Deputy Head Orthoptist / Operational Lead Orthoptist

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced, motivated Orthoptist to join our team as a Deputy Head Orthoptist.

The Orthoptic team at UHDB is a team of Orthoptists, Diagnostic Ophthalmic technicians, Optometrists and Orthoptic administrators working across the Burton and Derbyshire sites who have recently been recognized in the UHDB Cultural Trail Blazer as one of the top 2 high performing teams for People Experience within the Surgery business unit. These results have been measured using the annual staff survey along with appraisal metrics, sickness rates and mandatory training compliance.

The successful post holder will deputise and provide support for the Head Orthoptist and will be based at the Burton sites to include Queens hospital Burton, Sir Robert Peel Hospital Tamworth and Samuel Johnson community Hospital Lichfield.

Main duties of the job

Undertaking highly skilled clinical duties and direct patient care as an highly experienced Orthoptist.   As part of your clinical role you will have a varied caseload of paediatric and adult motility and Orthoptic/Optometry led shared care clinics for amblyopia and strabismus.  You will also provide Orthoptic support to Eye Casualty, Neurology and Maxillo-Facial departments. The Orthoptic service also provides paediatric low vision services, paediatric special needs services, visual processing clinics and adult stroke services.

Providing professional support and guidance to clinical staff in all areas of Orthoptic clinical care and provision, including complex care.

Day-to-day management and leadership of a clinical team of Orthoptists and Diagnostic Ophthalmic Technicians. Including tasks such as rota management, absence management, personal development, resolving daily problems in the service and all types of line management

Working with other leaders in Orthoptics, Optometry, Ophthalmology  and other specialties within our organisation and partner organisations to help coordinate, lead and drive the Orthoptic and diagnostic service forward to meet the future needs of our local population and deliver service improvements.

Closing date of applications: 30 July 2026

Date of interview: 14 August 2026

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

This post combines highly specialist clinical skills with the day-to-day management of the service and is an ideal promotional opportunity for a motivated and aspiring Orthoptist currently undertaking leadership responsibilities who wishes to progress their leadership skills further whilst continuing to use embedded highly specialist clinical skills in both paediatric and adult Orthoptic assessment.

The successful post holder will play a key part in the delivery and ongoing development of a high‑quality Orthoptic service providing both clinical and operational leadership to the Orthoptic and Ophthalmic Technician teams and work collaboratively with other Ophthalmology leaders and clinicians including the Deputy Head Orthoptist based at the Derbyshire sites to achieve shared goals for Orthoptics and Ophthalmology and to ensure safe, effective, and patient‑centred care. They will be involved in the current service developments within Ophthalmology and the wider Trust, including the implementation of Nervecentre EPR and Medisight, and will also be a key contributor to the implementation of high-volume Ophthalmology diagnostic lanes for glaucoma and medical retina which are due to be implemented in the autumn.

The successful candidate will bring current experience of supporting colleagues in their day‑to‑day roles, demonstrate the Trust values of Compassion, Excellence and Openness, provide compassionate care, inclusive leadership, and support with professional development within the teams.

Experience of Ophthalmic diagnostic testing is advantageous as the successful post holder will provide leadership support to the Lead Diagnostic Ophthalmic Technician and the Ophthalmic Technician team.

We welcome applications from individuals who value inclusive leadership, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Candidates who have applied for this vacancy within the last 3 months and were unsuccessful at any stage of the recruitment process should not reapply unless you can demonstrate additional relevant skills, qualifications or experience acquired since your previous application.

Please see attached Job description and Person Specification. To apply please click APPLY FOR THIS JOB – this link will take you to the TRAC Recruitment Site. You will need to register if you do not already have an account.

UHDB is committed to fair and transparent recruitment. We welcome authentic applications that reflect your own skills, experience and motivations for the role. While we understand that candidates may use AI tools for grammar, formatting or accessibility purposes, applications that appear to be substantially AI generated may be subject to additional review. If this applies to your submission, we will let you know and may ask for clarification. Please ensure your application accurately represents your experience and is written in your own words.

Following the recent update on UK immigration policy for those on a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, please click on the link to check your eligibility before applying for this post as we may be unable to provide sponsorship Impacts of the changes to the UK immigration policy | NHS Employers

Your application (for shortlisting purposes) is assessed based on the Person Specification in the job advert (below).