ECLO Induction Programme

The following suggestions for an induction programme are based on past ECLO experience and can be adapted according to hours worked or where the ECLO is based (some will cover more than one site or will work part time hours).

The first list is the most important for the ECLO to complete in terms of shadowing other professionals, to better understand their role and to ensure easier integration into an eye clinic team.

The second list is advisable and should be followed if at all possible.

Please note - the ECLO must have an Honorary Trust contract / Service Level Agreement / Memo of Understanding for their post. This will lay out the terms for the employment of a non-NHS staff member working on NHS/Trust premises. It will give cover legal aspects of the post such as confidentiality, data sharing, adherence to Trust policies and procedures and should give legal access to the hospital computer systems and medical records.

All new employees will need to complete mandatory training provided by their Trust. This may include a Trust Induction day, Fire Safety, Manual Handling, IT training sessions, Infection Control, Data Protection and Major Incident Planning etc. This training may vary from Trust to Trust.

Training

All ECLOs should attend the 4 day Eye Clinic Support Studies Course, accredited with City University London. Please contact the Eye Clinic Impact Team on 0121 665 4242 for further information.

Information about the course, as well as Early Intervention Staff seminars and networks is available here;

The Seminar for Early Intervention Support Staff working within eye clinic settings is held 3 times a year and provides peer support, Continuing Professional Development, Peer Review and other relevant updates. It also provides the opportunity for ECLOs to share good practice and to network nationally. See the weblink abovefor dates and further information.

It is suggested that ECLOs should also attend RNIB's 'Emotional Support Skills Course’. Please see Appendix 1forfurther information about training available.

Resources

The Early Intervention Support Network (EISN)

EISN is an online community of staff working within eye clinic settings, providing front line services to newly-diagnosed blind and partially sighted people, including those diagnosed with a sight threatening condition. The aim of the network is to offer opportunities for peer support, development, problem solving, sharing ideas, experiences and resources relevant to supporting and advising blind and partially sighted people at the point of diagnosis.

It is strongly advised that all ECLOs join this network. More information is available at or email

Eye Care Professionals UK (Linked In Group)

The aim of the 'Eye Care Professionals UK' group is to bring together

Professionals working in or with an interest in eye health to share

resources, discuss issues and ideas and seek advice. This includes

ophthalmologists, optometrists, ophthalmic nurses, GPs, eye clinic

staff, public health specialists and more.

If you would like to join this professional Linked In group, visit:

NB Online

NB Online is the specialist area of the RNIB website which offers you the latest news, views and developments for eye health and sight loss professionals. You can subscribe and receive our regular free e-alert and we'll tell you when we update our content online so you don't miss out.

Sign up now at:

RNIB Eye clinic staff web pages

The Eye Clinic Staff pagesof the RNIB website contains information and advice for eye clinic staff working within eye clinic settings, providing front line services to newly-diagnosed blind and partially sighted people. This includes information about the role of the ECLO, the latest training opportunities, quality standards and guidance.

Shadowing – necessary roles to shadow;

  • Consultant Ophthalmologist in clinic - suggest a macular clinic or glaucoma clinic for half day
  • Optometrist in clinic - half a day
  • Orthoptist in clinic - half a day
  • Fields technician - suggest one hour
  • Eye Clinic Nurse manager
  • Rehabilitation officer (home assessment visit)
  • Vision assessment

Suggested secondary shadowing opportunities

Independent Living Coordinator (if available)

Ophthalmic Nurse

Reception staff/medical secretaries / medical records

Audiology clinic

Stroke Unit/Ward

Falls clinic or service

Prosthetic eye service

Diabetes clinic

Surgical observation in theatre

Lucentis clinic

Observation of biometry /flourescein angiography/photography

Important contacts to be developed by ECLO

  • Local holder of the SSI and SI register
  • Local Sight Loss voluntary agencies / Societies for the Blind / Visually impaired
  • DWP local home visiting officer
  • Local welfare benefits advice service
  • Specialist link nurses in clinic - e.g. AMD and glaucoma
  • Audiology Dept
  • Hospital and community based Social Work Teams
  • Diabetes Clinic Lead Nurse
  • Stroke Unit
  • Falls Service
  • Local Employment Services / Jobcentre Plus (Access to Work)
  • Children’s Sensory Support Services / Local VI Education Team
  • Local Rehabilitation team
  • Local support groups - e.g. AMD, glaucoma, stroke, etc
  • Local counselling services
  • Local authority Housing Offices/Dept
  • Local Carers support services

Attendance/input suggested at the following Trust meetings:

  • Clinical governance/audit meetings - usually monthly. To provide an opportunity for the ECLO to promote the role, provide training sessions for staff and promote integration into the eye clinic team
  • Service Review Meetings - usually monthly, varies from Trust to Trust. Opportunity to gain knowledge of departmental plans etc and to inform the directorate of developmental plans for the ECLO service
  • Disability groups within the Trust - these usually include service users and are an opportunity to get user feedback and promote the ECLO service
  • Falls Project Groups - to raise the issue of visual impairment as a cause of falls
  • Rehabilitation team meetings - suggest every other meeting to retain and build a working relationship

This suggested induction is an outline for Managers to adapt to their specific ECLOs needs, hours worked and locations.

(The end sheet to this induction pack is a suggested means of tracking ECLO shadowing and observations.)

Eye Clinic Impact Team

RNIB

58-72 John Bright St

BIRMINGHAM

B1 1BN

0121 665 4242

Last updated March 2015

Additional Notes

ECLO Induction Programme

Title / Date / Time spent
Ophthalmologist
Optometrist
Orthoptist
Nurse Manager (clinic)
Rehabilitation Officer
Fields Technician
Medical secretaries
Reception staff
Medical Records
Audiology clinic
Stroke Unit/Ward
Falls clinic
Prosthetic Eye Fitter
Diabetes clinic
Biometry
Flourescein/photography
Theatre observation
Lucentis clinic
  • Blanks left for adding individual ECLOs to add additional visits

Appendix 1

ECLO / Sight Loss Advisor / VSS services

Training and support

Eye Clinic Support Studies Course / Delivered by RNIB.
Accredited by City University.
4 days face to face training.
Written assignment.
MCQ exam.
Safeguarding / POVA training
Data Protection Training / Employing organisation
Emotional support skills training / RNIB
NHS Mandatory training / E.g. Trust Induction day, Fire Safety, Manual Handling, IT / Data Protection, Infection Control etc. This training may vary from Trust to Trust.
ECLO Seminars & Continuing professional development / 3 x per year, CPD sessions delivered by Ophthalmologists / relevant experts.
Peer review.
Membership of relevant professional networks / e.g. Early Intervention Support Network (RNIB)
Support of own health and well being / Access to;
  • Clinical supervision
  • Resilience training
  • Structured buddy or peer support scheme
  • Emotional support service

Suggested shadowing for ECLO’s new in post (see ECLO Induction pack for more details and shadowing suggestions.) / 1 Consultant Ophthalmologist in clinic - suggest a macular clinic or glaucoma
2Optometrist in clinic
3Orthoptist in clinic
4Fields technician
5Eye Clinic Nurse manager
6Rehabilitation officer (home assessment visit)
Membership of RCN (optional) / ECLO’s are recognised by the Royal College of Nursing as Allied Health Professionals.

Other training may include that provided by own employing area / organisation.

‘Understanding Sight Loss’ is offered to all RNIB / Action employees.

Other training offered by areas

RNIB Cymru –

  • Stroke/dementia awareness; introduction to hearing loss / Guide Dogs; service updates .

RNIB Scotland

  • Every Day word documents
  • Deaf awareness
  • Mental health first aid
  • Suicide prevention
  • Safeguard training
  • Health and safety – lone working/risk assessments
  • CPD events 4 x per year.

Last updated - March 2015

rnib.org.uk