Role Summary
Applications are invited from suitably experienced and enthusiastic professionals to lead our compassionate and collaborative multidisciplinary team of Optometrists, Nurse Practitioners, and Orthoptists in the Emergency Eye Service (EES). We would welcome a colleague to lead the service on a full-time basis or job share.
There are significant development opportunities within this role in management and leadership, education and quality improvement. There is strong support from the Consultant team and other heads of service. The post holder has budget and physical resource responsibility for the service.
As a department, we are dedicated to the development of a strong multidisciplinary team ready for the future. The post holder will ensure that the care provided is consistent and of a high standard throughout the patient care pathway, and lead in service developments to achieve this. They will have management responsibility for the team and supervise and educate junior members of staff.
About the Role
For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.
More detail about the role:
Our EES provides treatment for urgent, sight threatening problems. The successful candidate will assess, diagnose and treat these patients alongside the Ophthalmologist in the EES. They will also work in Primary care clinics. The role requires autonomous working and accountability for own professional actions when working within their sphere of competence, therefore an independent prescribing qualification is essential. They are responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of service users, always ensuring that the care provided is compassionate and safeguards the dignity and well-being of all patients.
Although the service is open Monday - Saturday from the West of England Eye Unit, with Sunday opening in the foreseeable future, this position is Monday - Friday. The role also involves leading the telephone triage service for the EES, who receive queries from primary eye care (Community Optometrists, GP practices, minor injuries units, NHS111, and the main emergency department) as well as post-operative patients.
Also, the post holder will play an active role in seeking out education and training opportunities for their staff, deliver clinical improvement meetings, and facilitate placements for other healthcare professionals (student and pre-reg Optometrists, Nurse Practitioners, IP Optometrist placements, medical students).
Working Pattern: 37.5 hours, compressed/flexible hours will be considered.
Interview Date: 5th May 2023
For further information please contact Louise Frost , Head of optometry. Email lousie.frost1@nhs.net
Preference will be given to staff with ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.
About Us
Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford). Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within people’s own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).
Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.
Our values are at the heart of everything we do, click here to find out more
It has never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as you will help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.
Benefits
Looking after you is important to us.
We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.
If you are starting out in the NHS, you’ll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.
You will benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.
We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.
This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we will help you get there.
Salary is not the only financial benefit
You will have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers. You will also have access to other benefits including:
- National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.
- Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter
- Car lease schemes.
- The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).
- Cycle to work scheme
These are just a few of the benefits available – if the role is something you are interested in, we would love to hear from you.
