Orthoptist

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust; Shoreham-by-Sea; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Sussex is seeking an enthusiastic Orthoptist to join their team. The role involves working with a diverse caseload of paediatric and adult patients, providing assessments and management plans. The successful candidate will benefit from a supportive environment with opportunities for professional development and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Flexible working

Wellbeing Programme

Support for personal development

Qualifications

• Experience of paediatric and adult Orthoptics.
• Knowledge/experience of department audit.

Responsibilities

• Provide orthoptic assessment, diagnosis, and management of patients.
• Communicate effectively with patients and maintain records.
• Participate in teaching and educational activities.

Skills

Organisational Skills

Teaching

Education

Diploma or Degree in Orthoptics

HCPC Registered

Teaching qualification

Job description

View all our vacancies across our hospitals in Sussex. Search, find and apply for a job with us today.

Main area Orthoptics Grade Band 5 Contract Permanent Hours

• Full time
• Part time
• Flexible working

37.5 hours per week (Part time considered) Job ref 279-7162493-MAY25

Employer 279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Southlands Eye Clinic, Southlands Hospital Town Shoreham-By-Sea Salary starting £28,407or £42,618 Dependant on experience. Closing 25/05/2025 23:59

About our Trust

At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute Trusts , we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to always put our Patient First . In fact our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Job overview

We are seeking an enthusiastic Orthoptist to join our friendly team at a split site department with 8 orthoptists, 10 ophthalmologists, optometrists, nursing staff and technicians based at the recently built Eye Centre at Southlands Hospital which is part of University Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust, with opportunity to work at some clinics at St Richards in Chichester.

The post is full time, but part time hours would be considered as well as flexible hours such as a 9 day fortnight.

As this is a Band 5 - 6 post we welcome applications from experienced (to start as B6) and soon to be newly qualified Orthoptists (B5).

New Orthoptists will be supported by an experienced team and taken through the BIOS preceptorship pathway and will be eligible to join the Trust Allied Health Professions(AHP)preceptorship programme. This programmesupportsAHPs over the course of the first year of employment,providinga model for learning, self-development and reflective practice through regular multi-disciplinary learning opportunities and peer support.

We have close links with St Richards Hospital in Chichester, being part of the same trust and have links with Brighton. We meet across sites with St Richards for monthly journal clubs and CPD opportunities.

Southlands Hospital is on the coast offering easy access to sailing and water activities for those interested. It is also easy to get to the South Downs for walking and cycling. London and Brighton are short train/bus journeys away.

Main duties of the job

The caseload is varied and provides an interesting mix of paediatric and adult patients. The Orthoptic service receives referrals from GPs, school nurses and health visitors as well as stroke, MFU, neurology, paediatrics / CDC and the main eye clinic.

As well as consolidating general Orthoptic practice there are opportunities to train in extended roles such as glaucoma, using the OPT framework.

We are fortunate to have one dedicated session per week where you will participate in the educational activities and meetings run by Orthoptists and wider eye clinic team. This includes regular clinical departmental teaching and teaching of other health care professionals, medical undergraduates and junior doctors. We are also an accredited site for Orthoptic students.

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Communication

• To communicate effectively with patients, parents and carers, and those with learning difficulties and non-English speaking, gaining informed consent for treatment plans. This may include the communication of highly sensitive information and advice on distressing conditions.
• To keep and maintain appropriate patient records.
• To discuss management options with the Ophthalmologist and other members of the department as required in a professional manner.
• To utilise other means of communication such as Microsoft Teams meetings, telephone or video consultations as appropriate.
• Communicate results of consultations to GPs and other referrers as necessary.
• Support verbal communication by providing written educational material to patients, carers and healthcare professionals to ensure understanding of complex issues.
• Utilise the interpreting service for patients with language barrier.
• Attend departmental meetings for the Orthoptic and Ophthalmology department, communicating effectively and developing positive working relationships with other team members.

Service Delivery and Improvement

• To be aware of and follow departmental policies and protocols, giving comments regarding these if needed.
• Keep and maintain appropriate records (electronic and paper) at all times ensuring that all paperwork is filed promptly into case-notes or uploaded.
• To assist in the collection of and recording outcomes of patients to support service development and clinical audit.
• To assist with the updating and development of departmental patient information as necessary and give these to patients and their carers to assist understanding

People Management and Development

• To be involved with teaching optometry and orthoptic students, junior doctors, nurses and health visitors as required.
• To partake in appraisal as an appraisee

Patient Care Delivery

• To work as an autonomous practitioner in providing orthoptic assessment, diagnosis and management of patients of all ages, ranging from pre-term babies to the elderly. This includes those referred from various specialities including Ophthalmology, paediatrics, A&E, Maxillo Facial, Neurology, Stroke, Endocrinology. To liaise with a more senior Orthoptist regarding any problems.
• To be able to assess all cases of ocular motility defects and amblyopia, complex congenital and acquired cases, including neurological abnormalities, genetic disorders and associated ocular abnormalities.
• To be responsible for assessing, planning, implementing and monitoring individual Orthoptic treatment plans/care pathways using clinical reasoning and evidence based practice. Support and advice from the more senior Orthoptists will be available.
• To instil pupil dilating drops for diagnosis and treatment of vision problems where required.
• To undertake pre and post-operative measurements and discuss surgical options with the Ophthalmologist. Advise on timing of surgery and identify post-operative risk and discuss with surgeon, carer and patient.
• To make timely onward referral to other clinical members of the Ophthalmology Department and beyond as appropriate, e.g.: neuro-ophthalmology, sight care support team.
• To communicate sensitive issues to patients including diagnosis and prognosis and provide a counselling and support role to patient, relative or carer.
• To tailor the delivery of care to the personal needs of individual patients and be able to adapt emotional, mental and physical responses appropriately.
• To participate in secondary vision screening and identify those children requiring referral to the optometrist or ophthalmologist.
• To demonstrate considerable manual dexterity and speed in a variety of clinical procedures to ensure accurate results.
• To accurately assess spectacle prescriptions using automated focimetry.
• To carry out auto-refraction and interpret the results.
• To perform Humphrey automated perimetry and interpret the results as required.
• Observe safe working practices and equipment procedures, complying with legislative requirements under H&S regulations.
• Respect patient and staff confidentiality at all times.
• Manage an unpredictable workload dependant due to changing demands and interruptions.
• Keep work up-to-date within departmental set standards, notifying the line manager immediately if this becomes problematic.
• To work as an autonomous practitioner with extensive freedom to act, carrying full responsibility for patient care and outcomes. Working with support from the Orthoptic team where required or requested

Learning and Development

• Attend mandatory training updates as required.
• Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with the line manager as part of the personal development process.
• Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales.
• Identify own learning needs and jointly plan training requirements with your line manager
• Participate in the Trust’s appraisal process to discuss how your role will help deliver the best possible care to our patients and help to deliver any changes in service

This job description is an outline of the role and responsibilities. From time to time due to the needs of the service, we may ask you to flexibly undertake other duties that are consistent with your role and banding, including project work, internal job rotation and absence cover.

The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the department and the organisation.

Person specification

Professional Registration and qualification

• Diploma or Degree in Orthoptics
• HCPC Registered
• Teaching qualification

Experience

• Experience of paediatric Orthoptics and adult Orthoptics
• To have knowledge/experience of department audit

Skills

• Evidence of good organisational skills. Able to plan and manage own workload effectively.
• To understand and recognise own limitation of knowledge and ability and ask for help when required.
• To be willing to participate in teaching of Orthoptics to students and other professionals
• To have had experience in teaching Orthoptics to students and other professionals

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

Important information for applicants:

Please note, the use of AI generated applications will be closely monitored. It is at the managers discretion to reject your application if they feel the majority has been created through the use of AI tools.

Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.

Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.

Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.

DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check . We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.

UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications

Further Information

For help with the application process for Nursing vacancies, please email [e-mail].

For help with the application process for Non-Nursing vacancies, please email [e-mail].

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

This advert has been capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, it will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in this post to prevent you from missing out on applying for this opportunity.

Name Dianne Plummer Job title Head Orthoptist Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 01273 446077 Additional information

[e-mail], available Monday to Thursday, alternatively contact: Sharon McCoubrey (deputy Orthoptist) [e-mail]