Job Title

Role DescriptionRead on to fully understand what this job requires in terms of skills and experience If you are a good match, make an application.Sessional OptometristLocation: London School or SchoolsSalary: 250 per day + BenefitsHours:1 day a week (school term time only)About SeeAbilitySeeAbility is established as the leading national eye care expert for people with learning disabilities.As a Specialist Registered Charityit has over 220 years experience supporting people who have a visual impairment, learning disability, autism or complex support needs.What you bringTo be a part of SeeAbilitys NHS England commissioned Special Schools Eye Care team in a London school or schools. You will be responsible for regular visits to the same school(s) with a Dispensing Optician partner during school term times only. SeeAbility Special Schools Eye Care team training will be provided to all successful applicants.Your responsibility: Provide specialist eye care and eye care and vision information in schools to meet NHS Englands Special School Eye Care Service SpecificationTo undertake SeeAbility Special Schools Eye Care Team trainingCommunicate appropriately and confidently with children who have complex needsCommunicate highly sensitive, potentially distressing information to patients relatives or carers, not infrequently in the presence of significant barriers to understanding learning and physical disabilitiesTo manage your caseload of patients using evidence based practice whenever possibleTo be responsible for independent complex decision making in the management of individual clinical cases in areas where expert opinions may differLiaise directly with parents and schools on your caseload of children (using secure NHS mail when indicated and meeting GDPR requirements).You will have the support of SeeAbilitys Special Schools Service Manager and administrators.To be responsible for referral of all children needing spectacle correction to the SeeAbility Dispensing Optician (and to provide spectacle dispensing services when required)To prescribe and advise on the use of eye dropsTo demonstrate a high degree of physical skill in the manipulation and utilisation of complex diagnostic equipmentTo effect interdisciplinary cooperation with other agencies such as local social services and educational representatives to facilitate the provision of high quality patient careTo consider the appropriate involvement of other healthcare professionals to benefit patient care. This may include but is not limited to orthoptists, GPs, Ophthalmologists, Paediatricians, Speech and Language therapists, Occupational therapists, PhysiotherapistsTo ensure accurate documentation of all interactions with patients, fellow healthcare professionals and other agenciesProduce for all children written reports of clinical outcomes for parents, teaching staff and other professionals where that information may positively impact their professional management of the child and according to NHS Englands Service Specification and Guidelines. These reports should be produced within 5 working days of a clinical assessment in the absence of exceptional circumstances.Share clinical information in the most appropriate and secure way (with administrative support from the practice administrators and/or service manager)Where clinically indicated, refer a child for further management to an ophthalmologist, orthoptist or general practitioner.Transport notes, laptop and testing equipment between sites as requiredTo be accountable for own actions, using initiative and judgement with regard to patients management working within broad health policies but able to act independently in the best interests of patient careTo ensure a safe clean, therapeutic environment for patients, visitors and colleagues is maintained and ensure that all procedures for infection control are carried out according to policy Frequent manual handling of wheelchair usersRegular repositioning of heavy equipmentFrequent sitting in restricted positionsProlonged maintenance of difficult postures during the examination of patients whilst simultaneously holding or manipulating instrumentation.Intense concentration, often exceeding 2-3 hrs continuously, required in carrying out unpredictable clinical examinationsFrequent interruptions during clinical examination to give advice to other staffProlonged mental effort in dealing with patients with hearing and/or speech impairment, language barriers and uncooperative and/or challenging behaviourCalculations of mathematical formulae necessary to obtain optical powers, illuminances, working distances, magnifications etc.Informing patients, carer and parents regarding visual loss impacting permanently on quality of lifeTo cultivate and sustain good communication channels with other clinical and non-clinical staff within the service to ensure safe and effective collaborative working practicesTo assist the Head of Eye Health in facilitating and undertaking risk assessments to maintain the safety of patients and staffIn time to mentor new eye care team members as part of SeeAbility/NHSEs training programmeA requirement to join at least 2 SeeAbility team meetings a year.Demonstrate an awareness of and compliance with health and safety regulations/procedures that apply to staff, patients, and visitors within serviceTo ensure that all incidents, accidents or near misses involving patients, visitors or staff are accurately reported and investigated as appropriate.To promptly report to the Special Schools Service Manager and the Clinical Lead for any absence from work due to sickness.Maintain personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the job, participate and initiate appropriate training activities and encourage and support staff development and trainingTo deliver training sessions to your assigned school annually with support from the Service Manager and Clinical LeadDemonstrate a commitment to evidence based practice and clinical excellence and play an active role in the introduction of this evidence to improve patient centred careUndertake clinical audit using appropriate research methodologiesTo ensure a working knowledge of the IT systems used by the serviceEnsure clinical records are maintained and stored in line with correct information governance procedures, including the Data Protection Act and the NHS Information Guidance ToolkitSupport the themes, values and goals outlined in the UK Vision StrategyMaintain records and reports as required and ensure they are uploaded to shared information system in a timely wayRemain up to date on developments in the field of eye health and vision and learning/multiple disability including the implications of legislation and policyStrive to ensure that SeeAbility embraces diversity in how it delivers its services and adhere at all times to the requirements of the General Social Care Council Code of Practice and SeeAbilitys Code of Conduct and philosophy.Assist in maintaining a safe working environment and to follow the requirements of SeeAbilitys Health and Safety Manual (policies and procedures) and any local codes of set working practicesTo maintain confidentiality at all times and adhere to safeguarding proceduresTo undertake other duties commensurate with the role of optometrist under the instruction of the Special Schools Service Manager and Clinical LeadFor extensive Job description, please see the attached.Our BenefitsOur colleagues at SeeAbility are extremely valued, and so everyone has access to a fantastic package of benefits. Discounts and cashback at hundreds of shops, restaurants and activitiesEligible for Blue Light Card discountsSave 10% on monthly bus travelPay reviews and commitment to pay competitive ratesEmployer contributory pension scheme - Support and tools to help you make the right decisions about your futureRefer a friend and receive 600Paid DBS and renewalsSeason ticket loansTPBN1_UKTJ