Job summary
Join our team; we are looking for an ambitious, self motivated individual to join a friendly orthoptic department.
Our department is mainly composed of two orthoptists, a paediatric ophthalmology consultant, and an optometrist. We collaborate closely with community optometrists, the paediatrics department, junior doctors, and the outpatient department across the trust.
This role is suitable for newly qualified orthoptists as well as individuals with limited experience. The appointed candidate will be offered structured training and development to support progression and achievement of the full extended role. Candidates should be aware that, depending on experience and demonstrated competence, they may be appointed at Band 5, Band 6, or Band 7, and the post is intended as a progression/development role with expectations increasing as skills and autonomy are evidenced.
Main duties of the job
The caseload is varied and will include core orthoptic, adult ocular motility and paediatric clinics linked with the ophthalmologist. Refraction clinics linked to the optometrist and orthoptic led sessions. There will also be support and encouragement to be involved in an extended role.
About us
#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community
We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.
The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500 beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.
Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.
We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.
With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.
We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.
Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?
Details
Date posted
18 February 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 5
Salary
Depending on experience Per Annum, Pro Rata
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number
S-B
Job locations
West Suffolk Hospital
Hardwick lane
Bury St Edmunds
IP33 2QZ
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see attached the job description and person specification for details around the main responsibilities of the job role.
Band 5 Orthoptist (competent practitioner with structured support): Youre expected to deliver safe, effective orthoptic assessment and treatment for the core caseload, working to SOPs/protocols and recognising your limits. You can work autonomously day-to-day, including lone working at times, but you should seek senior advice when needed (e.g., complex presentations, uncertainty, deterioration, safeguarding, or when management needs to change).
Band 6 Orthoptist (autonomous clinician managing complexity and risk): Youre expected to run clinics independently and take clear accountability for your clinical decision-making across a broader and more complex case mix. This includes assessing/diagnosing/managing patients with a wide range of binocular vision and VA abnormalities, organising and prioritising your workload, and acting as an advice resource within your specialist area. Band 6 roles commonly include managing a complex caseload and defined single-handed practice (e.g. community), with escalation to ophthalmology when required.
Band 7 Orthoptist (advanced practice plus leadership and service accountability): Youre expected to combine highly specialist clinical practice (often the go-to for complex assessment/diagnosis/management and second opinions) with leadership responsibilities that shape quality, safety, education, and service development. In practice, this means advanced autonomy and complex decision-making, contributing to guideline development/audit/service improvement, and providing senior supervision/teaching across the team and wider MDT. This aligns with the British and Irish Orthoptic Society advanced practice framing (four pillars: clinical, education, leadership, research) and the expectation that advanced practice is characterised by high autonomy and complex decision-making, typically underpinned by Masters-level capability.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see attached the job description and person specification for details around the main responsibilities of the job role.
Band 5 Orthoptist (competent practitioner with structured support): Youre expected to deliver safe, effective orthoptic assessment and treatment for the core caseload, working to SOPs/protocols and recognising your limits. You can work autonomously day-to-day, including lone working at times, but you should seek senior advice when needed (e.g., complex presentations, uncertainty, deterioration, safeguarding, or when management needs to change).
Band 6 Orthoptist (autonomous clinician managing complexity and risk): Youre expected to run clinics independently and take clear accountability for your clinical decision-making across a broader and more complex case mix. This includes assessing/diagnosing/managing patients with a wide range of binocular vision and VA abnormalities, organising and prioritising your workload, and acting as an advice resource within your specialist area. Band 6 roles commonly include managing a complex caseload and defined single-handed practice (e.g. community), with escalation to ophthalmology when required.
Band 7 Orthoptist (advanced practice plus leadership and service accountability): Youre expected to combine highly specialist clinical practice (often the go-to for complex assessment/diagnosis/management and second opinions) with leadership responsibilities that shape quality, safety, education, and service development. In practice, this means advanced autonomy and complex decision-making, contributing to guideline development/audit/service improvement, and providing senior supervision/teaching across the team and wider MDT. This aligns with the British and Irish Orthoptic Society advanced practice framing (four pillars: clinical, education, leadership, research) and the expectation that advanced practice is characterised by high autonomy and complex decision-making, typically underpinned by Masters-level capability.
Person Specification
Education & Qualification
Essential
* DBO in Orthoptics
* Degree in Orthoptics
* HCPC Registered - B7 only
Desirable
* Understanding of CPD
* Understanding of Visual field testing
Experience & Knowledge
Essential
* Role suitable for newly qualified Orthoptists
* Practices / supports evidence based practice.
* Previous experience in a hospital setting
* Knowledge of NHS waiting times, regulations, and access targets
* Good understanding of current performance targets and the impact of this to patient safety/care
* IT literate and experience working with PAS.
* Data handling and use of databases (e.g. MS Excel)
Desirable
* Experience of inter-professional teaching
* Experience in clinic and patient management/throughput.
Skills & Abilities
Essential
* Proven ability in clinical skills
* Good communication skills
* Excellent organisation and time management
* Ability to work under pressure and maintain high standards.
* Maintain / update knowledge of current clinical best practice / clinical audit / research and IT skills
Desirable
* Knowledge of a hospital administration system
Personal Qualities
Essential
* Team worker, who can prioritise effectively and to work autonomously when required.
* Flexible and adaptable, motivated with the ability to motivate others.
* Awareness of own limitations
* Ability to use initiative, referring key decisions as appropriate and understanding aim limitations.
* Flexible approach to working duties
* Attention to detail.
* Polite, respectful, and professional attitude and behaviour towards staff members, patients, and relatives
* Able to influence others and lead as a role model.
* Awareness of the need to maintain confidentially and abide to the data protection act
* Ability to travel to carry out duties of role.
Person Specification
Education & Qualification
Essential
* DBO in Orthoptics
* Degree in Orthoptics
* HCPC Registered - B7 only
Desirable
* Understanding of CPD
* Understanding of Visual field testing
Experience & Knowledge
Essential
* Role suitable for newly qualified Orthoptists
* Practices / supports evidence based practice.
* Previous experience in a hospital setting
* Knowledge of NHS waiting times, regulations, and access targets
* Good understanding of current performance targets and the impact of this to patient safety/care
* IT literate and experience working with PAS.
* Data handling and use of databases (e.g. MS Excel)
Desirable
* Experience of inter-professional teaching
* Experience in clinic and patient management/throughput.
Skills & Abilities
Essential
* Proven ability in clinical skills
* Good communication skills
* Excellent organisation and time management
* Ability to work under pressure and maintain high standards.
* Maintain / update knowledge of current clinical best practice / clinical audit / research and IT skills
Desirable
* Knowledge of a hospital administration system
Personal Qualities
Essential
* Team worker, who can prioritise effectively and to work autonomously when required.
* Flexible and adaptable, motivated with the ability to motivate others.
* Awareness of own limitations
* Ability to use initiative, referring key decisions as appropriate and understanding aim limitations.
* Flexible approach to working duties
* Attention to detail.
* Polite, respectful, and professional attitude and behaviour towards staff members, patients, and relatives
* Able to influence others and lead as a role model.
* Awareness of the need to maintain confidentially and abide to the data protection act
* Ability to travel to carry out duties of role.
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Address
West Suffolk Hospital
Hardwick lane
Bury St Edmunds
IP33 2QZ
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Address
West Suffolk Hospital
Hardwick lane
Bury St Edmunds
IP33 2QZ
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)