Mater Misericordiae University Hospital

Dublin

Job Description & Person Specification

Job Title / Grade:                                          Ophthalmology Optometrist

Department / Division:                                 Ophthalmology

Directorate:                                                     Surgery

Location:                                                           Ophthalmology Outpatients

                                                                            Diabetic Retinopathy Clinic

                                                                           Ashgrove House 

Reporting Relationship:                                Ophthalmology Unit Manager

Responsible to:                 Operations Manager Surgery Directorate & Clinical Lead in Ophthalmology

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Purpose:

The Optometrist will have responsibility for delivery and continuity of a patient centred refractions and primary ocular examinations of patients and where appropriate to conduct necessary examinations and investigations, and also to detect primary ophthalmic pathology in patients referred to the Eye Service and to direct such patients for appropriate treatment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participate in the development of the Optometric services within the Mater Campus
• Provide a high quality, effective and evidence based service that is current and responsive to patient needs
• Be accountable for the subjective or dilated refraction and ocular examination of patients referred to the Department
• Be responsible for detecting ocular abnormalities in patients referred to the Department in line with your professional scope of practice Provide support and advice to patients about abnormal ocular conditions, management and appropriate action. Provide a high quality, effective and evidence based service that is current and responsive to patient needs.
• Highlight any concerns to senior clinicians
• Identify patients that need ophthalmologist opinion in line with local protocols.
• Liaise with ophthalmic staff in relation to patient care.
• Keep accurate records of patients seen, assessments carried out and treatment and be aware of all relevant legislation.
• Participate in electronic record keeping
• Carry out visual field/Biometry/OCT testing if required
• Attend post-graduate training courses when relevant, and stay up to date with current thinking.
• Liaise with other community and hospital departments and other ophthalmic departments as appropriate.
• Participate in the teaching needs of the departments (formal/informal) including participation in the education of nurses, medical officers and junior doctors
• Participate in the development of the Optometric services within the community and hospital as we develop the role.

• To be aware of and comply with Organisational, Professional and Departmental Policies and Procedures and to be involved in updating these with the Clinical Team (e.g. at team meetings).
• Be aware of issues surrounding Child Protection
• Ensure Health and Safety policy is observed.

Other Duties

The Optometrist will:

• Be aware of and involved in current trends in optometric practise and introduce new ideas to promote high standards of evidence based patient care.
• Work in co-operation with the multi-disciplinary team and other relevant staff and stakeholders to provide an integrated service.
• Be committed to lifelong learning and undertake continual professional development and mandatory training provided and maintain adequate competency levels whilst sharing knowledge and skills with other team members as appropriate.
• Participate in audit and research projects with the aim of enhancing the service.
• To participate in the practice education of students
• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etcand comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.
• Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

General Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Confidentiality

You will be aware of the confidential nature of Hospital work and in particular, the right of patients to confidentiality.

• Policies & Procedures

You are required to familiarise yourself with and adhere to all policy and procedural documents relevant to your position.

• Hygiene Standards

The highest standard of hygiene must be maintained in the Hospital at all times and all staff members are responsible for ensuring compliance with the Hospitals requirements and standards

with regard to hygiene. It is the responsibility of all staff to have a fundamental understanding of their individual responsibility in maintaining departmental & site hygiene standards.

• Health and Safety

Ensure that effective safety procedures are in place to comply not only with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 but also within the spirit of the Hospital’s mission, vision and values, and they are known and followed by staff. You are required to familiarise yourself with the requirements of employees under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and to promote a work environment that is compliant with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.  Each staff member is individually responsible for ensuring that the Hospital remains a safe place to work.

• Information Technology

Ensure the most effective and efficient use of developments in information technology for administrative support in a manner, which integrates well with systems throughout the organisation.

• Business Continuity Management

Business Continuity Management (BCM) is a holistic management process that identifies potential impacts that threaten an organisation and provides a framework for building resilience and the capability for an effective response that safeguards the interests of its key stakeholders and reputation” (BS 25999) All Staff employed in the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital are obliged to:

• make themselves familiar with the Organisational Business Continuity Plan
• attend BCM education sessions provided for them
• make themselves familiar with their individual roles as set out in their departmental business continuity plan if applicable and or the Organisational business continuity plan

Note:

These duties and responsibilities are a reflection of the present service requirements and may be subject to review and amendment to meet the changing needs of the Hospital. 

The incumbent Optometrist will be required to maintain, enhance and develop their professional knowledge, skills and aptitudes necessary to respond to a changing climate. 

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Job Title/Grade	Optometrist
Department	Ophthalmology
Location	MMUH
Date	September 2022

Requirements	Essential	Desirable
Qualifications                Annual registration retention	Registered as an Optometrist with the Optical Registration Board at CORU or be eligible to register Ability to undertake in-house training in post Evidence of continuous professional development Optometrist must maintain annual registration on the Optometrist register maintained by ORB at Coru.	Post op cataract experience
Experience	Possess a Minimum of 5 years post registration experience   Candidates must possess the requisite knowledge and ability for the proper discharge of the duties of this role   Demonstrate depth and breadth of optometry experience as relevant to the role	Possess experience of Hospital practice in relevant fields relating to patient management

Organisational Knowledge	Be aware of the ethos of the Mater Hospital	Understanding of the workings of a busy ophthalmic diagnostics service.
Professional Knowledge	Sufficient clinical and professional knowledge to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role. Willingness to develop IT skills relevant to the role. Capacity to deliver the service in an effective and resourceful manner within a model of person-centred care.
Core Aptitudes Analytical & Judgemental Skills             Planning & Organisational Skills             Strong leadership and influencing skills.         Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.               Other Skills	A strong commitment to continuous improvement and continuing professional development   Ability to network and build and maintain relationships.   Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.   Participation as part of a team and to establish good working relationships with personnel at all levels.   Committed to protecting patient privacy and confidentiality of personal information.   Proven ability to be meticulous in adhering to established policies and procedures.   Goal setting in conjunction with line manager and timely delivery of completed targets.   Ability to be calm and clear in execution of tasks and duties.   Ability to work on own initiative and manage deadlines.   Patience and caring nature with empathy for those finding themselves patients of our hospital.   Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a multi-disciplinary environment.

Core Aptitudes Analytical & Judgemental Skills             Planning & Organisational Skills             Strong leadership and influencing skills.         Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.               Other Skills

A strong commitment to continuous improvement and continuing professional development   Ability to network and build and maintain relationships.   Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.   Participation as part of a team and to establish good working relationships with personnel at all levels.   Committed to protecting patient privacy and confidentiality of personal information.   Proven ability to be meticulous in adhering to established policies and procedures.   Goal setting in conjunction with line manager and timely delivery of completed targets.   Ability to be calm and clear in execution of tasks and duties.   Ability to work on own initiative and manage deadlines.   Patience and caring nature with empathy for those finding themselves patients of our hospital.   Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a multi-disciplinary environment.