Orthoptist

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust; England; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the UK seeks a qualified orthoptist to join a dedicated team at Kent and Canterbury Hospital. This role offers diverse clinical exposure, including paediatric and neuro-ophthalmology cases, and involvement in education for trainees. Candidates should possess a degree in Orthoptics and HCPC registration.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in Orthoptics required.
• Registered with HCPC essential.
• Experience with complex Orthoptic patients is important.

Responsibilities

• Manage a varied case load including paediatric and neuro-ophthalmology cases.
• Participate in clinical teaching for students and junior doctors.
• Work within a multi-disciplinary team.

Skills

Decision making

Problem solving

Analytical skills

Education

Degree or equivalent in Orthoptics

Registered with HCPC

Job description

Job Summary

We are looking for a highly motivated orthoptist keen to be part of a team of 11 Orthoptists (9.6wte), along with Consultant Ophthalmologists, optometrists, clinical nurse specialists and ophthalmic technicians.

A degree/diploma in Orthoptics and registration with the HCPC is essential (or working towards/return to practice). Newly qualified orthoptists would be considered at a band 5 see Band 5 Job Description .

Main duties of the job

The post provides a varied and challenging case load including paediatric ophthalmology specialist clinics, ocular motility and botulinum toxin clinics, neuro-ophthalmology, stroke and trauma patients. We are an accredited department for orthoptic undergraduates on placement and as a teaching hospital we are involved in the clinical teaching of medical students, junior doctors and pre-registration optometrists. The successful candidate will be required to work as part of an enthusiastic multi-disciplinary team.

About Us

We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with fivehospitals and community clinics serving a local population of around 800,000 people. Our vision is 'great healthcare from great people'. Everything we do is guided by our values: 'People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference'. We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called 'We care'. It's about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day-to-day. We're looking for compassionate people to be part of our improvement journey for the patients, families and carers we care for every day.

Please note that if you require a Certificate of Sponsorship to work in the UK you must declare this on your application form, even if you currently have a certificate of sponsorship or a work permit for another role and are already working in the country. Please note we are only able to sponsor candidates on a Skilled Worker Visa applying for roles Band 5 and above.

Details

Date posted

20 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year per annum Newly Qualified will start on Band 5

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

344-8447SAC-C

Job locations

Kent and Canterbury Hospital

Ethelbert Road

Canterbury

CT1 3NG

Job Description

Job responsibilities

Please scroll down to access the full Job Description and Person Specification located in Documents to download.

If you have further queries please dont hesitate to contact the line manager using the contact details below.

Job Description

Job responsibilities

Please scroll down to access the full Job Description and Person Specification located in Documents to download.

If you have further queries please dont hesitate to contact the line manager using the contact details below.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree or equivalent in Orthoptics
• Registered with HCPC
• BIOS membership or separate Medical and Professional Liability Insurance
  
  

Desirable

• Evidence of ongoing profession development
  
  

Essential

Clinical Skills & Experience

• Experience assessing a broad range of Orthoptic patients including complex patients
• Identifies the need for and seeks senior support as required.
• Decision making and problem solving capability in complex or highly conflicting situations
• Ability to analyse & interpret clinical findings in order to plan and deliver the best treatment possible
• Ability to maintain accurate & comprehensive treatment notes for each patient
• Knowledge of up to date clinical/evidenced based practice
• Basic IT knowledge
  
  

Desirable

• Post graduate experience working as an orthoptist
• Attendance of BIOS Clinical Tutors course
  
  

Governance

Essential

• Upholds and models the trust Values
• Knowledge of clinical governance and its importance in clinical practice
  
  

Desirable

• Experience undertaking audits
• Experience undertaking research
  
  

Personal & Professional Attributes

Essential

• Ability to work in busy environment
• Excellent organisation & planning skills.
• Highly developed verbal & nonverbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively both in a team & autonomously.
  
  

Essential

Other Requirements

• Ability to travel independently to all main sites in a timely manner
  
  

Desirable

• Car Driver
  
  

Person Specification

Essential

• Ability to travel independently to all main sites in a timely manner
  
  

Desirable

• Car Driver
  
  

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Kent and Canterbury Hospital

Ethelbert Road

Canterbury

CT1 3NG

Employer's website

https://www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Kent and Canterbury Hospital

Ethelbert Road

Canterbury

CT1 3NG

Employer's website

https://www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/ (Opens in a new tab)