Staff Grade Orthoptist
Location: Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9
Reports to: Business Manager – Neurocent Directorate
Contract type: Permanent
Full time: 35 hours – 5 days
Pay range: €44,563 to €63,786 LSI
Closing date: 12 noon on 1/12/2025
Position Summary
* Work autonomously as an orthoptist within a multi‑disciplinary team managing a wide clinical caseload.
* Deliver a comprehensive range of orthoptic and perimetry services to the highest standards of care in accordance with agreed pathways/protocols and local practice standards.
* Plan, implement and monitor individual treatment plans for patients of all ages using clinical reasoning and evidence‑based practice.
* Participate in the clinical training of orthoptic undergraduates and other health professionals.
Responsibilities
Clinical Duties
* Act as an autonomous practitioner responsible for orthoptic management and perimetry assessments of your workload within established protocols.
* Perform visual fields using Octopus and Humphrey visual field machines.
* Manage a clinical caseload using strong clinical knowledge, initiative and teamwork.
* Provide orthoptic support within dedicated ocular motility and neuro‑ophthalmology clinics, analysing investigations and discussing findings with senior clinicians.
* Conduct orthoptic and perimetry assessments, interpreting results and factors that impact diagnosis and management.
* Document findings clearly using Hess charts and Octopus visual fields, influencing treatment decisions.
* Diagnose orthoptic patients with sound investigative techniques and analytical skills.
* Plan, implement and monitor individual orthoptic treatment plans and care pathways using evidence‑based practice.
* Act when patients show instability or new clinical signs.
* Collaborate with consultants, medical staff and other professionals, maintaining sole responsibility for orthoptic assessments and management options.
* Develop treatment plans to maximize visual function, considering medical and psychosocial factors.
* Interpret and report specialist visual field assessments for adults and children using confrontation or specialised perimetry equipment.
* Provide orthoptic service for paediatric patients referred from the cochlear implant service, adapting skills for complex medical conditions.
* Assess spectacles prescriptions using automated and manual focimetry.
* Manage unpredictable workload demands, working under pressure.
* Keep up to date with external guidelines (e.g., RSA driving guidelines) and discuss them with patients, staff and carers.
* Manually handle patients, ensuring hygiene standards are maintained.
Communication
* Write appropriate records, including diagrammatic orthoptic records and hospital case notes.
* Relay results, diagnoses and options to patients, carers and colleagues.
* Communicate visual problems clearly to patients and carers, adapting methods for those with language difficulties.
* Advise and guide referring clinicians on a case‑by‑case basis.
* Provide first‑line support for patients with debilitating diseases, offering compassion and clear information.
Professional Duties
* Be professionally accountable for all clinical work.
* Respect values, beliefs and needs of patients and staff, including shared decision‑making.
* Arrange follow‑ups, write correspondence, make referrals when required.
* Interpret and apply standards of orthoptic practice and professional codes of conduct.
* Maintain confidentiality, ethics and legislation standards.
* Promote initiatives that improve patient care and professional practice development.
* Respect all MDT roles and keep up to date with developments in neuro‑orthoptics.
* Contribute expertise to committees, steering groups and organisational initiatives.
* Support the Ophthalmology service and other departments within the organisation.
* Attend and contribute to departmental and directorate meetings.
Education & Professional Development
* Maintain knowledge of current practice, attending training programmes and courses.
* Network with professional bodies such as the Irish Association of Orthoptists to exchange knowledge.
* Maintain CPD records per CORU and professional bodies.
* Disseminate information gained from CPD and participate in mandatory training and audits.
Qualifications
Mandatory
* Professional qualifying, experience and mandatory B.Sc (Hons) Orthoptics from Glasgow Caledonian University, University of Liverpool, British and Irish Orthoptic Society or equivalent validated qualification.
* Registered as an Orthoptist with Health & Care Professionals UK.
* Have requisite knowledge and ability for duties of the office.
* Under 65 years of age on the first day of the month in which application forms are received.
* Be fully competent and capable in health to render regular and efficient service.
* Have good character.
Desirable
Maximum 5 years’ clinical experience.
Contact Information
Informal enquiries: Caroline Byrne, carolinebyrne@beaumont.ie
Seniority level
Entry level
Employment type
Full‑time
Job function
Health Care Provider
Industries
Hospitals and Health Care
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