Job overview
We are seeking a highly experienced, motivated and enthusiastic orthoptist to lead the development and provision of the specialist Orthoptic Stroke and Neuro services at Epsom & St Helier Hospitals
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will join a forward-thinking team of 9 orthoptists, 5 optometrists and 15 consultant ophthalmologists, three of which specialise in paediatric ophthalmology and adult strabismus. The post will include both outpatient clinics and patient assessment on the stroke ward. The outpatient clinical workload will include specialist paediatric clinics, adult motility and neuro ophthalmology and stroke clinics. The postholder will work alongside the Head Orthoptist to develop an Orthoptic supported Falls service within the Trust. They will liaise with Consultant Geriatricians and leads for falls services within the Trust to develop and embed new service provision, including monitoring of service provision by Band 6 Orthoptists.
Working for our organisation
St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group cares for a population of four million people in South West London and North East Surrey. Our sites include St George’s Hospital, one of 11 major trauma centres in the UK and the largest healthcare provider and major teaching hospital in the area; St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children; and Epsom Hospital, home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC).
After years of collaboration, our two Trusts became a hospitals group in 2021. While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education, and training of our 17,000-strong workforce.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For an overview of the main duties of the role please refer to the job description and person specification.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Degree in Orthoptics, State registration with the HCPC
2. Level 7 Qualification, Masters/Apprenticeship in relevant topic / Liverpool or Sheffield university Masters or Advanced Clinical Practice modules in stroke/ neuro orthoptics and ophthalmology
Desirable criteria
3. Member of BIOS Stroke/Neuro CAG
Experience
Essential criteria
4. Demonstrate sound clinical knowledge in a full range of orthoptic practice.
5. Significant post graduate Orthoptic experience.
Desirable criteria
6. Experience of developing inpatient services and liaising with other specialities to provide services across MDT boundaries.
7. Experience using the Visual Impairment Screening Assessment (VISA) tool
Skills
Essential criteria
8. Excellent communication skills, Team worker Good time management Ability to input into service developments with awareness of national policy and guidance.
Desirable criteria
9. Computer Literacy
Your recruitment team
The NHS South West London Recruitment Hub is your dedicated recruitment team, here to support you at every stage of the process. If you have a query, please contact us:
E:
Your application
Please ensure your supporting statement clearly reflects the job description and person specification, as shortlisting will be based on these criteria.
Please refer to the latest UKVI guidance and ensure you have the appropriate right to work before applying for this role.
Use of Artificial Intelligence
We kindly ask that you avoid using AI tools to draft your application. We value authentic, individual responses that reflect your own experience and communication style.
References
Please provide a minimum of 3 years’ employment and/or education history, including professional email addresses (not personal accounts such as Hotmail or Gmail). If you cannot provide these, please inform the interview panel to avoid delays in pre-employment checks.
Closing date
To help us manage recruitment efficiently, some vacancies may close early once we have received a sufficient number of applications.
Shortlisting
If you are successfully shortlisted, you will be contacted by email or SMS from the South West London Recruitment Hub. Please check your registered TRAC email regularly.
Application feedback
If you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has not been successful on this occasion.
Safeguarding and DBS Checks
We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. For roles with direct access to these groups, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be required. All staff are expected to understand and uphold their safeguarding responsibilities as part of their role.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Application numbers
This vacancy may have an application cap, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment. Ensure your supporting statement clearly shows how you meet the job specifications.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
NameJoanna ThompsonJob titleOrthoptic ACPEmail addressTelephone number0208 296 2000