Orthoptic Administrative Team Leader
Job summary
The post holder will be responsible for the day-to-day supervision of the Orthoptic administrative team and provide clerical support to the Orthoptic Department within the Ophthalmology Directorate. The role is integral to the smooth operation of the service and includes, but is not limited to, the following duties:
To manage the Orthoptic Administrative Team in all aspects of service delivery, ensuring efficient administrative support, effective staff management, compliance with organisational policies, and the smooth day-to-day operation of orthoptic services."
To be responsible for organisation and scheduling of orthoptic clinics delivered by ELHT across Lancashire using the Cerner and EMIS systems.
- To act as the Fail Safe Officer for Paediatric Ophthalmology and Orthoptic Services, monitoring patient pathways and ensuring timely follow-up and escalation where required.
Main duties of the job
o To manage the Orthoptic Administrative Team in all aspects of service delivery, ensuring efficient administrative support, effective staff management, compliance with organisational policies, and the smooth day-to-day operation of orthoptic services."
To be responsible for organisation and scheduling of orthoptic clinics delivered by ELHT across Lancashire using the Cerner and EMIS systems.
- To act as the Fail Safe Officer for Paediatric Ophthalmology and Orthoptic Services, monitoring patient pathways and ensuring timely follow-up and escalation where required.
About us
Working for our organisation offers the opportunity to contribute to the delivery of high-quality, patient-centred care within a supportive and collaborative environment. We are committed to providing safe, effective, and compassionate services while investing in our workforce through learning, development, and wellbeing initiatives.
This role will play a key part in supporting the Orthoptic and Paediatric Ophthalmology service by providing strong administrative leadership, improving operational efficiency, and enabling clinicians to focus on delivering excellent patient care. The post holder will work closely with Orthoptists, Optometrists and the wider Ophthalmology multidisciplinary teams to support service improvement, enhance patient experience, and contribute to the achievement of the Trust's strategic objectives.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To organise and maintain clinic appointments for Paediatric Consultant, Orthoptic, Refraction, and LVA services, facilitating smooth clinic operations and patient care.
- To set up clinics on Cerner using the Booking App and system support, ensuring accurate configuration and timely availability for scheduling.
- To manage clinic scheduling using Cerner and Emis including setting up and cancelling clinics, submitting new referrals to the booking centre, and identifying referrals not yet recorded in the system.
- To coordinate the cancellation and rebooking of patient appointments, communicating changes via telephone, letter, or text message as appropriate.
- To coordinate the cancellation and rescheduling of Orthoptic clinics as authorised by the Head and Deputy Head of Service.
- To respond to telephone enquiries and manage messages received via the answering system.
- To act as the central point of contact for all community and selected hospital new referrals, monitoring the central email inbox, registering patient details on the appointment system, and scheduling appropriate clinic appointments. To liaise with orthoptists regarding referrals requiring urgent attention.
- To prepare for clinics by retrieving relevant notes, referrals, and supporting documentation, using the Choose and Book system to locate new referrals not yet recorded on Cerner
- To maintain and utilise electronic databases to accurately record, retrieve, and manage service-related data.
- To assist the Head and Deputy Head in coordinating the Orthoptic rota, ensuring adequate cover for clinics and screening sessions.
- Provide high quality PA assistance to the management team including responsible administrative support in their absence, using their own initiative.
- To take accurate minutes at staff meetings and communicate key outcomes and actions to the administrative team
- To attend and contribute to BUG meetings for health centres where Orthoptic clinics are held, supporting effective service delivery and collaboration.
- To manage the booking of community rooms via the TAP system in line with operational needs.
- To liaise with Health Centre managers regarding room availability and Orthoptic service requirements.
- To be responsible for training new administrative staff on IT systems orthoptic workflows and relevant SOPs.
- To undertake annual appraisal reviews for Band 3 staff, supporting performance development and objective setting.
- To input outcomes from all clinics on the electronic system.
- To process and send FTA letters, adhering to Orthoptic departmental policies and guidelines.
- To handle general enquiries and relay messages, liaising effectively with Orthoptists, nursing and medical staff, clerical officers, patients, and their relatives or carers.
- To assist Orthoptic Screening Assistants with booking secondary appointments and managing any associated administrative tasks.
- Monitor stationery requirements, ordering supplies as required to maintain efficiency within the service.
- Order Orthoptic supplies
- Order specialist contact lenses and liaise with contact lens suppliers as necessary.
- Order Low Visual Aids for both the paediatric LVA and community service.
- To receive and distribute internal and external post in a timely and organised manner.
- To provide cross-cover for the administration team during periods of sickness or annual leave, ensuring continuity of service
Person Specification
Essential and Desirable
- Numerate and literate to GCSE level or equivalent including English and Maths
- NVQ level 3 or equivalent in business or administration skills.
- RSA or OCR Typing, AMSPAR level 3.
- Experience of health and community services
Knowledge
- Literate in IT/Computer Skills
- Good oral communication skills
- Demonstrate excellent time management skills with an ability to plan and prioritise own workload
- Ability to learn new skills and follow clinical guidelines/policies
Other
- Current driving licence
Experience
- Experience of office work to include planning meetings, organising outlook diaries, setting up and using Excel databases, communicating to multiple parties via email and paper letters
- Competent in the use of Microsoft office
- Knowledge and understanding of professional and ethical issues
- Experience of primary and health community services
- EMIS and Cerner experience
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details
Employer name
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
Address
St Peters Centre
Burnley
BB11 2DL
United Kingdom
Employer's website
http://jobs.elht.nhs.uk/