Specialist Orthoptist

An opportunity has arisen at Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust for an experienced Orthoptist. We are looking for a full time Band 6 Orthoptist (37.5hours/week), to work as part of our friendly team, consisting of ten Orthoptists, ten consultant Ophthalmologists, and eight Optometrists.

This post is permanent and is aimed at supporting the expansion of our special educational needs service and our clinical teaching. An interest in special educational needs assessment and experience in in teaching undergraduate orthoptic students would be desirable.

Main duties will involve both acute and community clinics, seeing adult and paediatric orthoptic patients as well as supporting specialist joint doctor clinics. Opportunities to work directly in the special educational needs are available to this post holder, as well as exposure to other enhanced roles within neuro-ophthalmology, low vision and stroke.

The position is based at Arrowe Park Hospital with a high proportion of community clinics across the Wirral Peninsula.

We are an accredited department for orthoptic under-graduates on placement and as a teaching hospital we are involved in the clinical teaching of medical students, junior doctors, student nurses and pre-registration optometrists. An interest/experience in teaching will therefore be an advantage, this role will include working with our lead clinical to support delivery of our undergraduate orthoptic student teaching program. We are committed to CPD and allocate time for this, in line with BIOS guidance.

All new colleagues can expect to receive a warm and friendly Wirral welcome from the very first time they make contact with us. We are described as “competent and caring staff” by our patients.

Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is situated on The Wirral peninsula which has a stunning coastline and beautiful countryside surroundings, with great activities for its residents.

We are one of the largest and busiest acute Trusts in the North West of England, comprising of the Wirral’s only Emergency Department. We provide a high quality range of acute care services and employ over 6,000 staff, who serve a population of approximately 400,000 people across Wirral, Ellesmere Port, Neston, North Wales and the wider North West footprint.

We have approximately 855 beds trust-wide and our financial turnover is in excess of £337m.

The Wirral is easily accessible with excellent transport links including motorway, train, bus or ferry and within easy reach to the major cities of Liverpool, Chester and Manchester as well as neighbouring North Wales.

A degree or equivalent in Orthoptics and state registration with the HCPC is essential. Post-graduate experience is required with excellent communication skills and a teaching qualification is desirable.

This post would be suitable for an orthoptist who has completed their preceptorship year and has sufficient clinical experience to work single handed.

A clinical teaching qualification is desirable.