Advanced Orthoptic Practitioner / Lead Neuro/Stroke

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is one of the largest healthcare systems in the United Kingdom, employing approximately 40,000 staff across a wide range of clinical and non-clinical professions and roles. We deliver acute hospital, primary, community and mental health services to a population of over 1.15 million people, and to a wider population of 2.2 million when regional and national services are included.

THIS POST IS OPEN TO CURRENT NHS GREATER GLASGOW & CLYDE STAFF ONLY.

The Role

This post provides an exciting opportunity to work in a large multi-disciplinary team of Band 6/Band 7 orthoptists (12.28 wte), 1 orthoptic assistant, optometry, ophthalmology and nursing colleagues working across South Glasgow. Our caseload is varied including adult motility, paediatrics, neuro-ophthalmology, stroke and oculoplastics as well as supporting the ophthalmology acute referral centre and carrying out pre-school vision screening in nurseries.

The departmental base is Gartnavel General Hospital, but we work across acute centres of Queen Elizabeth University Hospitals / Institute of Neurological Sciences, New Victoria Hospital and in the community in nurseries and West Child Development centre. As well as our core roles, we have developed advanced practice roles within neuro-ophthalmology and adult motility services and extended roles within Stroke and Glaucoma. These afford excellent opportunities for learning and development. The department is recognised as a quality placement provider to undergraduate Orthoptic students and is involved in teaching pre-reg optometrists and junior medical staff.

The postholder(s) will work autonomously and will be supported to enhance their skills in specialist clinics. Support and supervision and mentoring are embedded in our responsibility to staff.

Duration, Location, and Working Pattern:

Please note the salary is Pro Rata for part time hours.

This is a permanent, full-time post of 33 hours per week. Part time hours negotiable to suit clinical need.

The role is based at Gartnavel General Hospital.

The Shift pattern is 8am-5pm but some variance dependant on specific assigned clinics.

Key Responsibilities

Please see attached Job Description below.

Knowledge, training, qualifications and/or experience required to do the job:

Essential Criteria

The postholder must:

• Hold a Degree or Diploma in Orthoptics and be HCPC registered (including exemptions applicable to Orthoptists).
• Have extensive post-graduate clinical experience.
• Have extensive experience in Neuro-Ophthalmology.
• Demonstrate experience of working autonomously in both adult and paediatric shared-care clinics.
• Demonstrate excellent communication skills.
• Demonstrate effective team-working skills.
• Demonstrate empathy and a patient-centred approach to care.
• Have previous audit experience.
• Provide documented evidence of up-to-date Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and demonstrate a commitment to developing knowledge and skills.
• Demonstrate effective planning, organisational and time-management skills.
• Be proficient in Microsoft Office applications and patient administration systems.
  
  

Desirable Criteria

The Postholder Should

• Have completed appropriate Practice Educator training and have experience delivering student practice placements.
• Have experience delivering pre-school vision screening as an autonomous practitioner.
• Demonstrate evidence of contributing to service improvement through audit and clinical governance processes.
• Hold a valid UK driving licence and be able to travel between sites and community nurseries.
• Hold a Master's degree in Orthoptics or a related subject.
• Have management and/or leadership experience.
• Have knowledge of research methodology and be willing to contribute to research activities.
• Support the implementation of wider NHS Scotland objectives.
• Have knowledge of strategic plans relating to the development of Orthoptic services.
  
  

What We Offer

We offer a wide range of supportive policies designed to enhance your employee journey, including a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work Scheme, bursary scheme and extensive learning and development opportunities.

As an NHS Scotland employee, you will be entitled to:

• A minimum of 27 days annual leave, increasing with length of service, plus public holidays
• Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme, including life insurance benefits
• Salary Sacrifice Car Benefit Scheme
• Development opportunities including study bursaries, e-learning and classroom-based courses
• Enhanced pay for working public holidays
• NHS discounts on a wide range of goods and services
• Confidential employee support and assistance, including counselling and psychological therapies
  
  

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, we would love to hear from you.

For An Informal Discussion, Please Contact

Dawn Buchan, Head Orthoptist, 0141 211 0131/ 1042, [email protected]

Details on how to contact the Recruitment Service and the Recruitment Process: Information for candidates

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Tip: Think of AI as a helper, not a substitute. We want to understand you, not an AI tool.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) recognises the importance of work-life balance and is committed to offering a range of flexible working options where service needs allow. For roles where less than full-time hours can be accommodated, and where the tenure is listed as “various”, we encourage applications from individuals seeking flexible working arrangements. Flexible working will be included as a topic for discussion during the recruitment process.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde encourages applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and are proud of the diverse workforce we employ.

By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, NHSGGC has pledged its commitment to being a Forces Friendly Employer. We welcome applications from across the Armed Forces Community and recognise military skills, experience and qualifications throughout the recruitment and selection process.

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