Orthoptist Principal - Co-site Lead

NHS; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 64,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading eye hospital is seeking an Orthoptist Principal to lead clinical and managerial processes in Ealing. The role involves overseeing operations, supporting staff development, and delivering specialized clinical services. Candidates should possess an Orthoptic degree recognized by HCPC, relevant postgraduate training, and experience in managing conflicting deadlines. This is a permanent position with competitive pay, offering opportunities for personal growth, flexible working, and various NHS benefits.

Benefits

High-Cost Area Supplement

NHS Pension Scheme

Free counselling service

Learning and development opportunities

Attractive benefits and discounts

Free Pilates classes

Flexible working

Qualifications

• Significant postgraduate experience in core and sub-speciality clinics.
• Advanced theoretical knowledge of managing patients.
• Ability to plan and organise clinical audits.

Responsibilities

• Jointly responsible for the day-to-day running of the Orthoptic service.
• Conduct appraisals for Orthoptic staff and support line management.
• Deliver a wide range of highly specialised clinical services as an autonomous practitioner.

Skills

Clinical leadership experience

Ability to manage conflicting deadlines

Statistical process understanding

Education

Orthoptic degree/diploma recognised by HCPC

Post-graduate training relevant to sub-speciality practice

Teaching qualification

Job description

Orthoptist Principal - Co-site Lead

The closing date is 04 January 2026

Are you a forward-thinking and dynamic Orthoptist ready to make take that next step? We're seeking a talented individual to join our team and help shape the future of Orthoptic services at Moorfields Eye Hospital.

As an Orthoptist with us, you'll have the opportunity to jointly support our new Ealing unit while contributing to the growth and development of Orthoptic services across our organisation. As we expand our service in the North West of London with a new centre at Ealing Hospital we are looking to appoint a joint co‑lead Principal Orthoptic for Ealing to work collaboratively ensuring also support for our paediatric orthoptic and children's vision service across divisions.

Working closely with the Orthoptic senior leadership team and under the guidance of the Head of Orthoptics, you'll play a pivotal role in overseeing clinical and managerial processes.

Alongside these responsibilities, you'll also maintain a highly specialised clinical role, allowing you to continue use your high developed clinical skills while making a difference in the lives of our patients.

Main duties of the job

• The Orthoptist Principal will be jointly responsible for the day to day running of the Orthoptic service including community clinics at Moorfields Eye Centre at Ealing Hospital as part of the overall Orthoptic strategy for the trust.
• The post holder will conduct the appraisals for the Orthoptic staff and support line management.
• The post holder will personally deliver a wide range of highly specialised clinical services as an autonomous practitioner and to participate in clinical audit, teaching and research.

About us

At Moorfields, we provide more than just an excellent career and great colleagues to work with. We also offer:

• Salary including High-Cost Area Supplement
• Opportunity to join the NHS Pension Scheme
• Free 24/7 independent counselling service
• Learning and development opportunities
• Easy and quick transport links
• A range of attractive benefits and discounts
• Access to Blue Light Card and other NHS Discount Schemes
• Free Pilates classes
• Full support and training to develop your skills
• Flexible working friendly organisation

And so much more! To see the full range of benefits we offer please see our Moorfields benefits document.

Job responsibilities

There is a full job description and specification attached to this advert.

Clinical leadership, jointly responsible for:

• Maintaining a daily, high clinical profile supporting core and specialist services within the Orthoptic department.
• Providing joint clinical leadership for Orthoptists working across a suite of core Orthoptic services at Ealing Hospital.
• Line manage Orthoptists to include annual appraisals, in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.
• Work collaboratively with Head Orthoptist, divisional team, service directors and local operational manager in the development and implementation of the strategic direction of the clinical speciality and the Trust shared objectives.
• Ensuring the implementation of local, national and Trust quality improvement initiatives.

Person Specification

Clinical experience and knowledge

• Significant postgraduate experience in core and sub‑speciality clinics
• Advanced theoretical knowledge and managing patients
• Knowledge and experience of clinical matters beyond direct clinical care

Qualifications

• Orthoptic degree / diploma recognised by HCPC
• Post‑graduate training plus further training relevant to sub‑speciality practice
• Teaching qualification

Audit experience and knowledge

• Ability to plan and organise complex activities e.g. supervise and present clinical audits
• Ability to provide education, teaching and training in research and audit across a range of stakeholders

Experience & Skills

• Highly organise with the ability to manage conflicting deadlines and workload
• High degree of understanding statistical processes and outputs

  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.

  Address

  Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

  £64,156 to £71,148 a year per annum incl. HCAS

  Contract

  Permanent

  Working pattern

  Full-time, Part-time

  Reference number

  273-DC-7675118

  Job locations

  Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust