Job overview
Are you motivated & driven to deliver sustainable change and excellence in clinical care then we want to hear from you.
We are looking to appoint 2 full-time Specialist Orthoptists to come and join South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
The post will be based at The James Cook University Hospital with single-handed sessions undertaken each week across various sites which may include Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, Low Grange Middlesbrough & North Tees and Hartlepool.
If you do not meet the person specification for a Band 6, we will consider a Band 5 and we will develop you into a Band 6 Orthoptist.
Please note interviews will be taking place week commencing 10th August 2026.
Main duties of the job
As an autonomous practitioner, the post holder will provide high-quality, advanced specialised orthoptic assessment, diagnosis, and treatment as part of a busy multidisciplinary ophthalmology team across South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and various satellite sites.
The post holder will work both as an autonomous practitioner as well as part of the ophthalmology team including orthoptists, optometrists, ophthalmologists, ophthalmic technicians, and nurses, providing orthoptic practice to both paediatric and adult patients, including those with complex conditions.
The post holder will be responsible for the assessment, diagnosis, management, and treatment of patients referred to the Orthoptic department for patients of all ages using advanced clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice.
The post holder will be competent in the use of specialised examination techniques and equipment to provide a high-quality service.
The post holder may be required to help support other subspeciality specialist roles when required for e.g.; Paediatrics, Stroke, and Neuro-ophthalmology.
The post holder will also participate in undergraduate/postgraduate teaching provided by the ophthalmology service.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the full job description and person specification document(s) attached for main responsibilities of the role.
Person specification
Experience
Essential
- Up to date knowledge of current practice and techniques (B5/B6)
- Post-qualification practical clinical experience due to nature of role (B6)
- Continuing professional development. (B5/B6)
- Appropriate clinical experience and competence in relevant clinical setting which equips the post-holder to work in a clinical role. (B5/B6)
- Teaching and supervising Orthoptic undergraduates. (B6)
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, with patients and other professionals. Ability to communicate effectively with a broad range of patients and carers/relatives. Demonstrates flexibility and the ability to digress & adapt from current plans. (B5/B6)
- Excellent planning & organisational skills and good time management. (B6)
- Being able to make judgments relating to diagnosis and escalate findings where necessary. (B6)
- Organises own workload and appointments. (B5/B6)
- Able to carry out straightforward tasks. (B5/B6)
- Manual dexterity in the use of orthoptic equipment. (B5/B6)
- Ability to maintain clear and accurate patient records, written and electronic. (B5/B6)
- Observe Patient confidentiality, teamwork, self-motivated, mature and clinically experienced. (B5/B6)
- Ability to work single-handed. (B6)
- Ability to work within the requirements of the Code of practice and Professional Standards of the British and Irish Orthoptics Society (B5/B6)
- Demonstrates a good self-awareness of own role & levels of competence and awareness of responsibilities within a team. (B5/B6)
- Reliable and self-motivated approach to work and self-motivated approach to CPD (B5/B6)
- Ability to make decisions that will not cause any adverse situations at a later (B6)date.
- Good planning & organisational skills and good time management. (B5)
- Being able to make judgments relating to diagnosis. (B5)
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Up to date knowledge of current practice and techniques. (B5/B6)
- Evidence of continuing professional development. (B5/B6)
- Ability to make clinical decisions autonomously to best meet patient needs, available evidence and service needs. (B5/B6)
- IT Skills – Use of Microsoft office i.e. access, excel, outlook, PowerPoint & word. (B5/B6)
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- Diploma/degree in Orthoptics (B5/B6)
- HCPC registration (B5/B6)
- Evidence/experience of supervising and mentoring undergraduate Orthoptic students.(B6)
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Orthoptist / Specialist Orthoptist with South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Middlesbrough, North East and Yorkshire, England. It is listed as a Band 5 Orthoptist role. The advertised salary is £32,073 - £48,117 per annum. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 02 Aug 2026.
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