Job overview

We are excited to offer the opportunity for a motivated, reliable and  compassionate individual to join our team as an Apprentice Orthoptist. This paid degree apprenticeship has been designed to give you a deep understanding of vision, binocularity and a broad range of eye conditions, through a combination of online live teaching, work-based learning, clinical placement activities and “on the job” learning .

Upon completion you will become a qualified orthoptist with HCPC registration,  specialising in the diagnosis and management of a wide range of conditions relating to vision, strabismus (eye misalignment) and binocular function, as well as in supporting patients with reduced vision.  

You’ll spend 40% of your time learning on-line from passionate clinicians and researchers at the University of Sheffield, or on placements in alternative settings. The rest of your time you will be putting your learning into practice on the job with the enthusiastic and support orthoptic team at Plymouth Royal Eye Infirmary.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Main duties of the job

To conduct a range of orthoptic/ophthalmic procedures under the supervision of an Orthoptist and within agreed departmental protocols and guidelines, whilst developing skills and following a University Programme in Orthoptics.

The postholder will be expected to work independently and make decisions following defined algorithms and with access to support and advice, recognising the limits of their own responsibility in those areas for which they have trained and have been proved to be competent.

Please see job description attached for more details.

Working for our organisation

We are a people business – where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.