Orthoptist

Dublin - Ireland

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: 08-11-2025

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Overview

Post title	Staff Grade Orthoptist
Post Status	Permanent Contract
Post Purpose	To provide high quality comprehensive orthoptic and perimetry services as an autonomous practitioner for ophthalmology neurology endocrinology maxillary facial and other hospital departments.
Department	Orthoptic Department
Location	Beaumont Hospital Dublin 9
Reports to	Business Manager- Neurocent Directorate
Rate of Pay	44563 to 63786 LSI
Hours of work	Full Time 35 hours 5 days
Closing Date	12 noon on 1/12/2025 Please note the hospital reserves the right to close the competition early should a substantial number of applications be received.

Position Summary:

To work autonomously as an orthoptist within the multi-disciplinary team managing a wide clinical caseload

To 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

To be responsible for planning implementing and monitoring individual treatment plans/care pathways for patients of all ages using clinical reasoning and evidence based practice.

To participate in the clinical training of orthoptic undergraduates and other health professionals

Responsibilities

Clinical Duties

To be responsible as an autonomous practitioner for the orthoptic management and perimetry assessments of your own specific workload working within established protocols.
To perform visual fields using both the Octopus and Humphrey visual field machines
Management of a clinical caseload using strong clinical knowledge and skills and an ability to work on own initiative as well as part of a team.
To provide orthoptic support within dedicated ocular motility and neuro-ophthalmology clinics. These clinics require varied investigations techniques utilising different tests and then analysing and interpreting the test results and other patient factors that may impact on the diagnosis and management. This may involve discussions with a senior clinician on the clinical findings.
To conduct an orthoptic and Perimetry assessment that will require varied investigations techniques utilising different tests and then analysing and interpreting the test results and other patient factors that may impact on the diagnosis and management.
To provide clear and concise documentation in the form of Hess charts and Octopus visual fields which may influence the need for surgical intervention thereby forming an integral role in the multi-disciplinary investigation diagnosis and treatment medical &/or trauma patients.
To conclude a diagnosis for orthoptic patients which is supported by sound investigative techniques using problem solving and advanced analytical skills.
To be responsible for planning implementing and monitoring individual orthoptic treatment plans/ care pathways for patients of all ages using sound clinical reasoning and evidence based practice.
To assess patients results and act when they show instability or new clinical signs.
To work within a mutli-disciplinary team with Consultants medical staff and other medical professionals with sole responsibility for orthoptic assessments diagnoses and management and treatment options.
To provide a treatment plan that enables each patient to obtain the best visual function including: Visual acuity binocularity ocular alignment and optimum use of their visual fields
To consider the diagnosis medical conditions and psychosocial factors in developing the treatment plan.
To undertake interpret and report on specialist visual field assessment (in adults and children) by confrontation or using specialist perimetry equipment including Octopus Humphrey.
To provide an orthoptic service for paediatric patients referred from cochlear implant service which may require adaption of clinical skills in order to investigate fully due to their complex medical condition.
To accurately assess and compare spectacles prescriptions using automated and manual focimetry.
To manage an unpredictable workload dependant on changing demands and interruptions and ability to work under pressure.
To maintain up-to -date knowledge of external guidelines that may affect rehabilitation potentials e.g. Road Safety Authority (RSA) driving guidelines ensuring standards are continuously met and discussed fully with patients staff and carers where appropriate.
Manual handling is regularly required e.g. movement of patients (from wheelchairs to examination chairs)
Be aware 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.
To participate in the undergraduate orthoptic teaching of students from the UK

Communication

To write appropriate records including diagrammatic Orthoptic records and hospital case notes.
Ability to relay results of investigation diagnosis and management options to patient carer and colleagues
To clearly explain visual problems to patient and carer ensuring they comprehend the information to the best of their ability.
To provide advice and guidance to referring clinicians (Occupational Therapists Physiotherapists etc..) on a case to case basis when required.
The orthoptist may be the first point of contact for patients with debilitating diseases. Occasionally news can be unpleasant for example explaining the patients visual field defect may prevent them from retuning to drive therefore good interpersonal and communication skills are needed.
To be able to change own way of communicating to enable people to understand what is being communicated for example stroke patients with language difficulties using pictures.

Professional Duties:

To be professionally accountable for all aspects of professional and clinical work
Respect the values beliefs and needs of patients and staff and include patients in decision making process as appropriate.
To take appropriate action where required in managing each patient- for example arranging follow-up appointments writing correspondence to other services and referrals to other healthcare professionals.
Interpret standards of orthoptic practice as well as professional codes of conduct professional and organisational policies ensuring they are incorporated into the orthoptic service practice.
To ensure that professional standards are maintained in relation to confidentiality ethics and legislation
Promote initiatives within the orthoptic service that will ensure a high standard of professional practice development in line with improved patient care.
Demonstrate understanding and respect for the roles of all members of the MDT.
Keep up to date with developments within neuro-orthoptics in own organisation professional body nationally and internationally and apply to practice.
Contribute professional expertise to wider organisational initiatives/committees/steering groups at local national and international level.
Provide orthoptic support to the Ophthalmology service and other departments within the organisation.
To attend and contribute to Orthoptic departmental meetings and Ophthalmology directorate meetings.

Education and Professional Development

Maintain knowledge of current clinical practice and attend training programmes/ courses to enhance current knowledge and skills to allow expansion into other roles/duties. This includes discussion with senior staff.
Will network with the Irish Association of Orthoptists(IAO)and other professional bodies to exchange and enhance knowledge base.

To maintain records of CPD as recommended by CORU and the professional body (British and Irish Orthoptic Society).
To be responsible for personal evaluation of CPD and dissemination of information gained.
To actively participate in departmental and relevant service audits and professional development activities.
Participate in mandatory training programmes.

Qualifications

Mandatory

In exercise of the powers conferred on me by Section 22 of the Health Act 2004 I hereby
approve the qualifications as set out hereunder for the appointment and continuing as an
Orthoptist.

1. Professional Qualifications Experience etc

(a) Eligible applicants will be those who on the closing date for the competition possess:
(i) (Hons) Orthoptics from Glasgow Caledonian University.

(ii) (Hons) Orthoptics from the University of Liverpool.

(iii) BMed Sci (Hons) Orthoptics from the University of Sheffield.

(iv) A validated qualification equivalent to (i) or (ii) or (iii) above.

(b) be registered as an Orthoptist with the Health & Care Professionals UK.

and

(c) Candidates must have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard
of suitability and management ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the
office.

2. Age

Age restriction shall only apply to a candidate where s/he is not classified as a new
entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous
Provisions) Act 2004). A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under
65 years of age on the first day of the month in which the latest date for receiving
completed application forms for the office occurs.

3. Health

Candidates for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of
undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would
indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

4. Character

Candidates for and any person holding the office must be of good character.

Desirable

Candidate has a maximum 5 years clinical experience.

Informal Enquiries ONLY to:

Name:

Caroline Byrne

Email address:

OverviewPost titleStaff Grade OrthoptistPost StatusPermanent ContractPost PurposeTo provide high quality comprehensive orthoptic and perimetry services as an autonomous practitioner for ophthalmology neurology endocrinology maxillary facial and other hospital departments.DepartmentOrthoptic Departme...