Specialist Orthoptist

Job summary

This post is ideal for an experienced Band 6 Orthoptist looking to broaden their specialist skills, but we would also welcome applications from an ambitious Band 5 Orthoptist who is ready to take the next step in their career. The department is committed to supporting professional development and offers opportunities to develop an extended role within Glaucoma, Medical Retina, Intravitreal Injection Clinics, Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) Clinics or Botulinum Toxin clinics for blepharospasm. This is an excellent opportunity to build specialist expertise within a supportive and forward-thinking service.

Main duties of the job

For more detail about the main duties of this role, please see the job description section below. As a key member of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, you will be joining an exceptional team working together to help our patients to stay healthy, when they need it most.

About us

Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford).

Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within peoples own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).

Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.

Its never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as youll help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.

Details

• Date posted: 25 August 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 7
• Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year per annum pro rata
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: 185-839-14049
• Job locations: Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 4JB, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.

More detail about the role

We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Orthoptist to join our friendly and supportive team. This is an exciting opportunity to work across a varied paediatric and adult caseload, delivering high-quality Orthoptic care within a multidisciplinary ophthalmology service.

The successful candidate will work as an autonomous practitioner, independently assessing, diagnosing and managing patients with a wide range of ocular motility disorders, binocular vision anomalies, amblyopia, strabismus, visual developmental disorders and neuro-ophthalmic conditions.

Main duties include:

• Working as an autonomous practitioner to assess, diagnose, manage and monitor patients referred to the Orthoptic service.
• Providing specialist Orthoptic assessment and treatment for paediatric and adult patients with ocular motility defects, binocular vision disorders, amblyopia and diplopia.
• Undertaking comprehensive Orthoptic investigations, including visual acuity assessment, binocular vision assessment and ocular motility examinations..
• Managing complex patients and determining appropriate treatment pathways in conjunction with consultant ophthalmologists and the wider multidisciplinary team.
• Participating in specialist clinics, including paediatric ophthalmology, neuro-ophthalmology, adult motility and one-stop vision screening clinics.
• Providing advice, education and support to patients, families, carers and healthcare professionals.
• Contributing to service development, audit and quality improvement initiatives.
• Maintaining accurate clinical records in accordance with Trust and professional standards.
• Supporting the supervision and training of our first Orthoptic Apprentice.
• Participating in teaching and educational activities for medical students and other healthcare professionals when opportunities arise.
• Maintaining professional competence through continuing professional development and clinical supervision.
• Supporting service delivery across community and hospital sites as required.

Development Opportunities

We are committed to supporting professional development and career progression. The successful candidate will have opportunities to develop extended clinical roles in a specialist area of their choice including Glaucoma, Medical Retina, Intravitreal Injection Clinics, Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) Clinics and Botulinum Toxin clinics for blepharospasm. There will also be opportunities to develop clinical education and leadership skills, including involvement in student training, supervision and possible progression towards a Clinical Tutor role within our supportive and forward-thinking department.

About Us

The Orthoptic Department provides a comprehensive service for paediatric and adult patients and works closely with Ophthalmology colleagues to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care. You will join a supportive team of Orthoptists, Orthoptic Assistants, Optometrists, Nurses and Ophthalmologists committed to innovation, service development and staff development.

Working Pattern:[3 x 9.5hr days and 1 x 9hr day

Interview Date: TBC

For further information please contact: Susan Thorne, Head Orthoptist on 01271 322469 susanthorne@nhs.net

As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Preference will be given to staff with Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

Benefits

We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.

This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we'll help you get there.

Looking after you is important to us.

We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.

If you're starting out in the NHS, you'll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.

You'll benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.

Salary is not the only financial benefit

You'll have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers.

You will also have access to other benefits including:

National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.

Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter

Car lease schemes.

The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).

Cycle to work scheme

These are just a few of the benefits available if the role is something you are interested in, we'd love to hear from you.