Optometrist, Clinical

Purpose of the Post

The Clinical Optometrist will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team delivering a coordinated approach to client care within the Community Ophthalmic Service. The primary aim of the Primary Care Eye Services is to promote good ophthalmic health and quality of life for all categories of patients who attend the eye clinic. Patients are referred to the Community Ophthalmology Service by Public Health Nurses, School Nurses, Community Medical Doctors, General Practitioners, Ophthalmologists, Paediatricians, Optometrists and Disability Services. The Optometrists therefore have a vital role to play in providing a comprehensive and high-quality eye care service to patients in conjunction with other members of the multi-disciplinary team. The Clinical Optometrist will provide paediatric eye care. The post holder will be responsible for refractions and ocular examination of patients detecting ophthalmic pathology in patients referred to the ophthalmology service and to direct such patients for appropriate treatment.

The Sligo Leitrim Primary Care Ophthalmology Service is in Sligo town and the person appointed to the post may be expected to work across the IHA. The Clinical Optometrist will be expected to participate in the implementation of the National Primary Care Eye Services Review Group Report published in 2017.

Reporting Relationship

The post holder will:

- Report clinically/professionally to the Consultant Ophthalmologist, or delegated officer where appropriate.

- Report operationally to the Business Manager, Community Ophthalmic Department.

Details of Service

The newly established HSE West & North West Health Region will manage and deliver all public health and social care services for Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Galway and Mayo. The redesign of services will allow new pathways to be developed between acute and community services, primary care, health and wellbeing, and voluntary sectors to create more integrated, person-centred care. HSE West and North West include all the region's community healthcare, hospitals, primary care, and public health services. The Optometrist, Clinical will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team delivering a coordinated approach to client care within the Community Ophthalmology Service in Sligo, Leitrim, West Cavan & South Donegal IHA and Donegal IHA.

Informal Enquiries

Des Kavanagh, Business Manager, Community Ophthalmic Service

Email: des.kavanagh@hse.ie