Specialist Orthoptist

The Methodist Church in Britain; North East; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Specialist Orthoptist to join our orthoptic team. You will manage a general orthoptic caseload, including new and follow-up assessments, urgent care, and secondary screening clinics, across Trust sites.

You will diagnose ocular motility disorders, develop treatment plans and supervise teaching in multidisciplinary clinics with paediatric ophthalmology and optometrists. The role supports CPD and ongoing professional development.

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in Orthoptics.
• HCPC registration and ongoing CPD.
• Experience across clinical orthoptics, paediatrics, neurology and community services.
• Experience with adjustable suture squint surgery.
• Ability to travel and work across Trust sites.
• Educate and train healthcare professionals and students.

Responsibilities

• Hold a general orthoptic caseload, including new and follow-up assessments.
• Diagnose ocular motility disorders, develop treatment plans and ensure timely review.
• Work in the urgent care clinic, seeing urgent orthoptic cases.
• Provide secondary screening clinics.
• Work in multidisciplinary clinics with a paediatric ophthalmologist and optometrists.
• Act as a source of expertise for patients, carers, GPs, ophthalmology staff and other professionals.
• Discharge patients and make onward referrals within the Trust and externally.
• Educate and train healthcare professionals, orthoptic and medical students, optometry students and work experience students.
• Work at any of the Trust's sites as required.
• Take an active part in continuous professional development.

Skills

Communication

Planning

Organization

Dexterity

Clinical knowledge

Education

Diploma or degree in Orthoptics

Job description

This Specialist Orthoptist post sits in the orthoptic department of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust. The post holder runs a general orthoptic caseload, covering new and follow-up assessments, alongside urgent care and secondary screening clinics. The role centres on diagnosing and managing ocular motility disorders, with teaching of students and other staff, and the post holder may work across any Trust site. Essential certificates must be produced before pre-employment checks can start.

What the job involves

• Hold a general orthoptic caseload, including new and follow-up assessments
• Diagnose ocular motility disorders, develop treatment plans and ensure timely review
• Work in the urgent care clinic, seeing urgent orthoptic cases
• Provide secondary screening clinics
• Work in multidisciplinary clinics with a paediatric ophthalmologist and optometrists
• Act as a source of expertise for patients, carers, GPs, ophthalmology staff and other professionals
• Discharge patients and make onward referrals within the Trust and to external agencies such as the DVLA and local sensory support services
• Educate and train healthcare professionals, orthoptic and medical students, optometry students and work experience students
• Work at any of the Trust's sites as required
• Take an active part in continuous professional development

What’s required

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in Orthoptics

Registration & licences

• HCPC registration
• Ongoing CPD

Experience

• Experience across clinical orthoptics, ideally including paediatrics, neurology, community services and adjustable suture squint surgery

Skills & knowledge

• Good communication with patients and other professionals
• Good planning and organisational skills
• Ability to organise own workload and clinics
• Manual dexterity in the use of orthoptic equipment
• Up to date knowledge of clinical techniques and technology

Other

• Ability to meet the travel requirements of the post
• Ability to produce all essential certificates before pre-employment checks

Nice to have

• Experience of Goldmann visual field testing
• Experience of clinical teaching, ideally including orthoptic undergraduates
• Clinical teachers qualification
• Experience with computer software
• Research skills

What’s offered

• Possible experience in the orthoptic stroke service