Specialist Orthoptist

Job summary

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

About us

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.

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Derby Hospital

Uttoxeter Road

Derby

DE22 3NE

Employer's website

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

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Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Derby Hospital

Uttoxeter Road

Derby

DE22 3NE

Employer's website

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

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