Specialist Orthoptist

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

This is a fixed term post until 27th March 2026.

There are many reasons to join our team at Sunderland Eye Infirmary. Aside from our fantastic staff, we have lots of exciting developments. Our plans for our Eye Hospital in Sunderland are progressing, ensuring Sunderland will remain home to the region's only dedicated standalone eye hospital. This will strengthen our excellent reputation across the NHS, both regionally and nationally, as a center of excellence for ophthalmology care.

We are committed to discovering new and better treatments. As one of the few specialist eye hospitals in the country, research and the use of developing technology are key parts of our work. We encourage innovation and research in everything we do. If you share our vision for excellence in all that we do, we would love you to join us!

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Orthoptist to join our friendly and experienced team of 8 Orthoptists based at Sunderland Eye Infirmary. As a tertiary referral center, our service supports paediatric Ophthalmology, Neuro-Ophthalmology, Maxillofacial, Emergency care, adult motility, and an acute stroke service. We also participate in student teaching as an accredited Orthoptic student placement site.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will join a team of 8 Orthoptists on a fixed term basis until 27th March 2026. They will work alongside 2 consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologists, 1 specialist Neuro-Ophthalmologist, and 9 Optometrists. The role includes participation in joint Consultant, Optometry, and individual Orthoptic clinics, along with opportunities to participate in peripheral clinics, regular journal clubs, and teaching of Orthoptic and medical students. Support will be provided if this is the candidate's first clinical role following qualification.

The working hours will be 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, from 08:30 to 16:30. We encourage candidates to contact our Orthoptic Department Manager, Rafaela Schelle, at 0191 5410093 or rafaela.schelle@nhs.net for further information regarding this post.

About us

Please help us by adding your telephone number to your application form; this will allow us to contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award-winning teams, we have a passion for research, innovation, and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness, and civility and promote a compassionate, caring, and positive culture/work environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, and particularly those from under-represented groups. Looking after our workforce's health and wellbeing is a priority for STSFT. We also provide access to high-quality education, training, career progression, and support. Flexible working is supported via the Trust's Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,300 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide specialized services outside this area, serving a population as great as 860,000. We offer our staff outstanding benefits, including a Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support, and access to a Childcare Coordinator to assist staff with childcare arrangements. The Trust will not accept applications which are found to be AI generated.

Job responsibilities

PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.

• Provide comprehensive and quality Orthoptic investigation as an autonomous practitioner for patients referred to the Eye Department.
• Work independently and within a multi-disciplinary team to provide appropriate assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for Orthoptic patients of varying ages and abilities.
• Carry out secondary screening in the community and peripheral sites.

Person Specification

Experience

• Experience in all aspects of clinical Orthoptics.
• Experience in ophthalmological assessment of patients.
• Evidence of continued professional development.
• Evidence of a special interest in neuro-ophthalmology and strabismus.
• Experience in delivering student supervision and clinical education to Orthoptic undergraduates, pre-registration optometrists, trainee GPs, and junior doctors.

Qualifications

• BSc (Hons) Orthoptics OR Orthoptics BMedSci OR Diploma from the British Orthoptic Council (DBO).
• Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.
• BIOS member or other professional liability insurance.
• Medical exemptions for orthoptists.

Skills and Knowledge

• Good planning and organizational skills and self-direction.
• Ability to deliver presentations.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills at all levels.
• Ability to manage and prioritize clinical workload and respond appropriately and logically.
• Understanding of and ability to maintain patient confidentiality.
• Ability to gain cooperation from different audiences, considering their abilities and understanding.
• IT skills.
• Ability to adapt communication to individuals, including non-verbal methods (e.g., Makaton).

Physical Skills

• Ability to assist patients to move as per Trust Moving and Handling Policy.
• Expert hand/eye coordination to perform accurate assessments with challenging patients.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, and a submission for Disclosure will be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust