Job summary
- Main area
- Orthoptics
- Grade
- Band 6
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 430-SURG26-1051A
- Employer
- Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Orthoptics (Dept)
- Town
- Milton Keynes
- Salary
- £39,959 - £48,117 Per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 26/10/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Specialist Orthoptist
Band 6
At Milton Keynes University Hospital, you will be welcomed into a friendly and supportive environment where teamwork and respect are at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to live our Trust values and behaviours every day, creating a culture where everyone feels heard and valued.
MKUH staff's Motivation and Involvement scores are among the highest in our peer group, showing that our people feel inspired and included in decision-making (Staff Survey, 2024).
Our benefits
We believe in recognising and rewarding the amazing contribution of our staff and that is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, work-life balance, and professional growth, including:
- Free on-site parking including EV charging
- Complimentary refreshments
- Flexible working arrangements
- Discounted gym membership
- Salary sacrifice car scheme
- Generous annual leave, with the option to bank holiday entitlement
- Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme
- On-site nursery (charges apply)
- A wide-ranging staff health and wellbeing programme including EAP
- VIVUP products to support your mental, physical, and financial Wellbeing
Job overview
Specialist Orthoptist
Department: Orthoptics
Band: 6 £39,959 - £48,117 per annum. Pro rata if part-time
Hours: 37.5 per week. All MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic orthoptist to join our friendly and supportive team of 6 orthoptists as part of a wider multidisciplinary eye clinic. The MKUH ophthalmology department is in a new Community Diagnostic Centre 5 minutes away from the main hospital site within the city centre. It comprises of orthoptic rooms, consulting rooms, optometry rooms, treatment rooms and a theatre.
Orthoptists with relevant previous clinical experience will be recruited to band 6, with the opportunity to undertake and develop skills in extended roles (depending on departmental requirements). These specialist areas may include SEN clinics, biometry, intravitreal injections, paediatric ECLO and stroke ward work.
New graduate orthoptists are also welcome to apply and will be appointed at band 5 level and work through a clinical skills toolkit to help their career development. The department has supported and mentored new graduates who benefit from our preceptorship scheme which has enabled them to develop to a band 6 role. We have a recognised BIOS mentor and are actively involved in both CPD and clinical audit.
Informal enquiries are welcome. Please contact: Maneeta Morarji Head Orthoptist on 01908 995526 option 5 or e-mail [email protected]
Interview date: 10 November 2026
Main duties of the job
Allied Health Professionals experience a high diverse and equal work environment, supporting this with 8.33 out of 10. ''NHS Survey, 2024''
'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'
To provide orthoptic services as an autonomous practitioner, working within professional guidelines and policies, to provide a comprehensive and competent orthoptic service to both paediatric and adult patients within the hospital and other locations as required.
To provide assessment, diagnosis, management and treatment of patients presenting with a wide range of ophthalmic and ocular motility disorders.
Undertake one or more specialised orthoptic clinic roles such as stroke, orthoptic screening, intravitreal injections, ECLO, biometry clinics and assessment of children with additional needs (special educational needs / visual impairment / specific learning difficulties).
To independently assess and manage complex neurological patients, referring on to the consultant ophthalmologist as required.
Participate in departmental education programme, including the training of orthoptic undergraduate students, pre-registration optometrists, junior doctors, health visitors, school nurses and others.
To act as a source of expertise on the management of ocular motility disorders to patients, other healthcare professionals, GPs and consultants
Working for our organisation
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a “Good” rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.
As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.
We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre. We have just opened the Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards.
Further investment is underway, including the recently approved Women and Children’s Centre, set to open by 2030.
Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital -
For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Join #TeamSurgery at Milton Keynes University Hospital
The surgery division at MKUH, which covers specialties including theatres and the Intensive Care Unit, offers a variety of roles and opportunities, both clinical and non-clinical. The division are looking for passionate, enthusiastic and forward-thinking professionals to join the team.
MKUH is one of the leading hospitals in Europe for implementing robotics to assist in surgery, becoming the first in the continent to use the CMR Versius robot for gynaecological surgery. Since its introduction in 2019, the theatres team have completed over 500 surgical cases, the first hospital in the UK to reach this milestone, achieving this in March 2023.
As well as being an innovator in robotics, the Trust is proud to be part of the New Hospital Programme, with plans to expand and increase our surgical capacity to meet the health needs of our communities now and in the future.
With a leading benefits package, and a growing hospital estate to meet one of the fastest growing populations in the country, it is a great time to join MKUH.
Find out more about working in #TeamSurgery at MKUH from the people who work across the division in the video below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mYel-Y9nrU
Clinical responsibilities
Work autonomously, within professional boundaries, taking sole responsibility for the orthoptic assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients referred from ophthalmology including booked urgent service, vision screening, paediatrics, stroke, and maxillofacial services. This will include babies, children and adults with varied complexity of medical conditions and neurological disorders.
Assess and diagnose paediatric and adult new and follow up patients. Develop and manage a specialised programme of care appropriate to the needs of the individual patient. This involves using clinical reasoning and a wide range of treatment skills, communicating effectively with patients and parents / carers. Assess understanding and gaining informed consent to the recommended treatment plan. Adhere to any national and local guidelines
Duties include one or more of the following (depending on specific departmental requirements and training):
Carry out A-scan biometry and contact / immersion measurements using specialised equipment. Perform IOP and keratometry measurements and instil eye drops as required. Liaise with the ophthalmologist regarding accurate power selection of intra-ocular lens implant. Take personal responsibility for correct machine calibration and follow guidelines to minimise possible infection risks.
To assist the surgeon with specialised A-scan immersion biometry as part of the MDT team in theatre for patients under GA. This requires taking accurate measurements to assist the surgeon with complex patients with high-risk co-morbidities during cataract surgery.
NON-CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Work as an effective member of the orthoptic team, liaising with the Deputy Head Orthoptist regarding clinic management and staff deployment.
Triage referrals into the Orthoptic department according to departmental policy. Log referral details onto orthoptic database.
Communication
To have excellent and highly developed communication skills with all staff, patients, and parents / carers of patients.
Utilise and demonstrate sensitive communication styles, to ensure patients are fully informed prior to consent for treatment
Personal Development
Recognise and work within own competence and professional code of conduct as regulated by the HCPC.
Understand own role and scope and identify how this may develop over time.
Delivering a quality service
Deliver care according to NSF, CQC, NICE guidelines and evidence-based care.
Produce accurate, contemporaneous and complete records of patient consultation, consistent with legislation, policies and procedures
Team working
Actively promote the workplace as a learning environment, encouraging everyone to learn from each other and from external good practice.
Support and encourage colleagues with development and training. Be able to challenge any complacency or actions that are not in the interest of the public and/or users of services.
Please refer to the attached job description for further information
Person specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential criteria
- Degree/Diploma in Orthoptics
- HCPC Registration
Desirable criteria
- BIOS membership
Experience
Essential criteria
- Evidence of participation in a variety of paediatric orthoptic clinic scenarios
- Experience of adult orthoptic assessment
Desirable criteria
- Previous experience in SEN clinics
- Previous experience in biometry clinics
- Use of ophthalmic equipment (eg Goldmann, IOL master, auto refractor, focimeter)
- Experience in teaching other health care professionals
- Audit / presentation experience
- CPD evidence
- Knowledge of safeguarding
Skills
Essential criteria
- Ability to work autonomously and take responsibility for own caseload, working on own initiative
- Ability to seek advice and guidance where necessary from senior colleagues
- Effective time management and prioritisation skills
Personal and people development
Essential criteria
- To be approachable, enthusiastic and able to work under pressure
- To show a willingness and ability to learn and develop new skills in line with departmental requirements
- Willingness to teach/train new staff members, students, and other staff when appropriate
Communication
Essential criteria
- Excellent communication skills with all patients and staff, both verbal and written
- Ability to communicate with all age groups of patients
- Ability to communicate with various staff at different levels
Specific requirements
Essential criteria
- Able to work as part of a team
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Maneeta Morarji
- Job title
- Head Orthoptist
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01908 995526
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