Specialist Orthoptist

Job Summary We are seeking an enthusiastic, experienced and motivated new member of our team to work in Herefordshire and beyond. Your Orthoptic workload will be extremely varied including paediatric, ocular motility and acute cases via our busy eye casualty. We have an Orthoptic delivered school and pre-school age vision screening programme and undertake pre-operative biometry and Goldmann visual fields. We run a stroke service and have Orthoptic undergraduates in the department regularly. You will be expected to develop and maintain a high quality Orthoptic service in line with recognised professional standards, care-pathways and best practice to deliver the business objectives in line with Trusts policies and service protocols. We seek an enthusiastic and highly motivated Orthoptist to work as an autonomous practitioner to undertake highly specialised orthoptic assessment, diagnosis and management of any patients referred to the Orthoptic department. The successful candidate will join a supportive and innovative team of Orthoptists. You will work within a multi-disciplinary team including, technicians, Ophthalmic nurses, HCAs and Consultant Ophthalmologists, including specialists in paediatric and strabismus, Oculoplastics, Glaucoma and Vitreal and medical retina. We are a teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Birmingham and have three Ophthalmic Speciality trainees from the West Midlands Deanery. We have a strong emphasis on ongoing training and CPD. Main duties of the job To work autonomously as an advanced practitioner in undertaking highly specialised orthoptic assessment, diagnosis and management. To be the specialist lead in one of the following: biometry, primary vision screening, pre-school screening, special educational needs, stroke or refraction. To undertake the role of mentor and clinical supervisor for the department with responsibility for providing mentoring for orthoptic students on placement to the department and to newly appointed junior orthoptic staff as required by the Clinical Tutor and Clinical Lead. Applicants must have a degree/diploma in Orthoptics, current registration with the HCPC and be able to demonstrate their experience and specialist knowledge in any one of biometry, primary vision screening, pre-school screening, special educational needs, stroke or refraction and to be a member of the BIOS special interest group and to feedback to the department when appropriate. About Us Wye Valley NHS Trust is a member of an NHS Foundation Group with South Warwickshire University NHS FT, George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust and Worcestershire Acute NHS Hospitals Trust. Located on the border with Wales in the shadow of the Black Mountains, we provide acute and community services across Herefordshire and into parts of Powys and run Hereford County Hospital and the community hospitals in Bromyard, Leominster and Ross-on-Wye. We are a progressive and forward looking trust with ambitious plans to improve quality and integrate patient pathways through close collaborative working with our partners to deliver the quality of care we want for our family and friends. More than 3,000 people work for the Trust they tell us its a great place to work, blending the busyness of a DGH with the benefits of working in a beautiful rural and unspoilt county like Herefordshire. We can offer a great work-life balance and have a fine tradition of working with staff to help them achieve their full potential. Russell Hardy, Trust Chairman: "The strength of the Trust is its amazing staff; a great place to work, a great place to develop your career and a great place to reach your potential." Our values - Care, Accountability, Respect and Excellence - are at the heart of all we do. We believe in providing the right care in the right place at the right time. Details Date posted: 13 November 2025 Pay scheme: Agenda for change Band: Band 6 Salary: £38,682 to £46,580 a year pa pro rata Contract: Permanent Working pattern: Full-time Reference number: 229-SUR-7597931 Job locations: Orthoptic Department, Eign Suite, Hereford County Hospital, Hereford, HR1 2ER Person Specification Essential Education & Qualifications: To possess a BSc (orthoptics), Bmedski (orthoptics) or equivalent. To be registered with the HCPC (Health Care Professions Council). Desirable Previous knowledge and experience in any one of the following: Primary vision screening, pre-school screening, Special education needs, stroke, biometry or cycloplegic refractions. Essential Skills, Knowledge & Abilities Ability to develop good working relationships with hospital staff at all levels. Ability to work independently or as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Ability to manage time and resources. To have good organisational and planning skills. Ability to write clearly and keep and maintain appropriate records at all times ensuring that paperwork is filed promptly into case notes. To have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people. To demonstrate the ability to deal tactfully and efficiently with patients and their carers. Good written and verbal communication skills, and ability to utilise a range of verbal and non verbal communication methods. Essential Experience Proven experience in all aspects of clinical Orthoptics and specialist services. 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. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website. Employer details Wye Valley NHS Trust Orthoptic Department, Eign Suite, Hereford County Hospital, Hereford, HR1 2ER Employer's website: https://www.wyevalley.nhs.uk/ Seniority level Mid-Senior level Employment type Full-time Job function Health Care Provider Industries: Optometrists #J-18808-Ljbffr