Job summary
- Main area
- Orthoptics
- Grade
- Band 6
- Contract
- Fixed term: 12 months (Maternity Cover - Contract will end mid April 2027)
- Hours
- Part time - 22.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 438-PB4046
- Employer
- Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Royal Preston Hospital
- Town
- Preston
- Salary
- £39,959 - £48,117 per annum, pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 01/05/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Specialist Orthoptist - SEN and VPD Support
Band 6
Job overview
Are you an Orthoptist looking to develop your understanding and skills within the area of Paediatric Ophthalmology?
Do you enjoy working not only in the out-patient hospital environment but also within a community clinic and SEN school setting?
Have you got a passion for promoting the work of the Orthoptist to others?
If the answer is YES to the above then we have the perfect job for you!
We are looking to recruit an Orthoptist for a period of 12 months to cover maternity leave, you will support our Orthoptic Sub-speciality Leads and work alongside other specialist Orthoptists already involved in this caseload, as well as undertaking various additional orthoptic hospital and community clinics and the chance to be involved in orthoptic teaching that the whole team participate in.
This is an amazing opportunity for an Orthoptist with experience of core orthoptics , along with experience in the SEN and VPD caseload with a passion for education to join our well-established team to provide not only an excellent standard of care to all patients but to develop themselves within a sub-speciality role too.
Main duties of the job
To support the Orthoptic SEN and VPD Lead to provide clinical assessment, management and multidisciplinary working in the hospital outpatient, community and school setting for individuals who have a SEN or VPD diagnosis.
Responsible for providing specialised Orthoptic services as an autonomous practitioner within the hospital setting and community outreach clinics, accepting direct referral of patients of all ages who have a wide spectrum of ocular motility disorders and visual problems.
To assess, diagnose, manage and treat patients of all ages referred to the Orthoptist, being responsible for the instigation of follow-up care and/or onward referral to the sub-speciality Orthoptists/Optometrists/Ophthalmologists as appropriate.
To be involved in the clinical teaching of undergraduate Orthoptists, pre-registration Optometrists, medical students and other health care professionals as required.
Working for our organisation
We have 10000 fantastic people working hard to deliver quality services to our patients. Whatever your role, you help look after 370,000 people in our local area & give specialist care to 1.5 million people across Lancashire & Cumbria.
Working with us gives you the knowledge and sense of pride that every activity you do genuinely does make a difference to support our patients & staff, ensuring we keep thriving & delivering outstanding healthcare right across our local towns.
You’ll have access to varied development opportunities, learn new skills, meet fab people & do things you’d never have done. You’ll learn about working in a hospital, interacting with people from all different roles to build skills & enhance your career path.
You’ll make an impact, be challenged to think differently, be bold & help innovate to keep improving things. Everything we do centres around patient care which means your role is pivotal and something really to be proud of.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To support a combination of the SEN and VPD caseload to provide clinical assessment, management and multidisciplinary working in the hospital outpatient, community and school setting for individuals with various orthoptic diagnosis and SEN and VPD diagnosis.
Responsible for providing specialised Orthoptic services as an autonomous practitioner within the hospital setting and community outreach clinics, accepting direct referral of patients of all ages who have a wide spectrum of ocular motility disorders and visual problems.
To assess, diagnose, manage and treat patients of all ages referred to the Orthoptist, being responsible for the instigation of follow-up care and/or onward referral to the sub-speciality Orthoptists/Optometrists/Ophthalmologists as appropriate.
To be involved in the clinical teaching of undergraduate Orthoptists, pre-registration Optometrists, medical students and other health care professionals as required.
Duties will include, but not be limited to:
- To support the Orthoptic Subspeciality Lead within the area of SEN and VPD in the assessment and management of patients within this speciality.
- Responsible for providing specialised Orthoptic services as an autonomous practitioner within the hospital setting and community outreach clinics, accepting direct referral of patients of all ages who have a wide spectrum of ocular motility disorders and visual problems.
- To assess, diagnose, manage and treat patients of all ages referred to the Orthoptist, being responsible for the instigation of follow-up care and/or onward referral to the sub-speciality Orthoptists/Optometrists/Ophthalmologists as appropriate.
- To be involved in the clinical teaching of undergraduate Orthoptists, pre-registration Optometrists, medical students and other health care professionals as required.
- To act at all times in a manner that upholds the Trust’s values and Health Care Professionals Council standards and goals, working as part of a team to ensure that patients and relatives receive excellent care with compassion.
- Assess, plan, implement and review care to meet patients’ orthoptic needs in accordance with agreed local and national standards and evidence based guidelines.
- Demonstrate competency in the use of all orthoptic equipment and techniques.
- Support and provide patient education and health promotion.
- Be responsible for the delivery and co-ordination of orthoptic care, through appropriate professional practice.
- Proactively manage risk and maintain patient safety, conforming to health, safety and security legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines.
- Assist in setting, monitoring and maintaining standards of care to improve the patient experience and outcome of care.
- Communicate all relevant information to the multidisciplinary team internally and with external organisations as required, to ensure seamless care.
- Maintain accurate and complete records of all care activities, in a timely manner, adhering to local and professional standards for documentation.
- Act as a role model, presenting a positive image of self, team and organisation.
- Promote equality in care and practice by recognising, respecting and meeting the needs and choices of individuals.
- Ensures environment of care is safe, well equipped and compliant with standards for hygiene and cleanliness.
- Maintain and develop own professional competence and seek to extend the scope of personal knowledge and skills within the scope of role and professional practice.
- Proactively engage with Trust wide or local changes and developments in service provision.
- Actively try to resolve issues and complaints at local level and then report the outcome to the line manager.
Person specification
Qualifications and Education
Essential criteria
- Degree in Orthoptics (or equivalent).
- Professional registration with the Health Care Professional Council (HCPC).
- Evidence of appropriate ongoing professional development.
Desirable criteria
- Evidence of postgraduate training and certificates
- SEN Masters Module or other relevant qualification/training
- Teaching qualification or willingness to undertake 2 day BIOS course
- Member of BIOS and associated CAGs
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
- Proven knowledge of the investigation, diagnosis and management of a broad range of specialist and complex Orthoptic patients and be able to explain findings to patients/parents/carers/students/GP’s and other health professionals on varying levels.
- Proven knowledge of formulating treatment plans involving complex facts and situations and problem solving techniques and be able to explain these to patients/parents/carers/students/GP’s and other health professionals on varying levels.
- Proven ability to work single handed in the hospital and or community clinic.
- Proven postgraduate clinical experience.
- Evidence of CPD Knowledge of relevant national policies and procedures relating to role.
- Experience of an Orthoptic SEN caseload
- Experience of a VPD caseload
Desirable criteria
- Experience of various Neurological conditions seen by Orthoptists
- Evidence of Audit
- Evidence of Research
- Awareness of Dementia
- Experience of teaching orthoptic undergraduates and or other health professionals and students
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
- Claire Critchley
- Job title
- Head Orthoptist
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07517829882
- Additional information
If you would like to visit our department please contact me via email to arrange Monday to Friday between 8.15am and 5pm
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