Job summary
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:
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Deliver orthoptic assessment and treatment in triage and specialist clinics
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Perform intraocular pressure measurements (iCare or Tonopen)
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Conduct ward-based patient assessments
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Perform school entry vision screening
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Support undergraduate orthoptic student placements
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Work with other paediatric specialities within the Trust
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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.
About us
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.
Job description
Job 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 Childrens, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and supports everyones 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 scn-tr.recruitment.team@nhs.net. Together, were building a workplace where everyone belongs.
#LI-Onsite
Job description
Job 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 Childrens, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and supports everyones 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 scn-tr.recruitment.team@nhs.net. Together, were building a workplace where everyone belongs.
#LI-Onsite
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BMedSci /BSc in Orthoptics or DBO in Orthoptics and Registration with HCPC as an Orthoptist
Desirable
- Teaching qualification or willingness to undertake clinical supervision of Orthoptic undergraduates on placement
- BIOS membership
Knowledge
Essential
- Assessment of young children
- Good communication skills - verbal and written - with parents, staff and medical colleagues
- Ability to work under pressure
Desirable
- 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
- 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
- Clinical experience in paediatric assessment and treatment
Desirable
- Special needs - developmental, visually impaired, hearing impaired, other medical conditions
- Research/audit or willing to pursue if opportunity available
- Vision screening
- Extended roles
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BMedSci /BSc in Orthoptics or DBO in Orthoptics and Registration with HCPC as an Orthoptist
Desirable
- Teaching qualification or willingness to undertake clinical supervision of Orthoptic undergraduates on placement
- BIOS membership
Knowledge
Essential
- Assessment of young children
- Good communication skills - verbal and written - with parents, staff and medical colleagues
- Ability to work under pressure
Desirable
- 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
- 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
- Clinical experience in paediatric assessment and treatment
Desirable
- Special needs - developmental, visually impaired, hearing impaired, other medical conditions
- Research/audit or willing to pursue if opportunity available
- Vision screening
- Extended roles
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.
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.
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).
