Specialist Orthoptist

Manchester University Nhs Foundation Trust; Stretford; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) invites applications for a community orthoptist to join our team across Manchester and Trafford. The role is community-based, autonomous and requires strong organisational skills to work across multiple health centres, special schools and ophthalmology clinics.

You will assess, diagnose and manage paediatric patients with strabismus, ocular motility disorders and amblyopia, including SEND, providing single-handed clinics and working within the

Qualifications

• Degree in Orthoptics and HCPC registration.
• Minimum of 3 years post-qualification experience.
• Experience with children with SEND in special school.
• Evidence of recent professional development.

Responsibilities

• Provide autonomous, high-quality community orthoptic services.
• Assess, diagnose and manage paediatric patients with strabismus, ocular motility disorders and amblyopia.
• Run single-handed community paediatric orthoptic/refraction clinics and special school clinics.
• Refer onward and discharge safely within guidelines.

Skills

Orthoptics degree

HCPC registered

Autonomous working

3+ years post-qualification

Education

Degree in Orthoptics

Job description

Job summary

The Children's Community Orthoptic Service is looking for a hard working, passionate and enthusiastic Orthoptist to join our team of 11 Orthoptists to work across Manchester and Trafford at a number of Health Centres, special schools and ophthalmology clinics. This position will be solely community based and requires exceptional organisational skills. The post holder will be required to work independently without the immediate supervision of other team members. MFT adheres to the flexible working policy, which is available to all staff, to ensure that you have a healthy work life balance.

Main duties of the job

Reporting directly to the Head of the Children's Community Orthoptic Service, you will be an integral part of the team. Providing comprehensive, high quality Orthoptic services as an autonomous practitioner. This requires knowledge and interpretation of professional and departmental guidelines, applying this to patients accessing the community orthoptic setting. Assessment, diagnosis and management (including onward referral and safe discharge) of new and follow up paediatric patients with, strabismus, ocular motility disorders and amblyopia, including children with SEND. The position includes single handed community paediatric orthoptic/refraction clinics and special school clinics and paediatric ophthalmology clinics at Trafford General Hospital.

About us

Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe - a great place to shape your career.With a workforce of over 30,000 colleagues, we work together to deliver exceptional care to more than 1 million people every year.Behind every patient cared for are people like you - keeping services running smoothly, supporting clinical teams, and helping create safe, welcoming environments for patients and our people alike.At MFT, we believe in the power of teamwork, respect, and inclusion. Our People Plan reflects our commitment to making MFT a place where everyone feels they belong, where your ideas are heard, and your contribution is truly valued. Join us and work smarter with our digital technology and thrive in a collaborative culture that empowers you to deliver your best to ensure that your work behind the scenes creates seamless, high-quality care and exceptional patient outcomes.Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow, we offer clear pathways for development and a culture that supports your wellbeing, ambition, and success. Everything you do makes a real difference to the lives of others.At MFT, your role matters, your impact is real, and you're part of something bigger from day one.

Closing vacancy listings early

We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.

Diversity Matters

MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.

What is a DBS Check?

A DBS check is a background check that reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. The level of check required depends on the role:

Standard DBS

Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.

Enhanced DBS

Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police thats considered relevant to the role.

Enhanced with Barred

Lists: Includes all of the above, plus checks against the childrens and/or adults barred lists.

Who Needs a DBS Check

Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check. The job advert and recruitment team will let you know if this applies to your role.

The Costs for a DBS

At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment. If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.

For more information about the cost of the various types of DBS, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-fees-are-changing-in-december

DBS Update Service

Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree in Orthoptics (or equivalent)
• Registration with Health and Care Professions Council

Desirable

• Driving Licence

Experience

Essential

• Minimum of 3 years post qualification experience
• Experience of working with children with special educational needs in special school
• Evidence of recent professional development
• Up to date personal development plan
• Experience of providing training to undergraduate orthoptic students

Desirable

• Experience of working with patients with vision impairment
• Clinical tutor certificate

Clinical Skills

Essential

• Manage patient care autonomously
• Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Aptitude for working in a caring environment with children of all abilities
• To have a wide understanding of conditions that are referred to the orthoptic service and the treatment plans that are required

Desirable

• Ability to contribute to clinical pathway development
• Knowledge and experience of clinical audit

Management Skills

Essential

• Planning and organisation skills
• Self-directing
• IT skills

Interpersonal Skills

Essential

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with a broad range of patients including those with learning disabilities
• Counselling skills to support patients and families coping with high levels of stress

Desirable

• Strength of character to cope with occasional exposure to highly distressing situations

Circumstances

Essential

• Flexible to meet the service needs

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.

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 (Opens in a new tab).

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 (Opens in a new tab).

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