Specialist Orthoptist

Western Eye Hospital; Greater London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in Greater London is seeking enthusiastic Orthoptists to join their dynamic ophthalmology team. The role involves assessing and managing a wide range of visual disorders in paediatric and adult patients. Candidates with a diploma or degree in Orthoptics and HCPC registration are preferred. Exceptional candidates may be considered through a preceptorship scheme. Enjoy career development, flexible working, and other benefits while contributing to high-quality patient care in a collaborative environment.

Benefits

Career development

Flexible working

Wellbeing benefits

Staff recognition scheme

Qualifications

• Expertise in Orthoptics with clinical experience as an independent practitioner.
• Understanding of work procedures including paediatrics, neurology, and stroke assessments.
• Willingness to undergo further training as required.

Responsibilities

• Formulate management plans for patients with ocular motility defects and refractive errors.
• Provide assessments and treatments for children with congenital abnormalities.
• Assist ophthalmic surgeons during post-operative procedures.

Skills

Evidence of Continuing Professional Development

Ability to work effectively and efficiently under pressure

Able to manage own workload and prioritise time

Teamwork ability

Education

Diploma or degree in Orthoptics

Health Care Professionals Council registration

Job description

Job overview

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust is seeking enthusiastic, experienced Orthoptists to join our dynamic Ophthalmology team. Exceptional newly qualified candidates may also be considered through a preceptorship Band 5 to Band 6 run‑through scheme. We currently have one full‑time post and one part‑time post (22.5 hours) available.

You will work alongside over 30 consultant ophthalmologists, optometrists, ophthalmic nurses, and imaging staff across our multi‑site service, delivering high‑quality orthoptic care to both paediatric and adult patients. Your core responsibilities will include the assessment, diagnosis, and management of a wide range of visual disorders, ensuring timely and effective patient care.

In addition to core orthoptic duties, these roles offer opportunities to develop extended skills in low vision services, Goldmann perimetry, and specialist ophthalmic pathways aligned with the Ophthalmic Practitioner Training Framework. There is also scope to contribute to electrodiagnostic assessments, supporting complex patient pathways. This is an excellent opportunity to join a collaborative, forward‑thinking team committed to innovation and excellence in eye care, while advancing your professional development within a leading NHS Trust.

Main duties of the job

• To formulate a management plan using evidence based department protocols and prior knowledge, for patients with all types of ocular motility defects, refractive errors and amblyopia. These cases may be congenital or acquired and may include neurological abnormalities and genetic disorders with associated ocular abnormalities.
• Instruct patients and relatives about options for Orthoptic treatment using prior knowledge and negotiate and agree a treatment plan.
• Provide Orthoptic assessment and treatment of children with congenital or developmental abnormalities including children with significant learning difficulties as part of a multidisciplinary team within the paediatric unit.
• Assess patients referred from the 24 hour ophthalmic accident and emergency department, neurology, diabetic clinic, stroke unit, and to formulate accurate diagnoses and prognoses.
• To assist the ophthalmic surgeon in the post‑operative adjustable suture procedure following squint surgery. This requires accurate post‑operative measurements to assist the surgeon making the decision to adjust sutures following instillation of anaesthetic drops.
• To deal with queries regarding appointments, internal referrals etc, that arise during the working day and to liaise with the Lead Orthoptist to take the appropriate action and to organise Orthoptic appointments when requested.

Working for our organisation

At Imperial College Healthcare you can achieve extraordinary things with extraordinary people, working with leading clinicians pushing boundaries in patient care.

Become part of a vibrant team living our values - expert, kind, collaborative and aspirational. You’ll get an experience like no other and will fast forward your career.

Benefits include career development, flexible working and wellbeing, staff recognition scheme. Make use of optional benefits including Cycle to Work, car lease schemes, season ticket loan or membership options for onsite leisure facilities.

We are committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and will consider applications to work flexibly, part time or job share. Please talk to us at interview.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required.

For both overviewsplease view the Job Description attachment with the job advert.

Person specification

Education / Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Diploma or degree in Orthoptics
• Health Care Professionals Council registration

Desirable criteria

• Teaching Qualification
• BIOS Clinical Tutors Course

Experience

Essential criteria

• Understands a range of work procedures and practices, including paediatrics, neurology, stroke assessments and low vision assessment.
• An expert in the field of Orthoptics.
• Clinical experience to enable working as an independent practitioner.
• Able to manage own work load and prioritise time to meet clinical demands.

Desirable criteria

• Working with children with learning disabilities
• Experience in clinical tutoring for pre‑registration Optometrists, medical students and junior doctors.
• Willing to partake in clinical research projects and make presentations at local meetings.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

Essential criteria

• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
• Willing to undergo further training as required.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently under pressure.
• Able to plan, organise and prioritise workload.
• Able to work well within a team structure.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of carrying out Goldmann kinetic perimetry
• Experience dispensing Low Vision Aids to patients with visual impairments

Right to work

If you need sponsorship to work in the UK, please visit the Home Office website for information on sponsorship and visa status before you fill in your application form. Due to recent changes in the UK immigration rules which affect Skilled Worker Visas, Global Business Mobility, Higher Skill Level and Increased Salary Thresholds, please ensure that you are able to meet the requirements to live and work in the UK before applying. Further information about eligibility is available on

Please ensure you check your emails regularly as this is how we will communicate with you throughout the recruitment process. If you are shortlisted you will be contacted by email and text message (if you provide a mobile contact number).

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