Orthoptist - REI Orthoptics

Job Summary

Band 5/6 Orthoptist - depending on experience.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Orthoptist to join our friendly team, to work within our multi-disciplinary eye unit. The post will be based at the Royal Eye Infirmary (University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust). Our new unit was opened in October 2023 and boasts fully equipped orthoptic rooms, outpatients with dedicated paediatric suite, theatres, urgent care and in-house dispensing opticians.

Further Information About Our Orthoptic Department Is Available At

Orthoptic Department Information

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Main duties of the job

The post covers a varied Orthoptic caseload comprising of paediatric and adult patients. The department receives referrals from a number of departments within the Trust.

The Orthoptic department is a centre of excellence for delivering dedicated nystagmus/ complex ocular motility clinics in conjunction with Professor Chris Harris (Professor of Neuroscience).

The department is an accredited training centre for undergraduate orthoptists. A willingness to participate in clinical supervision of students is desired and you will be supported to gain a relevant clinical tutor qualification, if preferred.

The applicant will be supported in professional development.

We can adapt the post to suit either an Orthoptist with experience or someone newly qualified. The applicant will hold a degree or diploma in Orthoptics and be registered with the HCPC. Newly qualified orthoptists and those looking to return to practice are most welcome to apply. Newly qualified orthoptists will be appointed at band 5 initially; progression to band 6 would be expected after 18 months (subject to the applicant's development). Newly qualified orthoptists will be fully supported through the BIOS (British and Irish Orthoptic Society) preceptorship scheme.

About Us

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Date posted

14 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£28,407 to £42,618 a year £28,407 - £42,618 Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

216-HB-S7065428

Job locations

Royal Eye Infirmary

3 Alpha Way

Plymouth

PL6 5ZF

Job Description

Job responsibilities

• Orthoptic Clinical Duties:
• To take sole responsibility for the Orthoptic assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients referred from outside agencies and to manage, using individual treatment plans, the associated amblyopia (non pathological vision loss) and other visual symptoms. This group of patients includes children with significant sight defects and requires a considerable degree of empathy and family support. In adults the diagnosis of acute onset ocular motility defects require a significantly high level of anatomical and neurological knowledge when there may be the need to make a differential diagnosis between clinical conditions.
• To formulate, implement and monitor individualised management and treatment programmes using clinical reasoning and a wide range of treatment skills, for patients of all ages using advanced clinical reasoning and evidence based practise. Communicating effectively with patients, & / parents, & / carers those plans and to assess capacity and gain informed consent to those treatment plans.
• To take sole responsibility to formulate relevant discharge plans and onward referral. This patient group comprises all cases of ocular motility defects and amblyopia (reduced vision with no pathological cause, which can only be treated before the age of 7-8 years), complex congenital and acquired cases, including neurological abnormalities, genetic disorders and associated ocular abnormalities.
• To be responsible as an autonomous practitioner for the evaluation of visual acuity and visual behaviour in referrals from the specialist services. This includes infants with strabismus (squint) and amblyopia, congenital or developmental abnormalities, genetic referral, adult illiterates, children and adults with significant learning difficulties as well as acute ocular motility defects in both children and adults.
• To assess patient results and act when they show new or change in existing clinical signs.
• To work with and support the Consultant Ophthalmologist.

Person Specification

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• To demonstrate an interest in Ophthalmology
• To demonstrate an awareness and motivation towards Continued Professional Development (CPD)

Desirable

• Proven post graduate demonstrable experience in all aspects of clinical Orthoptics involving specialist services, paediatrics and neuro-ophthalmology etc

Qualifications

Essential

• To possess a Bachelor of Science in Orthoptics BSc(Orth), BmedSci(Orth) and/ or a diploma from the British Orthoptic Council (DBO)
• HCPC Registration

Desirable

• Relevant teaching/ Clinical Tutor qualification

Aptitude & Abilities

Essential

• Good organisational and planning skills
• Well developed interpersonal and communication skills

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.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

Royal Eye Infirmary

3 Alpha Way

Plymouth

PL6 5ZF

Employer's website

Employer's Website