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Job summary

Main area
Ophthalmology
Grade
Band 6
Contract
Fixed term: 39 weeks (Maternity Leave)
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
  • Flexible working
37.5 hours per week
Job ref
320-SURG-1268
Employer
University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Royal Derby Hospital
Town
Derby
Salary
£38,682 - £46,580 pa pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
20/08/2025 23:59
Interview date
02/09/2025

Employer heading

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust logo

Specialist Orthoptist

Band 6

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 13,000 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 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 enthusiastic and motivated orthoptist to join our Orthoptic team at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust.

The post will provide Orthoptic clinical cover at  Royal Derby and  covering community sites across the area.

We provide a range of sub-speciality clinics including ocular motility, paediatrics, neuro-ophthalmology, visual processing disorders, stroke, paediatric special educational needs, paediatric low vision, secondary vision screening and oculoplastics. The successful candidate will be working alongside a multidisciplinary team which includes Ophthalmologists, Nurses, Optometrists, Technicians, and administrative staff.

The successful candidate will have clinical experience, be able to practice independently but will be provided with clinical and professional support and advice within the Orthoptic department.

Working autonomously and using specialist knowledge, the post-holder is responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of children and adults with ocular motility disorders and visual impairment.  This includes the assessment of new patients, formulation of treatment programmes, instruction on home treatments and follow-up appointments.  Accurate record taking is essential to monitor patient progress and enable efficient liaison with Optometrists, Ophthalmologists and other professionals as appropriate.

Main duties of the job

To be responsible for the Orthoptic assessment, diagnosis, and appropriate management of all new and follow up paediatric and adult patients referred for an Orthoptic opinion.

To test visual fields in patients referred from ophthalmology, neurology, endocrinology, stroke and rehabilitation and head injury teams, using Humphrey and Goldman and Octopus field analysers.  These tests record the areas of visual loss, which can be of recent onset, or can show progression in a worsening eye or neurological disease. Skill is required to “counsel” the patient sufficiently to obtain accurate testing.

To undertake secondary visual screening in children referred from general practice, health visitors, school nurses, hospital doctors and allied health professionals.  An autonomous decision is made regarding discharge or referral to Optometry/Ophthalmology.

To demonstrate, teach and supervise where appropriate a range of medical and non-medical personnel from orthoptic undergraduate, medical students, junior doctors, pre-registration optometrists and work experience students as directed by clinical lead tutor.

Closing date of applications: 20 August 2025

Date of interview: 02 September 2025

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, including both professional and leadership development
  • On-going support through every step of the way from recruitment to when you join our team and beyond.
  • A variety of other staff benefits including employee assistance programme, discounted gym membership, onsite fitness classes, car schemes

Key Facts about our Trust:

  • We see on average 4810 OP appointments per 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.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

If you are applying for an Internal Secondment, please ensure you have spoken to your line manager and have their support prior to your application. Please speak to the Recruitment Team if you have any questions.

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

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Degree in Orthoptics or Diploma of the British Orthoptic Council (DBO)
Desirable criteria
  • Clinical Education qualification (practice and theory of Orthoptics)/ experience of providing undergraduate education
  • Holds current driving licence

Registration

Essential criteria
  • Registration with Health Professions Council, and preferably membership of The British and Irish Orthoptic Society

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Broad range of clinical experience
Desirable criteria
  • Evidence or knowledge of working with Stroke and Head injury patients

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD)
Desirable criteria
  • Background knowledge of VPD

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 CovenantNational Preceptorship for Nursing Quality Mark 2024CareLeaver CovenantAge Friendly Employer

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.

Application numbers

If we receive a high number of applications for this position we reserve the right to withdraw the post before the closing date, therefore it is advisable that you apply as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Please ensure that you had read the Job Description and Person Spec and that you meet the criteria before applying.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Michelle Wood
Job title
UHDB Deputy Head Orthoptist
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01332 785659
Additional information

Helen Greenwood, Orthoptist

[email protected]

01332 785659

Carla Eccleston, Orthoptist

[email protected]

01332 785659

 

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