Orthoptist | Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Oxford; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a motivated Band 5 Orthoptist for a 12-month maternity cover. The role offers development opportunities within a supportive NHS team, with responsibilities spanning autonomous orthoptic assessments, paediatric and adult care, and collaboration with ophthalmologists, optometrists, and other professionals.

We welcome newly qualified orthoptists and early-career professionals to apply, with opportunities to develop skills in craniofacial,

Responsibilities

• Be responsible as an autonomous practitioner for the comprehensive orthoptic assessment, diagnosis and appropriate management of new and follow-up patients.
• Evaluate visual acuity and visual behaviour in referrals from the specialist services, particularly strabismus and paediatric referrals.
• Plan, implement and monitor orthoptic treatment for patients of all ages using clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice, gaining appropriate consent and for follow-up where needed.
• Work with interpreters, relatives and support workers to ensure patient understanding.
• Fully communicate results of assessment, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment plans to patients, parents or guardians.
• Discuss results of assessments and management plans with medical colleagues for integrated patient care.
• Maintain documentation of patient records in line with Trust policies.
• Participate in administrative duties, audits, and Continuing Professional Development.
• There may be opportunities to work independently within the community setting.

Skills

Autonomous practitioner

Ophthalmic assessment

Paediatric care

Team collaboration

Job description

Orthoptist | Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Company:

Company: Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

This post is for a band 5 maternity leave cover for 12 months.

We are seeking a motivated and enthausiaic Band 5 Orthoptist to join our friendly and supportive team . This is an excellent opportunity for a newly qualified or early career orthoptist to develop clinical skills within a dynamic NHS setting.

You will undertake assessment, diagnosis and management of patients with a wide range of ocular motility disorders, including strabismus, amblyopia and neuro-ophthalmic conditions. You will work alongside an experienced team with opportunities to develop skills within specialist services including, craniofacial, Stroke, neurorehabilitation and SEND.

Independently assess, diagnose and manage patients within core orthoptic clinics.

Deliver high quality care for both paediatric and adult patients

work collaboratively with Ophthalmologists, optometrists, Ophthalmic technicians and other multidisciplinary teams.

Maintain accurate patient records in line with professional standards

Contribute to service improvement and clinical audit.

There will be the opportunity to work independently within the community setting.

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trustis one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community.

We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence, and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence.

These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via theOUH YouTube channel.

In 2023NHS England launched its first sexual safety charter, and our Trust proudly signed it. We pledge zero tolerance for inappropriate sexual behaviour and commit to theten core principles

Oxford University Hospitalspromotes a safe, respectful hiring environment.

General Duties & Responsibilities:

• a) To be responsible as an autonomous practitioner for the comprehensiveorthoptic assessment, diagnosis and appropriate management of new andfollow-up patients. This patient group comprises all cases of concomitantand incomitant strabismus, and amblyopia, including complex casesrequiring specialist knowledge and a requirement to act when they shownew or change to existing clinical signs.
• b) To be responsible for evaluation of visual acuity and visual behaviour in
• referrals from the specialist services, particularly strabismus and paediatricreferrals.
• c) To be responsible for planning, implementing and monitoring orthoptic
• treatment for patients of all ages using clinical reasoning and evidencebased practice, gaining appropriate consent and for appropriately followingup patients who fail to attend or comply with treatment, in conformance withTrust and departmental policies.
• d)To work where necessary with interpreters, relatives, and support workers to achieve patient comprehension.
• e) To fully communicate the results of assessment, diagnosis, prognosis and specific treatment plans to patients, parents or guardians.
• f)To discuss results of assessments and management plans with medical and other colleagues as required, providing an integrated approach to patient care.
• g) To provide clear documentation of patient’s records in line with Trust policies.
• h) To participate or assist with administrative and managerial duties delegated by the Head or Deputy Head Orthoptist.
• i)To undertake data collection as required for audit purposes and the management of the service.
• To be familiar with and adhere to the policies and procedures of the Trust.
• To achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional
• development within agreed timescales.
• To participate fully in the value based appraisal processand undertake Continuing Professional Development
• To participate in surveys and audits as necessary in order to enable the Trust tomeet its statutory requirements.
• To be aware of the Trust’s emergency planning processes and follow such processes as necessary, in the event of an unexpected incident. This job description is not exhaustive. Staff may be required to undertake any other duties at the request of the line manager, which are commensurate with the band, including project work, internal job rotation and absence cover.

This advert closes on Wednesday 11 Nov 2026

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust