Specialist Orthoptist

NHS; Crewe; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare institution in Cheshire is seeking a Specialist Orthoptist to join their team at Leighton Hospital in Crewe. The successful candidate will provide high-quality Orthoptic services, collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, and engage in the supervision of undergraduate students. This role requires strong clinical reasoning and a degree in orthoptics. The position offers a chance to work in a supportive environment focused on innovative patient care.

Qualifications

• Two years of post graduate clinical experience.
• Experience in teaching undergraduate orthoptic students.
• Involvement in orthoptic stroke service.

Responsibilities

• Provide a comprehensive Orthoptic service for patients.
• Work with multidisciplinary teams for patient assessments.
• Administer advanced clinical assessments and diagnoses.

Skills

Orthoptic service provision

Advanced clinical reasoning

Teaching and supervision

Team collaboration

Education

Degree / Diploma in orthoptics

Registered with HCPC

Clinical Tutors course

Job description

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Orthoptist

The closing date is 14 October 2025

We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated new member to join our team of orthoptists at Leighton Hospital in Crewe.

The successful candidate will work alongside a dedicated team of Ophthalmologists, Orthoptists, Optometrists and Nurses in a busy supportive department.

Main duties of the job

To provide a comprehensive and high quality Orthoptic service for patients referred to the Ophthalmology department.

To be able to practice independently to ensure that each patient is seen professionally, efficiently, effectively and with a high standard of care. To work as part of a multidisciplinary team to assess patients, as inpatients or outpatients.

To use advanced clinical reasoning to administer suitable tests and form diagnoses. Also make judgements involving complicated facts to create a unique, evidence based treatment plan and gain informed consent.

To assess patients pre-operatively and provide measurements on which surgery for ocular motility problems may be based.

To instil dilating and cycloplegic drops for ophthalmic investigation in accordance with the medical exemptions and/or patient group direction in line with Trust drug policy.

To be involved in, and contribute to, departmental clinical audit of issues. To attend an appraisal at least annually and to keep an updated professional personal development portfolio. To contribute to the general running of the Orthoptic department.

The department provides undergraduate placements for Liverpool Universities and the post holder would be expected to undertake supervision and teaching of undergraduates.

About us

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides a full range of hospital and community services for people across East Cheshire (population 399K) and West Cheshire and Chester (population 357K). The Trust provides high quality planned and emergency care, cardiac, critical care, child health, maternity services and intermediate care at Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Victoria Infirmary in Northwich, and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre in Winsford. The Trust provides over 500 beds and employs over 5,100 members of staff. A comprehensive range of community services is provided across 26 medical centres and schools through our Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership.

We have played, and continue to play, a proactive role in the development of Integrated Care plans across Cheshire & Merseyside and our local Cheshire East and Cheshire West Place-based systems. We believe, and it is the cornerstone of our five-year Trust Strategy, there is the opportunity to progress innovative, responsive and effective care in the best setting for the patient, be it in the hospital or out in the community.

At Mid Cheshire, our mission is to inspire hope and provide unparalleled care for the people and communities of Cheshire, helping them to enjoy life to the fullest.

We welcome all applicants and assess all job applications based on knowledge, skills and experience needed for the post.

Job responsibilities

For more information about the role and responsibilities please see the attached job description and person specification.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Degree / Diploma in orthoptics
• Registered with HCPC
• Clinical Tutors course

Clinical

• Two years of post graduate clinical experience
• Observation and teaching of undergraduate orthoptic students.
• Part of orthoptic stroke service

Audit and research

• Worked on research study

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.

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust