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Job summary

Main area
surgery
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 7
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Flexible working
37.5 hours per week
Job ref
179-7599665-S
Employer
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
West Suffolk Hospital
Town
Bury St Edmunds
Salary
£47,810 - £54,710 per annum pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
17/12/2025 23:59

Employer heading

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust logo

Senior Orthoptist

NHS AfC: Band 7

Job overview

Join our team; we are looking for an ambitious, self motivated individual to join a friendly orthoptic department. 

Our department is mainly composed of two orthoptists, a paediatric ophthalmology consultant, and an optometrist. We collaborate closely with community optometrists, the paediatrics department, junior doctors, and the outpatient department across the trust.

Main duties of the job

The caseload is varied and will include core orthoptic, adult ocular motility and paediatric clinics linked with the ophthalmologist. Refraction clinics linked to the optometrist and orthoptic led sessions. There will also be support and encouragement to be involved in an extended role. 

Working for our organisation

#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community

We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.

The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.

Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.

We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.

With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.

We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.

 

Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached the job description and person specification for details around the main responsibilities of the job role. 

Person specification

Education & Qualification

Essential criteria
  • DBO in Orthoptics
  • Degree in Orthoptics
  • HCPC Registered
Desirable criteria
  • Understanding of CPD
  • Understanding of Visual field testing

Experience & Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Role suitable for newly qualified Orthoptists
  • Practices / supports evidence based practice.
  • Previous experience in a hospital setting
  • Knowledge of NHS waiting times, regulations, and access targets
  • Good understanding of current performance targets and the impact of this to patient safety/care
  • IT literate and experience working with PAS.
  • Data handling and use of databases (e.g. MS Excel)
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of inter-professional teaching
  • Experience in clinic and patient management/throughput.

Skills & Abilities

Essential criteria
  • Proven ability in clinical skills
  • Good communication skills
  • Excellent organisation and time management
  • Ability to work under pressure and maintain high standards.
  • Maintain / update knowledge of current clinical best practice / clinical audit / research and IT skills
Desirable criteria
  • Knowledge of a hospital administration system

Personal Qualities

Essential criteria
  • Team worker, who can prioritise effectively and to work autonomously when required.
  • Flexible and adaptable, motivated with the ability to motivate others.
  • Awareness of own limitations
  • Ability to use initiative, referring key decisions as appropriate and understanding aim limitations.
  • Flexible approach to working duties
  • Attention to detail.
  • Polite, respectful, and professional attitude and behaviour towards staff members, patients, and relatives
  • Able to influence others and lead as a role model.
  • Awareness of the need to maintain confidentially and abide to the data protection act

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardDisability confident employerArmed Forces Covenant

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

Please note that this advert may close early if we receive a high number of applications.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Stuart McGill
Job title
Head Orthoptist
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01284713817
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