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Job summary

Main area
Orthoptist
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 6
Contract
0.6 WTE Permanent, with 0.4 WTE Fixed Term to November 2026
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (8.30am - 4.30pm)
Job ref
425-25-7312382
Employer
Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust
Town
Sheffield
Salary
£38,682 - £46,580 per annum, pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
15/09/2025 23:59
Interview date
26/09/2025

Employer heading

Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust logo

Specialist Orthoptist

NHS AfC: Band 6

Job overview

Contract: 1.0 WTE total (0.6 WTE Permanent, 0.4 WTE, Fixed Term to 29 Nov 2026)

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our welcoming and innovative Ophthalmology Team at Sheffield Children's. We are a supportive, family-focused service providing high-quality paediatric eye care across Sheffield and the wider region.

As a Specialist Orthoptist, you'll work in orthoptic/optometry triage and specialist ophthalmic clinics, delivering assessment and treatment, and performing intraocular pressure measurements using iCare / Tonopen (training provided).

We work with paediatric specialities within the Trust as well as in partnership with other organisations such as visual impairment education services and Guide Dogs who provide a Family Support Officer in the department. 

Your role will also include ward assessments, participation in the school entry vision screening programme, and support for undergraduate orthoptic student placements.

The post can be based at Sheffield Children's Hospital or another Trust site.

About You:

You are a qualified Orthoptist (BMedSci/BSc or DBO in Orthoptics) with HCPC registration and postgraduate clinical experience in paediatric assessment and treatment. You have strong communication skills, enjoy working in a multidisciplinary team, and are committed to delivering child and family-centred care.

If you hold a qualification in low vision, you will have the opportunity to join the low vision service, including the cerebral visual impairment team.  

Main duties of the job

Reporting into the Head Orthoptist, your responsibilities will include:

  • Deliver orthoptic assessment and treatment in triage and specialist clinics

  • Perform intraocular pressure measurements (iCare or Tonopen)

  • Conduct ward-based patient assessments

  • Perform school entry vision screening

  • Support undergraduate orthoptic student placements

  • Work with other paediatric specialities within the Trust

  • Contribute to ongoing service development and patient-centred care

We're a fantastic, supportive team that values collaboration, innovation, and kindness. To find out more, please contact Julia Ennis or Jyoti Williams – details below.

Working for our organisation

At Sheffield Children’s, our purpose is clear: to provide healthier futures for children and young people. Our three strategic aims are Outstanding Patient Care, Brilliant Place to Work, and Leaders in Children’s Health.

We work with partners across local, regional, and national levels to deliver physical and mental healthcare in both acute and community settings. Many of our clinicians are nationally and internationally recognised for their expertise.

We’re proud that 73% of colleagues would recommend Sheffield Children’s as a place to work, placing us among the top five NHS trusts in England — and the top-ranked trust in the North East and Yorkshire — in the latest NHS Staff Survey.

Our nearly 4,000 colleagues bring our CARE values — Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence — to life every day, creating a kind, welcoming environment where patients and families feel safe and supported.

As we approach our 150th anniversary in 2026, we’re excited to keep building our leadership in children's health, improve experiences for patients and staff, and focus on our communities and population health.

We also offer excellent benefits to support your wellbeing, with generous annual leave and pension schemes, health and wellbeing programmes, and exclusive discounts — helping you thrive at work and beyond.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For more information on the main responsibilities for this post, please refer to the job description and person specification.

Please note that Sheffield Children's uplift pay to meet the Real Living Wage, which is £12.60 per hour.

Diversity Statement

At Sheffield Children’s, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and supports everyone’s success. We prioritise Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in our recruitment practices, creating a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds, including ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ members.

Recognising that inclusivity is an ongoing effort, we review our processes and welcome feedback to enhance our practices. A diverse team strengthens our organisation and the quality of care we deliver. For ideas on how we can improve, please contact our Recruitment Manager at [email protected]. Together, we’re building a workplace where everyone belongs.

#LI-Onsite

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • BMedSci /BSc in Orthoptics or DBO in Orthoptics and Registration with HCPC as an Orthoptist
Desirable criteria
  • Teaching qualification or willingness to undertake clinical supervision of Orthoptic undergraduates on placement
  • BIOS membership

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Assessment of young children
  • Good communication skills – verbal and written – with parents, staff and medical colleagues
  • Ability to work under pressure
Desirable criteria
  • Techniques for assessment of visually and/or hearing impaired children
  • Assessment of children with sensitive medical conditions – haematology, oncology patients, etc
  • Ability to take responsibility for designated tasks
  • Admin skills – dealing with glasses prescription queries/arranging eye drops at home/atropine prescriptions IT skills

Personal attributes

Essential criteria
  • Caring and sensitive to parents & child’s needs and wishes
  • Commitment to child/family centred approach
  • Reliable and flexible
  • Ability to work within a team and share information

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Clinical experience in paediatric assessment and treatment
Desirable criteria
  • Special needs – developmental, visually impaired, hearing impaired, other medical conditions
  • Research/audit or willing to pursue if opportunity available
  • Vision screening
  • Extended roles

Employer certification / accreditation badges

No smoking policyMenopause Friendly EmployerPositive about disabled peopleDisability confident leaderCare quality commission - GoodMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Stonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.Armed Forces CovenantLiving Wage 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.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Julia Ennis
Job title
Head Orthoptist
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0114 2717468
Additional information

Jyoti Williams, Deputy Head Orthoptist.

Tel  0114 271 7468

0114 2717713

0114 2717520

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