North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Orthoptist * Internal Only*

The closing date is 01 December 2025

Job summary

INTERNAL ONLY TO NORTH CUMBRIA INTEGRATED CARE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST (NCIC) EMPLOYEES

Specialist Orthoptist Band 7 Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle

The Orthoptic department provides a range of Orthoptic services (and extended roles) for patients of North Cumbria.

We are looking for a Specialist Orthoptist to join the team, working alongside fellow Orthoptists, Optometrists, Ophthalmic Consultants and Ophthalmology nursing teams.

The post is based at Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle although travel to other Ophthalmology departments within the service is required.

Voted one of the best places to live in the UK, North Cumbria houses the Lake District, one of the country's most outstanding places of natural beauty and the region is an attractive, largely rural area with access to good road, rail and air communications. Housing is relatively inexpensive and there are excellent state and private education establishments.

All staff are expected to work to the Trust Values:

Kindness - Kindness and compassion cost nothing, yet accomplish a

great deal.

Respect - We are respective to everyone and are open, honest and fair

- respect behaviours.

Ambition - We set goals to achieve the best for our patients, teams,

organisations and our partners.

Collaboration - We are stronger and better working together with and

for our patients.

Main duties of the job

  • Manage the team of Orthoptists
  • Hold responsibility for day-to-day service provision in a range of acute and community settings.
  • Provide Orthoptic services as an autonomous practitioner. To assess, diagnose and manage patients referred to the orthoptic department
  • Determine the clinical diagnosis and develop treatment plans, discharge plans and make appropriate onward referrals to Ophthalmology or other health professionals
  • This post will also involve Low Vision clinical work. Training will be provided
  • The post covers Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle, West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven, Workington Community Hospital and peripheral clinics.
  • Liaise with other professionals and colleagues as appropriate.

About us

At NCIC, we have an ambition to deliver outstanding hospital and health services to half a million people. Established on 1st October 2019, the Trust is creating a centre of excellence in providing rural and remote healthcare and provides a wide range of community and acute services throughout north Cumbria and beyond. We're responsible for delivering over 70 services across 15 main locations and we employ more than 6,500 members of staff.

Our 5 key principles demonstrate our belief in the delivery of 'safe, high quality care every time'.

  • Being a clinically led organisation
  • Quality and safety at the heart
  • A positive patient experience every time
  • A great place to work
  • Managing our money wel

As an organisation we are serious about supporting a diverse workforce that reflects our local community and are very much focused on being an inclusive and compassionate place to work.

Details

Date posted

18 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year Per Annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

262-A-25-7527470

Job locations

Cumberland Infirmary

Newtown Road

Carlisle

CA2 7HY


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see attached job description and person specification for further information regarding the role and the essential and desirable criteria required to be met by applicants.

Please note, due to changes implemented by the Government to the UK immigration policy, individuals who require a Health and Care Visa or a Skilled Worker Visa may no longer be eligible for sponsorship where the UKVI salary threshold is not met or if the occupation is not included in the updated Immigration Salary List (ISL). Applicants must check their eligibility to be employed in any role they are interested in applying for, prior to completing an application for employment.Any applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be progressed. For further information visit theUK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

If you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme or Armed Forces Covenant and you meet all the essential criteria for a post, you will be guaranteed an interview.

Disclosure and Barring Service:

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

The cost of the DBS must be met by the successful candidate(s) through salary deduction. DBS charges are as followsif applicable to the post:

Standard Check: £21.50 + Administration cost of £5.90 = £27.40. Deducted from salary over a 4 month period or a one-off payment.

Enhanced Check: £49.50 + administration cost of £5.90 = £55.40. Deducted from salary over a 4 month period or a one-off payment.

NCIC can offer successful future employees the following benefits

27-day holiday scheme rising to 33 after 10 years

Flexible working Scheme

NHS Discounts*

Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work*

Excellent opportunities for development*

Competitive NHS Pension scheme

Vivup is a free, confidential counselling and information service to assist with personal or work-related problems

*Subject to eligibility

Important Information

Please ensure that you document evidence of meeting all the essential criteria in the supporting information.

If sufficient response is received this post could be closed earlier than the specified closing date, please apply as soon as possible to ensure that your application is considered.

Candidates who have been successfully shortlisted for interview will be asked via an email notification to log on to their Trac account to select an interview time. This will usually be within 2 weeks of the closing date.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see attached job description and person specification for further information regarding the role and the essential and desirable criteria required to be met by applicants.

Please note, due to changes implemented by the Government to the UK immigration policy, individuals who require a Health and Care Visa or a Skilled Worker Visa may no longer be eligible for sponsorship where the UKVI salary threshold is not met or if the occupation is not included in the updated Immigration Salary List (ISL). Applicants must check their eligibility to be employed in any role they are interested in applying for, prior to completing an application for employment.Any applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be progressed. For further information visit theUK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

If you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme or Armed Forces Covenant and you meet all the essential criteria for a post, you will be guaranteed an interview.

Disclosure and Barring Service:

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

The cost of the DBS must be met by the successful candidate(s) through salary deduction. DBS charges are as followsif applicable to the post:

Standard Check: £21.50 + Administration cost of £5.90 = £27.40. Deducted from salary over a 4 month period or a one-off payment.

Enhanced Check: £49.50 + administration cost of £5.90 = £55.40. Deducted from salary over a 4 month period or a one-off payment.

NCIC can offer successful future employees the following benefits

27-day holiday scheme rising to 33 after 10 years

Flexible working Scheme

NHS Discounts*

Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work*

Excellent opportunities for development*

Competitive NHS Pension scheme

Vivup is a free, confidential counselling and information service to assist with personal or work-related problems

*Subject to eligibility

Important Information

Please ensure that you document evidence of meeting all the essential criteria in the supporting information.

If sufficient response is received this post could be closed earlier than the specified closing date, please apply as soon as possible to ensure that your application is considered.

Candidates who have been successfully shortlisted for interview will be asked via an email notification to log on to their Trac account to select an interview time. This will usually be within 2 weeks of the closing date.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • oDiploma/Degree in Orthoptics.
  • oHealth Professions Council registration.
  • oCertificate of Low Vision therapy
  • oMembership of the British & Irish Orthoptic Society

Desirable

  • oECDL.
  • oMSc in Orthoptics

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Recent experience within the Orthoptic profession.
  • Independent working.
  • Portfolio demonstrating continuing professional development.
  • Primary and secondary Orthoptic screening, Specialist paediatric, Thyroid, Ocular plastic/orbital, Adult motility, Neuro-ophthalmology work.
  • Visual field testing, interpretation and photography.
  • IT & computer use.

Desirable

  • Local and national policies & procedures.
  • Professional guidelines

Skills and Aptitudes

Essential

  • Good communication skills.
  • Able to operate specialist equipment
  • Keyboard skills.
  • Reliable

Other requirements

Essential

  • Flexibility over place of work.
  • Able to travel and cover other clinics when required

Desirable

  • Driving licence.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • oDiploma/Degree in Orthoptics.
  • oHealth Professions Council registration.
  • oCertificate of Low Vision therapy
  • oMembership of the British & Irish Orthoptic Society

Desirable

  • oECDL.
  • oMSc in Orthoptics

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Recent experience within the Orthoptic profession.
  • Independent working.
  • Portfolio demonstrating continuing professional development.
  • Primary and secondary Orthoptic screening, Specialist paediatric, Thyroid, Ocular plastic/orbital, Adult motility, Neuro-ophthalmology work.
  • Visual field testing, interpretation and photography.
  • IT & computer use.

Desirable

  • Local and national policies & procedures.
  • Professional guidelines

Skills and Aptitudes

Essential

  • Good communication skills.
  • Able to operate specialist equipment
  • Keyboard skills.
  • Reliable

Other requirements

Essential

  • Flexibility over place of work.
  • Able to travel and cover other clinics when required

Desirable

  • Driving licence.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Cumberland Infirmary

Newtown Road

Carlisle

CA2 7HY


Employer's website

https://www.ncic.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Cumberland Infirmary

Newtown Road

Carlisle

CA2 7HY


Employer's website

https://www.ncic.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Deputy Service Manager

Lucy Jackson

lucy.jackson@ncic.nhs.uk

07929823270

Details

Date posted

18 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year Per Annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

262-A-25-7527470

Job locations

Cumberland Infirmary

Newtown Road

Carlisle

CA2 7HY


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)