Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Orthoptist - SEN and VPD Support

The closing date is 01 May 2026

Job summary

Are you an Orthoptist looking to develop your understanding and skills within the area of Paediatric Ophthalmology?

Do you enjoy working not only in the out-patient hospital environment but also within a community clinic and SEN school setting?

Have you got a passion for promoting the work of the Orthoptist to others?

If the answer is YESto the above then we have the perfect job for you!

We are looking to recruit an Orthoptist for a period of 12 months to cover maternity leave, you will support our Orthoptic Sub-speciality Leads and work alongside other specialist Orthoptists already involved in this caseload, as well as undertaking various additional orthoptic hospital and community clinics and the chance to be involved in orthoptic teaching that the whole team participate in.

This is an amazing opportunity for an Orthoptist with experience of core orthoptics , along with experience in the SEN and VPD caseload with a passion for education to join our well-established team to provide not only an excellent standard of care to all patients but to develop themselves within a sub-speciality role too.

Main duties of the job

To support the Orthoptic SEN and VPD Leadto provide clinical assessment, management and multidisciplinary working in thehospitaloutpatient, communityandschoolsetting for individuals who havea SEN or VPDdiagnosis.

Responsible for providing specialised Orthopticservices as an autonomous practitioner withinthehospitalsettingand community outreach clinics,accepting direct referral of patientsof all ages who have a wide spectrum of ocular motility disorders and visual problems.

To assess, diagnose,manageand treat patients of allages referred to the Orthoptist,being responsible fortheinstigation of follow-up care and/or onward referral to thesub-speciality Orthoptists/Optometrists/Ophthalmologistsasappropriate.

To be involved in the clinical teaching ofundergraduate Orthoptists,pre-registration Optometrists, medicalstudentsand other healthcare professionals asrequired.

About us

We have 10000 fantastic people working hard to deliver quality services to our patients. Whatever your role, you help look after 370,000 people in our local area & give specialist care to 1.5 million people across Lancashire & Cumbria.

Working with us gives you the knowledge and sense of pride that every activity you do genuinely does make a difference to support our patients & staff, ensuring we keep thriving & delivering outstanding healthcare right across our local towns.

You'll have access to varied development opportunities, learn new skills, meet fab people & do things you'd never have done. You'll learn about working in a hospital, interacting with people from all different roles to build skills & enhance your career path.

You'll make an impact, be challenged to think differently, be bold & help innovate to keep improving things. Everything we do centres around patient care which means your role is pivotal and something really to be proud of.

Details

Date posted

20 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

438-PB4046

Job locations

Royal Preston Hospital

Sharoe Green Lane

Preston

PR2 9HT


Job description

Job responsibilities

To support a combination of the SEN and VPD caseload to provide clinical assessment, management and multidisciplinary working in the hospital outpatient, community and school setting for individuals with various orthoptic diagnosis and SEN and VPD diagnosis.

Responsible for providing specialised Orthoptic services as an autonomous practitioner within the hospital setting and community outreach clinics, accepting direct referral of patients of all ages who have a wide spectrum of ocular motility disorders and visual problems.

To assess, diagnose, manage and treat patients of all ages referred to the Orthoptist, being responsible for the instigation of follow-up care and/or onward referral to the sub-speciality Orthoptists/Optometrists/Ophthalmologists as appropriate.

To be involved in the clinical teaching of undergraduate Orthoptists, pre-registration Optometrists, medical students and other health care professionals as required.

Duties will include, but not be limited to:

  • To support the Orthoptic Subspeciality Lead within the area of SEN and VPD in the assessment and management of patients within this speciality.
  • Responsible for providing specialised Orthoptic services as an autonomous practitioner within the hospital setting and community outreach clinics, accepting direct referral of patients of all ages who have a wide spectrum of ocular motility disorders and visual problems.
  • To assess, diagnose, manage and treat patients of all ages referred to the Orthoptist, being responsible for the instigation of follow-up care and/or onward referral to the sub-speciality Orthoptists/Optometrists/Ophthalmologists as appropriate.
  • To be involved in the clinical teaching of undergraduate Orthoptists, pre-registration Optometrists, medical students and other health care professionals as required.
  • To act at all times in a manner that upholds the Trusts values and Health Care Professionals Council standards and goals, working as part of a team to ensure that patients and relatives receive excellent care with compassion.
  • Assess, plan, implement and review care to meet patients orthoptic needs in accordance with agreed local and national standards and evidence based guidelines.
  • Demonstrate competency in the use of all orthoptic equipment and techniques.
  • Support and provide patient education and health promotion.
  • Be responsible for the delivery and co-ordination of orthoptic care, through appropriate professional practice.
  • Proactively manage risk and maintain patient safety, conforming to health, safety and security legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines.
  • Assist in setting, monitoring and maintaining standards of care to improve the patient experience and outcome of care.
  • Communicate all relevant information to the multidisciplinary team internally and with external organisations as required, to ensure seamless care.
  • Maintain accurate and complete records of all care activities, in a timely manner, adhering to local and professional standards for documentation.
  • Act as a role model, presenting a positive image of self, team and organisation.
  • Promote equality in care and practice by recognising, respecting and meeting the needs and choices of individuals.
  • Ensures environment of care is safe, well equipped and compliant with standards for hygiene and cleanliness.
  • Maintain and develop own professional competence and seek to extend the scope of personal knowledge and skills within the scope of role and professional practice.
  • Proactively engage with Trust wide or local changes and developments in service provision.
  • Actively try to resolve issues and complaints at local level and then report the outcome to the line manager.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To support a combination of the SEN and VPD caseload to provide clinical assessment, management and multidisciplinary working in the hospital outpatient, community and school setting for individuals with various orthoptic diagnosis and SEN and VPD diagnosis.

Responsible for providing specialised Orthoptic services as an autonomous practitioner within the hospital setting and community outreach clinics, accepting direct referral of patients of all ages who have a wide spectrum of ocular motility disorders and visual problems.

To assess, diagnose, manage and treat patients of all ages referred to the Orthoptist, being responsible for the instigation of follow-up care and/or onward referral to the sub-speciality Orthoptists/Optometrists/Ophthalmologists as appropriate.

To be involved in the clinical teaching of undergraduate Orthoptists, pre-registration Optometrists, medical students and other health care professionals as required.

Duties will include, but not be limited to:

  • To support the Orthoptic Subspeciality Lead within the area of SEN and VPD in the assessment and management of patients within this speciality.
  • Responsible for providing specialised Orthoptic services as an autonomous practitioner within the hospital setting and community outreach clinics, accepting direct referral of patients of all ages who have a wide spectrum of ocular motility disorders and visual problems.
  • To assess, diagnose, manage and treat patients of all ages referred to the Orthoptist, being responsible for the instigation of follow-up care and/or onward referral to the sub-speciality Orthoptists/Optometrists/Ophthalmologists as appropriate.
  • To be involved in the clinical teaching of undergraduate Orthoptists, pre-registration Optometrists, medical students and other health care professionals as required.
  • To act at all times in a manner that upholds the Trusts values and Health Care Professionals Council standards and goals, working as part of a team to ensure that patients and relatives receive excellent care with compassion.
  • Assess, plan, implement and review care to meet patients orthoptic needs in accordance with agreed local and national standards and evidence based guidelines.
  • Demonstrate competency in the use of all orthoptic equipment and techniques.
  • Support and provide patient education and health promotion.
  • Be responsible for the delivery and co-ordination of orthoptic care, through appropriate professional practice.
  • Proactively manage risk and maintain patient safety, conforming to health, safety and security legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines.
  • Assist in setting, monitoring and maintaining standards of care to improve the patient experience and outcome of care.
  • Communicate all relevant information to the multidisciplinary team internally and with external organisations as required, to ensure seamless care.
  • Maintain accurate and complete records of all care activities, in a timely manner, adhering to local and professional standards for documentation.
  • Act as a role model, presenting a positive image of self, team and organisation.
  • Promote equality in care and practice by recognising, respecting and meeting the needs and choices of individuals.
  • Ensures environment of care is safe, well equipped and compliant with standards for hygiene and cleanliness.
  • Maintain and develop own professional competence and seek to extend the scope of personal knowledge and skills within the scope of role and professional practice.
  • Proactively engage with Trust wide or local changes and developments in service provision.
  • Actively try to resolve issues and complaints at local level and then report the outcome to the line manager.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Education

Essential

  • Degree in Orthoptics (or equivalent).
  • Professional registration with the Health Care Professional Council (HCPC).
  • Evidence of appropriate ongoing professional development.

Desirable

  • Evidence of postgraduate training and certificates
  • SEN Masters Module or other relevant qualification/training
  • Teaching qualification or willingness to undertake 2 day BIOS course
  • Member of BIOS and associated CAGs

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Proven knowledge of the investigation, diagnosis and management of a broad range of specialist and complex Orthoptic patients and be able to explain findings to patients/parents/carers/students/GP's and other health professionals on varying levels.
  • Proven knowledge of formulating treatment plans involving complex facts and situations and problem solving techniques and be able to explain these to patients/parents/carers/students/GP's and other health professionals on varying levels.
  • Proven ability to work single handed in the hospital and or community clinic.
  • Proven postgraduate clinical experience.
  • Evidence of CPD Knowledge of relevant national policies and procedures relating to role.
  • Experience of an Orthoptic SEN caseload
  • Experience of a VPD caseload

Desirable

  • Experience of various Neurological conditions seen by Orthoptists
  • Evidence of Audit
  • Evidence of Research
  • Awareness of Dementia
  • Experience of teaching orthoptic undergraduates and or other health professionals and students
Person Specification

Qualifications and Education

Essential

  • Degree in Orthoptics (or equivalent).
  • Professional registration with the Health Care Professional Council (HCPC).
  • Evidence of appropriate ongoing professional development.

Desirable

  • Evidence of postgraduate training and certificates
  • SEN Masters Module or other relevant qualification/training
  • Teaching qualification or willingness to undertake 2 day BIOS course
  • Member of BIOS and associated CAGs

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Proven knowledge of the investigation, diagnosis and management of a broad range of specialist and complex Orthoptic patients and be able to explain findings to patients/parents/carers/students/GP's and other health professionals on varying levels.
  • Proven knowledge of formulating treatment plans involving complex facts and situations and problem solving techniques and be able to explain these to patients/parents/carers/students/GP's and other health professionals on varying levels.
  • Proven ability to work single handed in the hospital and or community clinic.
  • Proven postgraduate clinical experience.
  • Evidence of CPD Knowledge of relevant national policies and procedures relating to role.
  • Experience of an Orthoptic SEN caseload
  • Experience of a VPD caseload

Desirable

  • Experience of various Neurological conditions seen by Orthoptists
  • Evidence of Audit
  • Evidence of Research
  • Awareness of Dementia
  • Experience of teaching orthoptic undergraduates and or other health professionals and students

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

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Preston Hospital

Sharoe Green Lane

Preston

PR2 9HT


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Preston Hospital

Sharoe Green Lane

Preston

PR2 9HT


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Head Orthoptist

Claire Critchley

claire.critchley@lthtr.nhs.uk

07517829882

Details

Date posted

20 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

438-PB4046

Job locations

Royal Preston Hospital

Sharoe Green Lane

Preston

PR2 9HT


Supporting documents

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