Specialist Orthoptist

NHS; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Milton Keynes is seeking a Specialist Orthoptist to join their friendly team. This full-time role involves providing autonomous orthoptic services, managing a diverse patient caseload including paediatrics, and participating in the education of future healthcare professionals. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Orthoptics and HCPC registration. There are opportunities for both experienced orthoptists and new graduates to grow and develop within a supportive environment, with additional benefits for flexible working.

Benefits

Continuous professional development opportunities

Supportive mentoring program

Qualifications

• Evidence of participation in paediatric orthoptic clinic scenarios.
• Experience of adult orthoptic assessment.

Responsibilities

• Provide orthoptic services to both paediatric and adult patients.
• Assess, diagnose, manage treatment of ophthalmic disorders.
• Participate in departmental education programmes.

Skills

Ability to work autonomously

Excellent communication skills

Effective time management

Education

Degree/Diploma in Orthoptics

HCPC Registration

Tools

Ophthalmic equipment (e.g., Goldmann, IOL master)

Job description

Job summary

Specialist Orthoptist

Department: Orthoptics

Band: 6 Pro rata if part‑time

Hours: 37.5 per week. All MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working

We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic orthoptist to join our friendly and supportive team of 6 orthoptists as part of a wider multidisciplinary eye clinic. The MKUH ophthalmology department is in a new Community Diagnostic Centre 5 minutes away from the main hospital site within the city centre. It comprises of orthoptic rooms, consulting rooms, optometry rooms, treatment rooms and a theatre.

Orthoptists with relevant previous clinical experience will be recruited to band 6, with the opportunity to undertake and develop skills in extended roles (depending on departmental requirements). These specialist areas may include SEN clinics, biometry, intravitreal injections, paediatric ECLO and stroke ward work.

New graduate orthoptists are also welcome to apply and will be appointed at band 5 level and work through a clinical skills toolkit to help their career development. The department has supported and mentored new graduates who benefit from our preceptorship scheme which has enabled them to develop to a band 6 role. We have a recognised BIOS mentor and are actively involved in both CPD and clinical audit.

Informal enquiries are welcome.

Please contact: Maneeta Morarji Head Orthoptist on 01908 995526 option 5 or e‑mail [e-mail]

Interview date: 23/02/2026 PM

Main duties of the job

We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute

"- NHS Survey, 2024'' Allied Health Professionals experience a high diverse and equal work environment, supporting this with 8.33 out of 10.

o To provide orthoptic services as an autonomous practitioner, working within professional guidelines and policies, to provide a comprehensive and competent orthoptic service to both paediatric and adult patients within the hospital and other locations as required.

o To provide assessment, diagnosis, management and treatment of patients presenting with a wide range of ophthalmic and ocular motility disorders.

o Undertake one or more specialised orthoptic clinic roles such as stroke, orthoptic screening, intravitreal injections, ECLO, biometry clinics and assessment of children with additional needs (special educational needs / visual impairment / specific learning difficulties).

o To independently assess and manage complex neurological patients, referring on to the consultant ophthalmologist as required.

o Participate in departmental education programme, including the training of orthoptic undergraduate students, pre‑registration optometrists, junior doctors, health visitors, school nurses and others.

o To act as a source of expertise on the management of ocular motility disorders to patients, other healthcare professionals, GPs and consultants.

About us

Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting‑edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.

As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.

We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state‑of‑the‑art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.

Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards – a new ward block featuring two 24‑bed wards – and the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.

Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH – News – Milton Keynes University Hospital -

For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes

Details Date posted

12 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year Per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full‑time

Reference number

430‑SURG25‑242A

Job locations

Orthoptics (Dept)

Milton Keynes

MK6 5LD

Job description Job responsibilities

• Work autonomously, within professional boundaries, taking sole responsibility for the orthoptic assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients referred from ophthalmology including booked urgent service, vision screening, paediatrics, stroke, and maxillofacial services. This will include babies, children and adults with varied complexity of medical conditions and neurological disorders.
• Assess and diagnose paediatric and adult new and follow up patients. Develop and manage a specialised programme of care appropriate to the needs of the individual patient. This involves using clinical reasoning and a wide range of treatment skills, communicating effectively with patients and parents / carers. Assess understanding and gaining informed consent to the recommended treatment plan. Adhere to any national and local guidelines.
• Having a significantly high level of anatomical and neurological knowledge to enable diagnosis of acute onset ocular motility defects, including adults with varied complex medical conditions and neurological disorders and decide on the appropriate onward referral pathway.

SPECIALIST CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties include one or more of the following (depending on specific departmental requirements and training):

Carry out A‑scan biometry and contact / immersion measurements using specialised equipment. Perform IOP and keratometry measurements and instil eye drops as required. Liaise with the ophthalmologist regarding accurate power selection of intra‑ocular lens implant. Take personal responsibility for correct machine calibration and follow guidelines to minimise possible infection risks.

To assist the surgeon with specialised A‑scan immersion biometry as part of the MDT team in theatre for patients under GA. This requires taking accurate measurements to assist the surgeon with complex patients with high‑risk co‑morbidities during cataract surgery.

NON‑CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Work as an effective member of the orthoptic team, liaising with the Deputy Head Orthoptist regarding clinic management and staff deployment.

Triage referrals into the Orthoptic department according to departmental policy. Log referral details onto orthoptic database.

Communication

To have excellent and highly developed communication skills with all staff, patients, and parents / carers of patients. Utilise and demonstrate sensitive communication styles, to ensure patients are fully informed prior to consent for treatment. To communicate the actual or potential diagnosis which may be of a distressing nature requiring sensitive, careful explanation of highly complex information, either to parents or carers of a child, or to an adult patient.

Personal Development

Recognise and work within own competence and professional code of conduct as regulated by the HCPC. Understand own role and scope and identify how this may develop over time. Prioritise own workload and ensure effective time‑management strategies are embedded within work.

Delivering a quality service

Deliver care according to NSF, CQC, NICE guidelines and evidence‑based care. Produce accurate, contemporaneous and complete records of patient consultation, consistent with legislation, policies and procedures. Take an active role in development of local policies and guidelines for the orthoptic services.

Team working

Actively promote the workplace as a learning environment, encouraging everyone to learn from each other and from external good practice. Support and encourage colleagues with development and training. Be able to challenge any complacency or actions that are not in the interest of the public and/or users of services.

Please refer to the job description for further details.

Person Specification Qualifications and knowledge Essential

• Degree/Diploma in Orthoptics
• HCPC Registration

Desirable

• BIOS membership

Experience Essential

• Evidence of participation in a variety of paediatric orthoptic clinic scenarios
• Experience of adult orthoptic assessment

Desirable

• Previous experience in SEN clinics
• Previous experience in biometry clinics
• Use of ophthalmic equipment (eg Goldmann, IOL master, auto refractor, focimeter)
• Experience in teaching other health care professionals
• Audit / presentation experience
• CPD evidence
• Knowledge of safeguarding

Skills Essential

• Ability to work autonomously and take responsibility for own caseload, working on own initiative
• Ability to seek advice and guidance where necessary from senior colleagues
• Effective time management and prioritisation skills

Personal and people development Essential

• To be approachable, enthusiastic and able to work under pressure
• To show a willingness and ability to learn and develop new skills in line with departmental requirements
• Willingness to teach/train new staff members, students, and other staff when appropriate

Communication Essential

• Excellent communication skills with all patients and staff, both verbal and written
• Ability to communicate with all age groups of patients
• Ability to communicate with various staff at different levels

Specific requirements Essential

• Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
• Able to work as part of a team

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Orthoptics (Dept)

Milton Keynes

MK6 5LD

Employer's website

https://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/working-at-mkuh (Opens in a new tab)