Specialist Orthoptist

The Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust; Wakefield; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Wakefield is looking for an enthusiastic Specialist Orthoptist to join their Orthoptic team. The candidate will assess and manage a varied caseload, work independently, and support patient care alongside an experienced team. The role offers a supportive work environment, opportunities for professional development, and access to extensive employee benefits, enhancing work-life balance.

Benefits

Access to NHS pension plan

Generous holiday allowance

Employee health and wellbeing services

Onsite nurseries

Childcare vouchers

Car lease and home electronics schemes

Qualifications

• Solid knowledge of Orthoptics appropriate to experience.
• Previous Orthoptic experience, including working independently.
• Ability to travel to clinic sites and work required days.

Responsibilities

• Assess, diagnose, and manage patients of all ages referred to Orthoptic service.
• Formulate and communicate individual management plans.
• Act as a source of expertise for other health care professionals.

Skills

Good communication

Ability to manage a varied caseload

Professionalism

Team-working skills

Basic IT systems for clinical records

Education

Degree or Diploma in Orthoptics

HCPC registration

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Orthoptic team at Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Teaching NHS Trust.
We are a small team of 5 Orthoptists delivering Orthoptic services and working alongside Paediatric Ophthalmologists and Optometrists across the Paediatric and Adult Ocular Motility service.
Are you looking to be part of a supportive team, do you strive for excellence? We are looking for an enthusiastic and self‑motivated Specialist Orthoptist with an interest in Paediatrics.
We are a three site Trust and the successful candidate will be expected to work cross‑site in line with service demand.

Main duties of the job

To work as an autonomous Orthoptic practitioner, assessing, diagnosing and managing a full case‑mix of patients of all ages referred to the Orthoptic service.
Formulate, communicate, and adjust individual management plans.
To act as the source of expertise and advice on Orthoptic matters for other health care professionals.
Perform pre‑ and post‑operative measurements for strabismus and liaise with Ophthalmologists on surgical planning and risks.
Act as a departmental expert on complex Orthoptic cases and provide guidance based on evidence‑based practice.
Communicate effectively with patients, carers, colleagues, and external agencies, including participation in multidisciplinary meetings.
Maintain accurate, contemporaneous clinical records and manage day‑to‑day clinic administration.
Participate in clinical audit, research, training, teaching, and professional development; maintain CPD requirements and support staff learning.
Adhere to Trust policies, professional standards, confidentiality, equality, diversity, and Health & Safety regulations.
Utilize Trust resources responsibly and assist with risk assessments and safety improvements

About us

We are an acute trust caring for over one million people in Wakefield and Kirklees. Our 10,000 staff members work in patients' homes, the community, and our three hospitals in Pontefract, Dewsbury, and Pinderfields (Wakefield).
Committed to continuous improvement, we prioritise our people and values so we can deliver excellent patient experience.
Our team is friendly, passionate and always seeking better ways to work through research and innovation.
We support work‑life balance and foster a diverse, inclusive environment where everyone belongs.
Our staff networks offer safe spaces for honest conversations and to share ideas, thoughts and concerns so we can increase awareness and appreciation of equality, diversity, and inclusion.
As a member of the team, you will have access to the NHS pension plan, a generous holiday allowance, employee health and wellbeing services and extensive benefits and support. These include onsite nurseries, childcare vouchers, car lease and home electronics schemes, working carers support, carer‑friendly policies, and more.
If you value caring, high standards, improvement, and respect, join the MY team to make a difference every day.

Job responsibilities

Qualifications: Degree or Diploma in Orthoptics, HCPC registration, DBS clearance.

Experience: Previous Orthoptic experience, including working independently.

Knowledge & Awareness: Solid knowledge of Orthoptics appropriate to experience and awareness of own limitations.

Skills & Abilities: Ability to manage a varied caseload (including young children, neuro‑ophthalmology, learning difficulties), work independently, and use basic IT systems for clinical records.

Personal Attributes: Good communication, enthusiasm, motivation, ability to work under pressure, professionalism, and team‑working skills.

Other: Ability to travel to clinic sites and work required days.

Person Specification

Qualifications

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.