Overview
We are looking for an experienced Orthoptist to join our community‑based team of 12 Orthoptists and six Orthoptic Support Workers. The role involves providing treatment in both acute and community settings across Bedfordshire, working from the community hubs at Liverpool Road Health Centre in Luton or Kempston Health Centre in Bedford, and travelling frequently to hospital and community clinics.
Responsibilities
1. Be professionally responsible and accountable for the management of orthoptic patients in Bedfordshire as an autonomous practitioner.
2. Assess, diagnose, treat and manage patient referrals including paediatric visual disorders, ocular motility disorders and congenital developmental abnormalities.
3. Formulate specialist individualised management and treatment plans using advanced clinical reasoning and a wide range of treatment skills.
4. Assess patients pre‑ and post‑operatively, discuss surgery options with the Consultant Ophthalmologist, and assist with postoperative adjustable suture techniques.
5. Diagnose and treat children with special needs in community and multidisciplinary clinics.
6. Advise patients, relatives and carers on prognosis, visual outcomes and potential complications.
7. Support and advise Orthoptic Support Workers (OSW) in delivering the 4‑5 year school vision screening service.
8. Promote early intervention and treatment of childhood eye problems.
9. Offer advice and support in clinic and over the telephone, and address queries from patients, carers and other health professionals.
10. Assess, diagnose and manage children presenting with visually related reading difficulties.
11. Undertake specialised assessment of patients admitted to the Stroke ward and manage any ophthalmological conditions.
12. Contribute to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) for patients with special educational needs.
13. Triage new referrals prioritising urgency.
14. Direct referrals appropriately to the Consultant Ophthalmologist, Specialist Optometrist or Orthoptist Team Leader.
15. Analyse and formulate treatment plans for complex ocular movement disorders.
16. Analyse patients referred from other specialists and contribute to multidisciplinary care plans.
17. Assess and interpret visual fields using Goldmann Field Perimeter and forward results to relevant medical teams.
18. Maintain and check clinical records on SystmOne.
19. Work independently in busy community children’s clinics, referring selected patients for ophthalmic/optometric care.
20. Provide support for the Orthoptist Team Leaders, acting as deputy in her absence and assisting with the monitoring and implementation of professional and organisational quality standards.
Other Key Responsibilities
* Planning: Prioritise and organise own clinical caseload, book appointments on SystmOne and organise joint clinics.
* Policy Development: Contribute to the improvement of the service and development of agreed policies and guidelines.
* Information Resources: Collate statistics, maintain accurate patient records, and comply with Trust IT and Records‑Keeping policies.
* Communication: Provide clear information to patients, carers and professional teams, and manage transfer of information between sites.
* Budgetary Responsibilities: Oversee clinical equipment, report faults, manage stock levels and submit invoices for clinical supplies.
* People Management: Maintain own professional development, mentor newly qualified Orthoptists, and support undergraduate Orthoptic students.
Qualifications
* Degree in Orthoptics or equivalent.
* Registration with the HCPC.
* Membership of the British and Irish Orthoptic Society (BIOS).
* Experience in orthoptics within both acute and community settings.
* Ability to resolve clinical and non‑clinical queries.
* Strong communication skills to impart knowledge to the team.
* Desire to exceed expectations and engage in continuous professional development.
Benefits and Working Conditions
* Opportunities for flexible working.
* Specialist clinical roles such as special needs assessment, stroke ward assessment, stroke outpatient clinics, Goldmann assessment, vision therapy and clinical teaching.
* Acute clinic with Ophthalmologist (adults and paediatric patients).
* Competitive benefits and in‑house staff services.
* Work within a highly rated Trust recognised by the Care Quality Commission.
* Innovative service aimed at enhancing patient experience and supporting staff engagement and development.
Location
Based in the community at Liverpool Road Health Centre in Luton, or Kempston Health Centre in Bedford, with frequent travel to the Luton and Dunstable Hospital, Moorfields at Bedford Hospital and other community clinics throughout Bedfordshire.
Application Deadline
This advert closes on Sunday 12 Apr 2026.
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