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Job summary

Main area
Orthoptics
Grade
Band 8a
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
320-SURG-1337
Employer
University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Queen's Hospital Burton
Town
Burton
Salary
£55,690 - £62,682 pa
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
06/04/2026 23:59
Interview date
20/04/2026

Employer heading

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust logo

Operational Lead Orthoptist

Band 8a

As a trusted organisation at the heart of our communities, we recognise the important role we can play in supporting the public, patients, our own people and local partners in achieving the best of health for the local population and the communities in which they live by providing Exceptional Care Together.

Our fundamental Values of Compassion, Openness and Excellence underpin how we intend to work as a Trust and the associated behaviours are becoming embedded in all aspects of how we work.

With over 14,000 members of staff you can expect huge variety and new opportunities every day! Our staff go above and beyond and take pride in caring for our patients.

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust is fully committed to promoting inclusion, equality, diversity and human rights in employment and delivery of its services.  The Trust is committed to providing an environment where all employees, patients, carers and visitors experience equality of opportunity by means of understanding and appreciating the value of diversity.

As a Trust we promote an inclusive environment and welcome applications from a diverse pool of talent and backgrounds.  All individuals are valued and given every opportunity to succeed based on merit.

The Trust actively encourages applications from members of our Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities. These groups are under-represented in our organisation, and it’s important to us that our workforce reflects the diversity of our communities as much as possible.

Armed Forces and Disability Confident guaranteed interview scheme

To further support the pledges in the Armed Forces Covenant and to make a positive contribution to support ex-armed forces personnel (veterans) make the transition to civilian life, the Trust has introduced a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for veterans who meets the essential criteria set out in the person specification, to help them overcome barriers to find civilian employment. The scheme will operate for all external recruitment.

The Trust is a Disability Confident Employer and committed to both employing and retaining people with disabilities.  This commitment is to guarantee an interview for any candidate that has disclosed a disability under the Equality Act 2010 and who meets the essential criteria set out in the person specification.  Reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010 will be considered upon request.

if you are blind or visually impaired and require application material in an alternative format- such as Braille, large print, audio or accessible electronic formats or  you require support/adjustments with your application please contact the recruitment team on  01332 788466

Join us and help make a real difference to our Trust.

Here’s more about the role and what we’re looking for; 

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced, dynamic and motivated Orthoptist to join our team as an Operational Lead Orthoptist.

 You will deputise for the Head Orthoptist across the whole of their roles and support with the smooth running of a high quality Orthoptic service by providing clinical and operational leadership for the teams at our Burton sites.

Current experience of supporting teams and individuals with their day-to-day roles and responsibilities, their ongoing development goals and any professional and personal challenges is essential.

 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 and who wishes to progress their leadership skills further whilst continuing to use your highly specialist clinical skills.

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: 6 April 2026

Date of interview: week commencing 20 April 2026 (STC)

Working for our organisation

As a trusted organisation at the heart of our communities, we recognise the important role we can play in supporting the public, patients, our own people and local partners in achieving the best of health for the local population and the communities in which they live by providing Exceptional Care Together

Our fundamental Values of Compassion, Openness and Excellence underpin how we intend to work as a Trust and the associated behaviours are becoming embedded in all aspects of how we work.

In return we will offer:

  • Development opportunities, both professional and leadership development
  • On-going support from recruitment to when you join our team and beyond.
  • Staff benefits including employee assistance programme, discounted gym membership, onsite fitness classes, car schemes

Key Facts:

  • We see on average 4810 OP appointments a day.
  • We are the 4th busiest Trauma & Orthopaedic outpatients department in England – an average of 2077 per week.
  • An average of 1115 patients are seen in A&Es across our network every day – 3rd largest in the country.
  • Our hospitals admit an average of 195 emergency patients daily.
  • Last year we undertook almost 33,700 planned surgical operations in our 57 operating theatres.
  • We are one of only 7 Trusts nationally with more than 50 operating theatres.
  • We carry out more than 140 elective procedures each working day.
  • UHDB is a research active University Hospital with a large and varied portfolio of clinical trials and research opportunities for all staff.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

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.

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

Person specification

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria
  • Significant clinical experience
  • Experience of leading a team at a senior clinical level
  • Current Leadership, organisational and negotiating skills.
Desirable criteria
  • Teaching qualification recognised by the Health Professions Council

Eduction and Training

Essential criteria
  • Degree or diploma in Orthoptics
  • Registration with Health and Care Professions Council,

Leadership

Essential criteria
  • Masters qualification in Healthcare Leadership or equivalent training/experience

Employer certification / accreditation badges

No smoking policyArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerCare Leaver CovenantStep into healthArmed Forces CovenantCareLeaver CovenantAge Friendly EmployerNational Preceptorship for Nursing Quality Mark 2024

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

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Francesca Wood
Job title
Head of Orthoptic Services
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01283 566333
Additional information

Alternative contact:

Michelle Wood Operational Lead Orthoptist Derby sites.

 

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