Orthoptist

Dorset County Hospital Nhs Foundation Trust; Southmoor; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

The Royal Eye Infirmary at Dorset County Hospital invites an experienced Band 5 Orthoptist for a fixed-term post. You will travel between hospital and community clinics to deliver core Orthoptic services and occasional paediatric/ocular motility clinics with extended roles in stroke rehab.

Essential qualifications include a Orthoptic degree/diploma and HCPC registration; a car driver is preferred for community travel.

Qualifications

• Orthoptic degree or diploma required.
• HCPC registration essential.
• CPD evidenced.

Responsibilities

• Plan and prioritise own workload.
• Work within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Provide Orthoptic assessment, diagnosis and management for patients of all ages.
• Support Ophthalmology services as required.
• Cover for colleagues during sickness/leave.

Skills

Autonomous practitioner

Clinical reasoning

Teamwork

Communication skills

Education

Orthoptic degree/diploma

HCPC registration

CPD

Job description

Job summary

The Royal Eye Infirmary at Dorset County Hospital is looking to recruit an experienced and highly motivated Band 5 Orthoptist to join our friendly department. This is a fixed term post. The department is based at Dorset County Hospital, but we run single handed clinics in the community.

A diploma/degree in Orthoptics and HCPC registration is essential. The post holder will be expected to travel between the hospital site and various locations in the community to carry out peripheral clinics; therefore, a car driver is preferable.

The department currently runs paediatric and ocular motility clinics. Currently, orthoptists in our department have extended roles in stroke. We are also a placement site for Orthoptic students. Staff regularly participate in department audit, clinical governance and clinical teaching sessions. The post-holder will be supported by the Head Orthoptist.

Right to Work in the UK

This role is not available for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, we are unable to support visa applications for this post in line with UKVI regulations.

Main duties of the job

• To assist in the provision of the Orthoptist services as an autonomous practitioner,


• Expected to work clinically to deliver a range of core Orthoptic services


• To provide Orthoptic assessment, diagnosis and management of patients of all ages and abilities, planning, implementing, and monitoring individual Orthoptic treatment plans/care pathways using clinical reasoning and evidence based practice.


• To support the Ophthalmology service as required.

About us

At DCHFT, we pride ourselves on the care we provide for our patients, and on the culture, we are creating for our staff. We work hard to create a fair, inclusive environment for our staff.

Our Mission is to provide outstanding care for people in ways which matter to them, and our vision is Dorset County Hospital, working with our health and social care partners, will be at the heart of improving the well-being of our communities.

We are a Trust that celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from people in all under-represented groups.

We understand that AI can be a useful tool when completing your application. However, we are seeing an increasing over-reliance of AI tools, which can negatively affect your application as it reduces a candidate's individuality, and makes it difficult for us to gain a clear and authentic understanding of your experience, skills, and in turn your suitability for the role.

All submissions must be truthful and if you do use AI, it should only be used to enhance your application and not create your supporting statement in its entirety. Your supporting statement should be in your own words and must accurately reflect your personal experience and achievements. Where we have concerns that AI has been used to generate content that misrepresents your experience and suitability for the role, we may withdraw your application.

Details

Date posted: 28 September 2026

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 5

Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year Per Annum

Contract: Fixed term

Duration: 9 months

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 405-26-AHP483O

Job locations: Dorset County Hospital, Williams Avenue, Dorchester, DT1 2JY, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

• You will need to plan and prioritise your own workload


• Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team of Ophthalmologists, Orthotists, Optometrists, Ophthalmic technicians, nurses, clerical staff and secretarial staff.


• Undertake correspondence with GPs and other colleagues.


• Deal with queries regarding appointments, internal referrals etc, that arise during the working day and to liaise with the senior Orthoptists to take the appropriate action.


• Check clinical area is safe for patients and staff and report any hazards to the manager in a timely manner.


• Participate in regular Orthoptic departmental meetings giving feedback from courses and conferences attended.


• To participate departmental audit and research where possible.


• To cover, as appropriate, for colleagues during periods of sick and annual leave.


• To report damage or functioning problems with equipment to manager in a timely manner.

Person Specification

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING

Essential

• To possess an Orthoptic degree or diploma


• Evidence of CPD


• Registration with HCPC

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Experience of paediatric Orthoptics and experience assessing and managing children with additional needs


• Adult orthoptics: be able to investigate diagnose and manage a range of ocular motility disorders


• Experience assessing and managing complex neurological conditions


• Experience of diagnosing patients with complex conditions


• Experience of working in a team and single handed


• Experience of teaching other healthcare professionals


• Experience of departmental audits (review of banding)
  

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Essential

• Evidence of ability to maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, patients and visitors.


• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.


• Effective time management skills and the ability to prioritise tasks.


• Ability to work autonomously and within a team.

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.

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: Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Dorset County Hospital, Williams Avenue, Dorchester, DT1 2JY, United Kingdom

Employer's website: Apply through our website

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact: Lead Orthoptist, Louise Matthews, [e-mail], 01305251150

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.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.