improving
• Working Together

Qualifications, knowledge and experience

Essential criteria

• BSc/Diploma in Orthoptics
• Training for Orthoptists and annotation on the HCPC register
• Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• Masters degree in subject relevant to teaching / orthoptics
• Clinical teaching qualification
• Experience of clinical orthoptics including specialised clinics
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Experience of clinical audit
• Experience of teaching orthoptic under-graduate students
• Skills in clinical orthoptics
• Skills in clinical reasoning and decision making
• Sensitive empathetic manner with patients
• Flexibility in covering clinics as required

Desirable criteria

• Completion of Medicines Exemptions

Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if large numbers of applications are received.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to acknowledge receipt of your application. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date of this post, please presume that you have not been selected for interview.

Applicants from University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust whose posts are considered to be ‘At Risk’ will be given prior consideration for this post

Our Trust runs the return to practice course each year for nurses who have been out of the profession and wish to return. To find out more please visit our website:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/WorkingHere/Typesofjob/Nurses/Returntonursing.aspx

http://www.discoversouthampton.co.uk/   Information on Southampton as a place to live and enjoy

https://www.uhs-vle.co.uk/   See what fantastic training and development we have on offer at UHS

http://www.youtube.com/user/SouthamptonHospitals learn about the Trust through visiting our YouTube channel 

Getting to Work

Application can be made for parking on site at UHS or through one of the park and ride schemes. This will be based on specific criteria to determine eligibility for site parking as this can be very limited.  UHS encourages staff to utilise other green methods of getting to work such as cycling or walking where possible. UHS is well connected through bus services to the city centre and other areas.

Please note that we will not accept any applications or queries via agencies, under any circumstances.

Our staff are positive about working at UHS and rate us above average compared to other NHS Trusts in the Staff Attitude Survey. We are rated strongly on a number of areas including teamwork, communication and engagement.

Equality remains at the centre of all Trust policy making, service delivery and employment practice with all employees being given equality of opportunity to develop, apply for promotion and have working arrangements that enable them to achieve a manageable work-life balance.

The Trust actively promotes a work environment free from harassment and discrimination and provides training for managers and staff to ensure this happens. The Trust also closely monitors recruitment activity, training and development and employment practices to ensure equality of practice with regard to race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status and age.

As a service provider the Trust ensures equality of access and delivery of our services through the provision of interpreter services, facilities for the disabled and sensitivity for patients ethnic and religious differences and needs.

Relocating to Southampton

If you are thinking of moving to the Hampshire area, please find below a link to our website which offers guidance on finding accommodation:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/relocating-to-southampton

The Trust is under a duty to protect the public funds it administers, and to this end may use the information you have provided on this form for the prevention and detection of fraud. It may also share this information with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds for these purposes.