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Slit - Lamp Biomicroscopy Examiner | 393 Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Posting date:	15 January 2025
Salary:	Not specified
Additional salary information:	£51,883 - £58,544 per annum inclusive of HCAS (pro-rata if LTFT)
Hours:	Part time
Closing date:	14 February 2025
Location:	London, N18 1QX
Company:	North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust
Job type:	Contract
Job reference:	6911408/393-NMUH-2079

Summary

The post holder is expected to run Slit-Lamp clinics at eight different North Central London DESP locations according to the rota.

The post holder must be a qualified Optometrist.

The post holder should be competent in and aware of National Grading standards set by English DESP, and are aware about diabetic related eye disease and be able to detect such pathology on slit lamp.

If the post holder is not an optometrist, they must have extensive knowledge in identifying diabetic and non-diabetic eye conditions and disease. They should also have extensive knowledge and experience in referral Outcome grading (ROG) within a DESP programme and have the technical ability to learn SLB examination.

The programme is multi-centred, the post holder will support programme in various settings, therefore travel to run clinic at eight different locations will be involved.
• To run the Slit – Lamp Biomicroscopy clinics at different sites for the programme.
• Independently analyse retinal images presenting with a complex variety of “normal” appearances.
• Participate in the delivery of the training for the clinical service for the Retinal Screening Service in line with National Screening Committee Guidelines.
• Grade to full disease classification level to NSC and local grading guidelines, including referral outcome grading. Ensure timely referral of those images requiring referral to the hospital eye service and take the lead in internal quality assurance as per NSC guidelines.
• Explain the results of screening and intended therapy to patients and educate and advise them with regards to modifying damaging lifestyles.

North Mid is part of North Central London integrated care system – consisting of the NHS and Local authority organisations in Camden, Islington, Barnet, Enfield and Haringey. As with other ICS’s, we are working increasingly closely with partners and indeed many of our financial and performance objectives are measured at this system level. Whilst all organisations remain as standalone, statutory bodies we have an ICS infrastructure for making shared decisions and agreeing shared approaches.

We are proud of our staff and want to ensure their training allows them to provide excellent clinical care. We are also a training unit for medical students from UCL and St George’s University Grenada, and for nursing and midwifery students from Middlesex and City Universities.

Take a tour of our hospitalhere
Duties and Responsibilities:

Clinical and Technical
• To run the Slit – Lamp Biomicroscopy clinics at different sites for the programme.
• Independently analyse retinal images presenting with a complex variety of “normal” appearances.
• Participate in the delivery of the training for the clinical service for the Retinal Screening Service in line with National Screening Committee Guidelines.
• Grade to full disease classification level to NSC and local grading guidelines, including referral outcome grading. Ensure timely referral of those images requiring referral to the hospital eye service and take the lead in internal quality assurance as per NSC guidelines.
• Explain the results of screening and intended therapy to patients and educate and advise them with regards to modifying damaging lifestyles.
• To participate in internal and external quality assurance within the DESP programme.

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
• Demonstration of a high level of accountability for professional actions and decision-making.
• To take part in regular performance appraisal.
• To undertake any training required to maintain competency including mandatory training.
• To contribute to and work within a safe environment.
• Work as a trustworthy and co-operative member of NMH Diabetic Eye Screening Programme and make a positive contribution to the team.
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge and work within agreed policies, protocols and procedures. Recognise and report where they are inadequate or unclear.
• To help with identifying areas for improvement of policies, procedures
• At all times promote the safety, privacy, and dignity of patients. Recognise individual needs and preserve confidentiality at all times
• Follow infection control procedures.
• Ensure that standards of patient care meet National DESP Quality Assurance Standards, including those for the administration of eye drops, grading and referral.
• Participate in improvement projects when and as identified by Screening manager and Clinical Lead.
• To undertake monthly TAT exercise and keep up to date with Competency in Professional Development.



PHYSICAL SKILLS
• To have the necessary hand-eye co-ordination and sensory skills for the use of a non-mydriatic retinal camera or Slit-Lamp to obtain images consistent with National Screening Committee quality standards.
• To have excellent visual acuity and colour vision are essential
• Occasional moderate effort in positioning patients at camera unit.
• Occasional intense physical effort when transporting camera units.

COMMUNICATION
• Communicate effectively and in such a way as to promote a positive image of the NHS NCL Diabetic Eye Screening Programme.
• Function as an effective member of the multi-disciplinary DESP, developing and maintaining good working relationships and effective communication with all Acute and Primary Care Trust clinical and non-clinical colleagues.
• To work collaboratively with the Screening Manager and Lead Clinician to ensure that high quality clinical services are being offered by NMUH Diabetic Screening Service.
• The ability to communicate effectively with patients, sometimes in difficult circumstances, about diabetic eye disease and the associated risk factors of diabetes generally. The ability to convey unwelcome news regarding visual impairment on occasions is required.
• Managing patients’ emotions over their anxiety of their condition.
• Patients will range from those with learning difficulties and dementia to those who are highly informed of their medical condition, from young persons in their early teens to patients in late old age, from those who are highly articulate to those who have little ability to conduct a conversation in English. All patients must be dealt with in the same professional manner.

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
• Attend all mandatory training to achieve and/ or maintain knowledge, skills or competencies.
• Maintain a record of personal development. Participate in staff appraisal and ensure that set objectives are achieved.
• Develop and maintain professional links with colleagues at all levels in both the primary and secondary care setting.
• To attend MDTM whenever possible.
• To participate in review meetings with Clinical Lead.
• To support the Programme Manager and the Screening Manager with training of members of the DESP team when needed.

Leadership
• Cover for screening manager in their absence, if and when needed.


This advert closes on Monday 27 Jan 2025