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Job summary

Main area
Orthoptics
Grade
Band 6
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
  • Job share
  • Flexible working
37.5 hours per week
Job ref
438-PB3208
Employer
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Royal Preston Hospital
Town
Preston
Salary
Band 5 / 6 dependant on experience
Closing
24/07/2025 23:59
Interview date
31/07/2025

Employer heading

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Specialist Orthoptist - Stroke & ABI

Band 6

Job overview

Are you an Orthoptist looking for a challenging adult neurological caseload?  

Do you have a passion for working not only in the out-patient environment but also within a ward setting?   

Would you like to work within a purpose built eye unit in one of the largest and highest performing Trusts in the North West? 

If the answer is YES to the above then we have the perfect job for you! 

We are looking for an additional Specialist Orthoptist to join our existing team of 2 specialist orthoptists and 2 advanced orthoptists already working within the Stroke, ABI and Neuro-Ophthalmology caseload,  this position also includes various additional orthoptic hospital and community clinics and the chance to be involved in the orthoptic teaching we provide. 

This is an amazing opportunity for an Orthoptist with experience of an adult caseload to join our well-established team to provide not only an excellent standard of care to all patients but to develop themselves within a stroke and ABI role too. 

Applications from newly qualified orthoptists who do not meet the specific criteria for Band 6 will be considered and appointed initially to Band 5 with subsequent run through to Band 6 on completion of satisfactory training; preceptorship and mentorship support will be in place and responsibilities will depend upon experience.

Follow us and our fabulous eye team on Twitter @LTHorthoptics and @EyeLthtr to see what you could be a part of. 

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will join our team of 22 Orthoptists working alongside 3 Ophthalmologists with a specialist interest in neuro-ophthalmology, ocular motility and paediatrics with support from an additional 9 consultants in oculo-plastics, retina, glaucoma and cornea, we also have a team of Optometrists; 3 of which provide paediatric refractions,  in addition to a large team of Ophthalmic Technicians, Nurses and 2 Ophthalmic Photographers.

Using your experience gained so far as an Orthoptist we will develop you further within the stroke, ABI and neuro-ophthalmology caseload plus a broad range of hospital and community Orthoptics including single handed working at a specialist level.  

As a large department with a commitment to teaching we have Orthoptic undergraduates from all years and all Universities throughout the year plus various other students.  

Our working week is Monday to Friday typically 08:30 - 16:40

Working for our organisation

The Orthoptic department is based at Royal Preston Hospital with 4 additional community clinics, several special schools and our purpose built Lancashire Eye Centre situated at Chorley District General Hospital.  

Our eye unit has been designed to not only give the patient and their relatives/carers the best experience but also our team too; with individual 6m Orthoptic rooms fully equipped even with a window for those far distance cover tests we hope we have thought of everything. 

Our HASU is based at Royal Preston Hospital along with other wards we visit and an additional stroke rehab ward at Chorley District General Hospital. 

We are a very busy and large department who work closely with our eye colleagues striving to provide excellent care with compassion; if you manage your time well and work well within a dynamic team then this is the place for you. 

We are always looking for ways to further develop ourselves and the team plus looking to see what we could do differently and in fact better, this is why we actively encourage and support CPD, audit and research and have mentorship/preceptorship in place for this role.  

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job descriptions and person specification for full duties of the role.

To support the Orthoptic Stroke and ABI Service in providing clinical assessment, management and multidisciplinary working in the outpatient, ward and HASU setting for individuals who have had a stroke, ABI or other neuro-ophthalmology 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.

Person specification

Qualifications

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
  • Stroke Masters Module or other relevant qualification
  • Teaching qualification or willingness to undertake 2 day BIOS course

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria
  • Proven knowledge and experience managing specifically an adult Orthoptic caseload.
  • 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 postgraduate clinical experience.
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of an Orthoptic Stroke caseload
  • Experience working as an Orthoptist in the ward environment
  • Experience of various Neurological conditions seen by Orthoptists
  • Evidence of Audit
  • Experience of teaching orthoptic undergraduates and or other health professionals and students

Skills

Essential criteria
  • • Proven ability in the use of complex specialist Orthoptic equipment.
  • • Communication skills with a wide range of individuals including other health professionals across the Trust.
  • • Proven organisational skills for own time and that of others.
  • • Ability to use IT systems relevant to role
  • • Practices / supports evidence-based practice
  • • Maintain / update knowledge of current Orthoptic best practice / clinical audit / research and IT skills.
Desirable criteria
  • • Good presentation skills

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyWorkplace Wellbeing Charter LogoDisability Employment CharterArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardDisability confident employerInclusive Top 50 LogoStep into healthHappy to Talk Flexible Working

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
Claire Critchley
Job title
Head Orthoptist
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07517829882
Additional information

Monday to Friday 08:00 to 17:00

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