Orthoptist Band 5/6, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
The closing date is 05 May 2026.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated orthoptist to join our team of 17 orthoptists, as an Orthoptist. The Ophthalmology Unit in Leicester employs 26 Consultant Ophthalmologists including four paediatric ophthalmologists with a specialist interest in neuro ophthalmology.
The Orthoptic Department sees a wide range of patients, including complex thyroid, neurology and other ocular motility disorders and receives referrals from other specialties including maxillofacial, endocrinology and paediatrics. Combined care paediatric clinics are held with the orthoptists and optometrists working closely together to manage new patients.
Extended roles include Goldmann and Humphrey visual field testing, biometry, intra‑ocular pressure measurements, orthoptics‑led pituitary clinics and orthoptics‑led paediatric cyst clinics. We have a dedicated team of orthoptists, optometrists and doctors providing high quality of care service for paediatric cataract patients.
New graduates welcome to apply – salary will be amended to Band 5.
Main duties of the job
The Orthoptic Department also provides a service in the peripheral community hospitals in both Leicestershire and Rutland. As well as orthoptic clinics the orthoptists work in conjunction with the ophthalmologists in general ophthalmology clinics and cataract clinics.
University Hospitals of Leicester is a clinical placement centre for undergraduate orthoptists and regularly has students on placement. Clinical teaching for medical students and pre‑registration optometrists is a routine part of the work.
Applicants must hold either a degree or diploma in orthoptics recognised by the HCPC. If you have the drive to provide an excellent patient experience, and enthusiasm for personal and professional development, we are waiting to hear from you.
This role is essential to the delivery of the service and candidates will be expected to work closely with other departments within the Trust to provide high quality, holistic patient‑centred care. Due to the large volume of activity, there may be some evening and weekend work. A recognised clinical teaching qualification and some previous management or leadership experience are preferable.
The successful applicant will be involved in all aspects of the department's clinical work depending on experience.
Job responsibilities
* To take responsibility as an autonomous practitioner for the orthoptic assessment, diagnosis and treatment of all patients referred to the service from various specialities. This takes place mainly, though not solely, in an outpatient setting.
* To formulate and monitor individual management and treatment plans for patients of all ages using advanced clinical reasoning and to communicate these effectively with the patient, parent or carer to gain informed consent. This includes children and adults with communication and learning difficulties as well as ocular motility and visual defects.
* To initiate treatment and management of squint and amblyopia using individual treatment plans. This includes treating infants and children with significant sight problems and requires a considerable degree of empathy and family support. Communication may be difficult with many patients, either due to language or other comprehension barriers.
* To assess patients referred from other specialties and departments e.g., neurology, maxillo‑facial, paediatrics, eye casualty and using specialist knowledge formulate an accurate diagnosis and future programme of care, including advice to medical colleagues. This group of patients often have complex medical conditions, congenital or developmental abnormalities, as well as acute ocular motility defects.
* To instil Prescription Only Medicine eye drops according to departmental Patient Group Directions. This will include very young babies and young children as well as adults.
* To undertake orthoptic/optometry combined care clinics, taking direct referrals and then from the results of assessment make diagnoses and clinical management decisions, to include referral to consultant clinics or discharge.
* To undertake pre and post‑operative measurements of ocular motility defects, on which to base the timing and type of operation, and to discuss surgical options with the ophthalmic surgeon.
* To carry out roles in the department of ophthalmology consistent with the extended role of the orthoptist, using specialist knowledge of refraction and binocular vision as well as ocular and neuro anatomy and physiology.
* To assist with visual field clinics as necessary using the Humphrey automated perimeter and manual Goldmann as required.
* To undertake biometry and assessment of patients in two‑stop cataract clinics or pre‑assessment clinics.
* To maintain accurate, detailed clinical records, in either electronic form or handwritten in accordance with departmental policy, of all patients seen.
Peripheral Clinic Duties
* To be responsible for the provision and development of the orthoptic service, including the extended roles for one of the peripheral hospitals and to ensure that developments are implemented satisfactorily.
* To carry out roles within the peripheral hospital ophthalmology clinics using specialist knowledge consistent with the extended role of the orthoptist e.g. visual field assessment, biometry as part of the cataract assessment clinics and tonometry.
* To keep Head Orthoptist informed of all developments.
* To liaise with the Head Orthoptist to ensure adequate staffing levels during planned periods of absence in the designated peripheral clinic.
* To inform peripheral hospital managers of developments in technology so that equipment can be purchased to ensure the best level of service.
* To provide professional advice to other health care workers in the ophthalmic team.
* To organise and manage all pre and post clinic administration, documentation, correspondence and statistics.
* To plan and prioritise own workload and to adjust the orthoptic clinics to maintain appropriate number of patients and send appointments accordingly.
* To represent the peripheral orthoptic service on relevant local committees.
* To report Health and Safety issues to the hospital manager.
Service Delivery & Development
* To assist in the clinical teaching of undergraduate orthoptists appropriate to their needs using a variety of methods.
* To liaise with school nurses, health visitors, social workers, peripatetic teachers of the visually impaired and medical staff in the hospital and community, via the Head Orthoptist if necessary.
* To assist in the teaching of pre‑registration optometrists, medical students, junior doctors, nurses, health visitors and other healthcare workers to the appropriate level.
* To maintain accurate and contemporaneous records of own CPD.
* To organise and participate in local and national audits.
* To comply with local and national policies and standards.
* To offer support and assistance to more junior orthoptists.
Governance
* To comply with local clinical protocols and policies and participate in their annual review. Take responsibility for alerting the Head Orthoptist to any breaches or operational concerns.
* To participate in the staff appraisal scheme as appraisee and to act as appraiser for non‑registered technical staff.
* To understand and work within all agreed hospital policies where they relate to patients, visitors and staff, safety and welfare.
* To report accidents or untoward incidents involving patients, visitors or staff immediately following their occurrence.
* To have a full working knowledge of all fire escapes, fire equipment and fire procedures involving areas of work.
* To ensure place of work is a safe working environment. Actively contribute to infection control procedures within the working environment. Report all hazards that could involve patients, visitors or staff to the Head Orthoptist.
* To comply with Trust requirements for mandatory training including fire lecture, manual handling, CPR, child protection and incident reporting.
Risk Management and Patient Safety
* Use specialist knowledge, skills and innovative practice in order to provide a high standard of patient care and maintain patient safety.
* Actively promote infection prevention and control awareness using best practice to reduce the potential for cross infection.
* Use programmes of effective and relevant education to promote staff compliance with policies, practices and patient safety.
* To comply with local clinical protocols and policies and participate in their annual review. Take responsibility for alerting the Head Orthoptist to any breaches or operational concerns.
* To participate in the staff appraisal scheme as appraisee.
* To understand and work within all agreed hospital policies where they relate to patients, visitors and staff, safety and welfare.
* To report accidents or untoward incidents involving patients, visitors or staff to the Head Orthoptist or their delegated deputy, immediately following their occurrence and complete a DATIX form.
* To have a full working knowledge of all fire escapes, fire equipment and fire procedures involving areas of work.
* To ensure place of work is a safe working environment. Actively contribute to infection control procedures within the working environment. Report all hazards that could involve patients, visitors or staff to the head orthoptist.
* To comply with Trust requirements for mandatory training.
Research
To assist with recruitment of participants for the research team at University of Leicester.
Person Specification
Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours
* Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's Values and Behaviours.
Training & Qualifications
* BSc in Orthoptics, BMedSci in Orthoptics or other recognised qualification (Diploma in Orthoptics).
* Completion of BIOS approved teaching course.
* Postgraduate study at Master's level.
* To be able to supply and administer medicines under exemptions.
Experience
* Significant experience working within paediatric uveitis, Stroke and Neuro clinics.
* Evidence of an interest in CPD and the extended role.
* Experience of devising and implementing audits.
* Significant Postgraduate experience and leadership role within specialist Orthoptic Adult and paediatric clinics.
* Experience as a Clinical Tutor/supervising Undergraduates, implementing teaching and learning models.
Communication and relationship skills
* Able to communicate effectively with members of the multi‑disciplinary team, patients, their carers and families both in written and verbal form.
Knowledge
* Knowledge of NHS structure.
* In‑depth knowledge of sight‑threatening conditions.
* Evidence of specialist knowledge of Neuro-Ophthalmology as well as related guidelines.
* Budgetary awareness.
Skills
* Team worker and able to manage own workload.
* Ability to work under pressure and absorb extra eye casualty patients.
* Understand the importance of confidentiality in all forms.
* Able to work in low lighting levels.
* Able to assess patients in all settings.
Planning and organisation skills
* Good time management and able to meet realistic deadlines set.
* Ability to multi‑task and switch quickly from one task to another.
Other requirements specific to the role
* Car owner/driver.
* Flexibility of working patterns to fit in with departmental needs.
Analytical and Judgement skills
* Able to relate theory to practice.
* Ability to extract relevant information from literature/reports.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
* Able to demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs.
* All staff are expected to engage in compassionate and inclusive leadership in the provision of high quality care and interactions with others.
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.
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