Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Head Orthoptist and Technical Services Lead

The closing date is 02 September 2025

Job summary

The post holder will be responsible for managing and developing the Orthoptic and Ophthalmic technician services across Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust and be accountable for the delivery of high quality, cost-effective provision of the service in compliance with relevant professional bodies. In consultation with the General Manager and Clinical Lead, the post holder will be required to prioritise and coordinate the development of the services, in line with Trust and national directives to include capacity and strategic planning. The post holder will be responsible for managing the delegated budget ensuring achievement of pre-determined budgets.

You will provide line management and clinical leadership to Orthoptic and Technician staff. To be accountable for the orthoptic and ophthalmic technology service provided by the staff and be accountable for all aspects of their own clinical workload.

The post holder will be expected to maintain effective links with other Managers and Team Leaders within the service to drive quality improvement and the development of clinical practice. He/she will also be expected to represent the department, Business Unit and Trust as required.

The post holder will be expected to undertake Service improvement/transformation projects within the department and to work closely with key colleagues within the department and the wider MSE organisation to review services and delivery of care.

Main duties of the job

Within your role, you will:

Maintain excellent working relationship with key personnel in ophthalmology across all sites including lead optometrist, optical services team leaders, senior management team, clinical lead and nursing leadership

Communicate changes to clinic templates and the influence this will have on current working practices.

Have the ability to report both verbally and in writing the current position in terms of waiting lists and capacity across the service. This includes generating ideas to improve and reduce waiting lists

To ensure effective communication across sites, and consistent service provision

Attend and report to senior leadership communication briefing

Liaise with key external stakeholders including but not confined to local CCGs and Essex LOC as required by general manager for ophthalmology

About us

Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and well being of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.

We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.

Details

Date posted

19 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 a year Per Annum (Pro Rata for Part Time)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

390-SUR-BR-5172

Job locations

Broomfield

Court Road

Chelmsford

CM1 7ET


Job description

Job responsibilities

Are you looking for an exciting new role using your unique qualities, then we want to hear from you.

For full details about this varied and rewarding role, please see attached job description.

We look forward to your application.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Are you looking for an exciting new role using your unique qualities, then we want to hear from you.

For full details about this varied and rewarding role, please see attached job description.

We look forward to your application.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • BSc Orthoptics or equivalent Orthoptic qualification.
  • Registration with HCPC
  • UK Driving Licence

Desirable

  • Registration with British Orthoptic Society
  • Orthoptic prescribing exemption certificate

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • At least 5 years post qualification experience as an Orthoptist in an acute hospital setting and evidence of continuous CPD
  • At least 3-5 years management experience or equivalent obtained through a combination of continuous professional development & training courses including evidence of directly line managing a team.

Desirable

  • Management qualification
  • Experience developing and implementing business and service development plans.

Communication Skills

Essential

  • Good communication and influencing skills. Strong, participative and supportive management style.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • BSc Orthoptics or equivalent Orthoptic qualification.
  • Registration with HCPC
  • UK Driving Licence

Desirable

  • Registration with British Orthoptic Society
  • Orthoptic prescribing exemption certificate

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • At least 5 years post qualification experience as an Orthoptist in an acute hospital setting and evidence of continuous CPD
  • At least 3-5 years management experience or equivalent obtained through a combination of continuous professional development & training courses including evidence of directly line managing a team.

Desirable

  • Management qualification
  • Experience developing and implementing business and service development plans.

Communication Skills

Essential

  • Good communication and influencing skills. Strong, participative and supportive management style.

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

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Broomfield

Court Road

Chelmsford

CM1 7ET


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Broomfield

Court Road

Chelmsford

CM1 7ET


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

General manager

Tracy Porter

Tracy.Porter@nhs.net

07889601454

Details

Date posted

19 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 a year Per Annum (Pro Rata for Part Time)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

390-SUR-BR-5172

Job locations

Broomfield

Court Road

Chelmsford

CM1 7ET


Supporting documents

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