Experienced Orthoptist

Job overview

Are you an experienced orthoptist or newly qualified in your early career?  Are you looking to gain experience in a broad range of routine and more complex conditions across both paediatric and adult orthoptics?  If so don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to join our large, friendly and supportive team.

As one of the country’s leading Ophthalmology units, the Newcastle Eye Centre continually improves how it offers high quality services for patients, and excellent career satisfaction for its staff.

Our visionary approach includes working closely with our consultant colleagues and other eye professionals to ensure we can provide healthcare at its best with people at our heart and we would love to hear from those who share our vision of collaborative working.

• Interview Date : 8 July 2026
• 37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week
• You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy.  Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy

NO AGENCIES PLEASE

Main duties of the job

• To assess and diagnose adult and paediatric cases registered within Orthoptics/Ophthalmology
• Create and deliver specialised individual treatment programmes as agreed with the client
• To demonstrate Orthoptics to orthoptic undergraduates and other health professionals and junior medical staff
• To work within the Directorate of Ophthalmology, a teaching facility and tertiary referral centre for patients with complex eye problems
• To work as a member of the multidisciplinary team in a supported environment
• Responsible for patients undergoing orthoptic treatment as in-patients or out-patients and to liaise with experienced orthoptists regarding problems arising
• To individually and/or in conjunction with colleagues, formulate individualised treatment plans for children and adults attending routine and specialist clinics
• Generate comprehensive patient records to reflect the Trust standard
• Provide advice to patients/carers regarding care and treatment
• Incorporate research-based evidence into orthoptic practice
• Work within the scope and code of professional practice
• Observe clinical guidelines and work within specific protocols where appropriate

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Our Orthoptic Department is no exception and we are delighted to be in a position to seek 1 WTE Orthoptist to join the large team at the Royal Victoria Infirmary. We have a diverse clinical workload including paediatrics, adult motility, neuro-ophthalmology, thyroid and oculo-plastics in both community and hospital settings as well as involvement in pre-school orthoptic assessment clinics.

Such a comprehensive range of services means we are in the enviable position of being able to offer opportunities for training and development in specific areas of interest, according to service need, plus exceptional opportunities for continuing professional development (CPD) as we seek to ensure every member of our staff is provided with the relevant training and support needed to liberate their potential.

Other duties include provision of post graduate training across a wide range of disciplines including Orthoptic under-graduates, pre-registration Optometrists, nursing staff, and junior medical staff preparing for Royal College of Ophthalmologists exams and participation in clinical and medical audit and research.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work within a large tertiary referral centre and applications are welcomed from newly and recently qualified Orthoptists. Consideration will be given to applicants who do not meet the criteria for Band 6 who meet the criteria for appointment at Band 5.

Appointment in these circumstances will be subject to satisfactory completion of a specified period of supervision and training before moving to Band 6. If appointed at Band 5, to attain Band 6 you will be required to have significant post-graduate experience and achieve a portfolio of evidence demonstrating specialist skills and experience necessary for clinical assessment within orthoptic subspecialties (e.g. neuro-ophthalmology, thyroid, neonatal, genetics). Failure to attain the significant post-graduate experience and portfolio of evidence within 18 months of date of appointment may result in a review of your employment.

A Degree or Diploma in Orthoptics and State Registration with the HCPC is essential. A car driver/owner is desirable.

There is huge scope for personal and professional progression here in Newcastle. If you think this is a role you would relish then we would love to hear from you.

Job Purpose

Band 6

• As an autonomous practitioner to accept, assess and diagnose adult and paediatric cases and make appropriate referrals
• To be responsible for the routine organisation of orthoptic services within outreach clinics and orthoptic screening
• Creating and delivering specialised individual treatment programmes as agreed with the client
• To teach orthoptics to orthoptic undergraduates and other health professionals and junior medical staff

Band 5

• To assess and diagnose adult and paediatric cases registered with the ophthalmologist
• Creating and delivering specialised individual treatment programmes as agreed with the client
• To demonstrate orthoptics to orthoptic undergraduates and other health professionals and junior medical staff