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Advanced Orthoptist - Stroke and In-patient Lead
The closing date is 22 June 2026
Do you have a passion for working within the Orthoptic Stroke and In-patient caseload? Are you looking for a new challenge? We are searching for an experienced Orthoptist to become our new Orthoptic Stroke and In-patient Lead - if you would like to play a key part in the organising and running of our Stroke and In-patient services then this may well be the perfect job for you! Our Team of 21 Orthoptists provide core orthoptic and various sub-specialities at Royal Preston Hospital and Chorley Hospital plus several community clinics; in November 2021 our purpose built eye unit opened at Chorley Hospital and offers modern timely care to a large number of patients across Lancashire and South Cumbria. This post offers the opportunity to lead our Orthoptic Stroke and In-patient services plus participating in sub-speciality adult and paediatric orthoptic clinics, joint consultant clinics, acquired brain injury assessments and MDT working. We regularly have undergraduate orthoptic students and other learners and are actively involved in various audits, research and CPD opportunities.
Main duties of the job
You will lead in the organising and running of the advanced specialist Orthoptic Stroke and In-patient Orthoptic Services as an autonomous practitioner within our hospital and community outreach clinics, accepting direct referrals of patients of all ages who have a wide spectrum of ocular motility disorders and visual problems, work closely with the Trust's stroke, neuro‑rehab and neurology teams within the hospital setting in order to deliver a high quality and complex Orthoptic service within these areas as well as directly within Orthoptics and Ophthalmology.
You will undertake development of staff within the Orthoptic team, along with the undertaking of the annual appraisal (PDPR) and objective setting of your direct reports.
You will ensure the provision of high quality, evidence based Orthoptic Services along with continuous improvement and development in line with best practice standards in collaboration with the Head Orthoptist.
You will participate in providing Orthoptic clinical teaching and training for other healthcare professionals including under‑graduate Orthoptic students, pre‑registration Optometrists, Nurses, Ophthalmic Technicians, HCAs, Health Visitors, School Nurses, Health Scientists, General Practitioners (GPs), junior doctors and medical students and other health care professionals as required.
About us
We are a large enthusiastic team of Orthoptists who work closely with our eye colleagues striving to provide excellent care with compassion; if you manage your time well, work well within a team and have leadership skills then this is the place for you.
We are always looking for ways to further develop ourselves and the team plus looking to see what we could do differently and in fact better. This is why we actively encourage and support CPD, audit and research and have mentorship in place for this role.
Job responsibilities
- Take the lead in the organising and running of the advanced specialised Orthoptic Stroke and Orthoptic In‑Patient service.
- Ensure the provision of high quality, evidence based Orthoptic Services, ensuring that services are continually improved and developed in line with best practice standards in collaboration with the Head Orthoptist.
- Undertake development of the orthoptic team specifically the staff who report to this post, along with the undertaking of their annual appraisal (PDPR) and objective setting.
- Assess, plan, implement and review care and treatment plans to meet patients Orthoptic needs in accordance with agreed local and national standards and evidence-based guidelines through appropriate professional practice, both within their specific areas of Orthoptics and the general Orthoptic caseload.
- Support and provide patient education and health promotion.
- Be responsible for the delivery and co‑ordination of Orthoptic care, through appropriate professional practice, delegation and supervision of duties carried out by junior staff.
- Proactively manage risk, maintain patient safety, conforming to health and safety legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines.
- Assist in setting, monitoring and maintaining standards of care to improve the patient experience and outcome of care.
- Communicate all relevant information to the multidisciplinary team internally and with external organisations as required, to ensure seamless care.
- Maintain accurate and complete records of all care activities, in a timely manner, adhering to local and professional standards for documentation.
- Participate in education and training of students and other health professionals.
- Act as a role model, presenting a positive image of self, team and organisation.
- Promote equality in care and practice by recognising, respecting and meeting the needs and choices of individuals.
- Maintain and develop own professional competence and seek to extend the scope of personal knowledge and skills within the scope of role and professional practice.
- Proactively engage with Trust wide or local changes and developments in service provision.
- Actively try to resolve issues and complaints at local level and then report the outcome to the line manager.
- Ensure environment of care is safe, well equipped, and compliant with standards for hygiene and cleanliness.
Person Specification
Qualifications
- Registered with the HCPC
- Evidence of appropriate ongoing professional development at an advanced level related to this area of work
- Completed competencies in stroke (STARS)
- Masters Module in Orthoptic Stroke Care or Equivalent
- Member of BIOS and related CAGs to this role
- Stroke and Neuro Re‑Hab related Orthoptic qualification
- Neuro‑Orthoptic related qualification
- BIOS recognised teaching qualification
- Medical Exemptions Qualification
Knowledge and Experience
- In depth proven experience within the specific areas of Orthoptic Stroke and Orthoptic in‑patient caseload
- Competent in the use of and interpretation of the Humphrey Visual Field analyser and other perimeters
- Up to date knowledge relating to DVLA regulations
- Up to date knowledge relating to SSNAP data and requirements
- In depth proven experience of Paediatric and Adult Orthoptic Care within a hospital and community setting.
- Experience of working in single handed clinics
- Evidence based practice relating to Orthoptics and Ophthalmology - practice supports evidence-based knowledge
- Proven knowledge of the investigation, diagnosis and management of a range of specialist and complex Orthoptic patients
- Knowledge of relevant national policies and procedures relating to role
- Ability to independently assess and make clinical decisions
- Evidence of Audit and/or Research
- Knowledge of relevant national policies and procedures relating to role.
- Previous experience of clinical teaching, supervision and staff training.
- Experience of training others in Orthoptic skills.
- Previous experience as a team leader.
- Dementia awareness training
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.
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
£49,387 to £56,515 a year per annum, pro rata
