Job summary
- Main area
- Ophthalmology
- Grade
- Band 6
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 259-7342282RLH
- Employer
- Barts Health NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Royal London Hospital
- Town
- London
- Salary
- £44,806 - £53,134 per annum inc
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 27/07/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Specialist Orthoptist
Band 6
Barts Health is one of the largest NHS trusts in the country, and one of Britain’s leading healthcare providers.
The Barts Health group of NHS hospitals is entering an exciting new era on our improvement journey to becoming an outstanding organisation with a world-class clinical reputation. Having lifted ourselves out of special measures, we now have the impetus and breathing space to chart a fresh course in which we are continually striving to improve all our services for patients.
Our vision is to be a high-performing group of NHS hospitals, renowned for excellence and innovation, and providing safe and compassionate care to our patients in east London and beyond. That means being a provider of excellent patient safety, known for delivering consistently high standards of harm-free care and always caring for patients in the right place at the right time. It also means being an outstanding place to work, in which our WeCare values and behaviours are visible to all and guide us in how we work together.
Barts Health supports the Pregnancy Loss Pledge and commits to supporting their staff through the distress of miscarriage.
Job overview
A unique opportunity has become available for a substantive specialist orthoptist post in a busy and expanding London eye Department. This is an ideal step towards long-term career development in a supportive and progressive environment. The post-holder will work as part of the multi-disciplinary Orthoptic and Ophthalmology teams that provide comprehensive and highly specialised quality Orthoptic services for the Trust. This includes assessing, diagnosing and managing any patients referred to the Orthoptic, Paediatric and Neuro-ophthalmology departments. The post-holder will provide orthoptic services as an autonomous practitioner; this includes the assessment, diagnosis and management of any patient referred to the orthoptic department. |
They will participate in the educational activities run by and for the Orthoptic Departments. This includes the teaching of other health care professionals, medical undergraduates and junior doctors.
Our department consists of a close-knit multidisciplinary team consisting of 6 Orthoptists, 8 Optometrists, 10 consultants across paediatrics and adult services, a National Retinoblastoma service, ECLOs, a nursing team including HCA’s, photography and administrative teams. |
Main duties of the job
· The orthoptic department is a key part of the Ophthalmology team with 5.6 WTE orthoptists and 4.2WTE optometrists working in a great variety of clinics and sub specialties.
· The post-holder will work as part of the multi-disciplinary orthoptic and ophthalmology team that provide comprehensive and quality Orthoptic and Perimetry services for the Trust.
· They will provide orthoptic services as an autonomous practitioner (dependent on experience); this includes the assessment, diagnosis and management of any patient referred to the orthoptic department.
· The post holder will provide supervision and education of undergraduate orthoptists, pre-registration optometry students and undergraduate medical students.
· The post holder will participate in educational activities ran by and for the Ophthalmology Department. This includes the teaching of undergraduate or orthoptic students, medical undergraduates, junior doctors and other health care professionals.
· The post holder will be expected to fully involve themselves with the team working to uphold high standards and suggest improvements that will benefit our patients, the team and the trust.
· The post holder should be keen to further develop their knowledge and skills both in their own time through further education and through our department teaching.
Working for our organisation
Barts Health is one of the largest NHS trusts in the country, and one of Britain’s leading healthcare providers.
The Barts Health group of NHS hospitals is entering an exciting new era on our improvement journey to becoming an outstanding organisation with a world-class clinical reputation. Having lifted ourselves out of special measures, we now have the impetus and breathing space to chart a fresh course in which we are continually striving to improve all our services for patients.
Our vision is to be a high-performing group of NHS hospitals, renowned for excellence and innovation, and providing safe and compassionate care to our patients in east London and beyond. That means being a provider of excellent patient safety, known for delivering consistently high standards of harm-free care and always caring for patients in the right place at the right time. It also means being an outstanding place to work, in which our WeCare values and behaviours are visible to all and guide us in how we work together.
We strive to live by our WeCare values and are committed to promoting inclusion, where every staff member has a sense of belonging. We value our differences and fully advocate, cultivate and support an inclusive working environment.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required. For both documents, please view the attachment/s below.
We are dedicated to being an outstanding place to work and will work with you to get the best experience. We know flexible working is not a one size fits all and will mean something different to everyone. We are inclusive, so if you are interested in flexible working, please speak to the recruiting manager.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Possession of a Bachelor of Science in Orthoptics BSc (Orth), BMedSci (Orthoptics) and/or a diploma from the British Orthoptic Council
- Registration with the Health Professions Council (HPC)
- Up to date proof of CPD in line with HPC guidelines
- Commitment to Continuing Professional Development
Desirable criteria
- BIOS Recognised Teaching Qualification
- Medical Exemptions qualification
- Member of the British & Irish Orthoptic Society (BIOS)
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience in all areas of clinical orthoptics
- Previously worked single-handed
- Experience working with children and adults with special needs and/or learning difficulties
Desirable criteria
- Experience in Humphrey and Goldmann visual field assessment
- Experience working in a community orthoptic setting
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Understanding of auditing procedures
- Understanding and ability to maintain patient confidentiality
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of the Care Records System (CRS)
- Knowledge of the Patient’s Charter
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
- Steffi Poonoli
- Job title
- Deputy Head Orthoptist
- Email address
- [email protected]
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