Deadline: 15 July 2026
Band 7: £49,387 – £56,515 per annum pro rata
Hours: 32 per week , all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
The opportunity is for an experienced Orthoptist to take on a key leadership role within a busy Orthoptic service. As Deputy Head Orthoptist, you will support the Head Orthoptist in the operational management, service development, clinical governance and education of the Orthoptic team. You will combine clinical practice with leadership responsibilities, contributing to high quality, patient centred care across a range of ophthalmic subspecialties while helping the service respond to demand.
You are a highly skilled and experienced Orthoptist with advanced theoretical knowledge and well developed clinical expertise. You are able to independently assess, diagnose and manage complex Orthoptic conditions and provide clinical leadership and support to colleagues. You have experience of service development, supervision, and supporting education and training, and you are motivated to contribute positively to team development and service improvement.
The Department is based in the Community Diagnostic Centre in the city centre, five minutes away from the hospital site. The department includes dedicated orthoptic rooms, consulting rooms, optometry rooms, treatment rooms and a theatre. Supporting a wide range of ophthalmic services within a modern and well equipped environment.
Interview date:19 August 2026
Main duties of the job
To take the lead and manage the operational element of the Orthoptic service.To deputise for the Head Orthoptist in their absence for other managerial elements of the service.To provide clinical and professional leadership to the Orthoptic service, deputising for the Head Orthoptist when necessary.To provide Orthoptic services as an autonomous practitioner, working within professional guidelines and policies, to provide a comprehensive and competent Orthoptic service to both paediatric and adult patients within the hospital and other locations as required.To provide assessment, diagnosis, management and treatment of patients presenting with a wide range of ophthalmic and ocular motility disorders.Undertake one or more specialised Orthoptic clinic roles such as Stroke, Orthoptic screening lead, intravitreal injections, ECLO, biometry clinics and assessment of children with additional needs (special educational needs/ visual impairment/ specific learning difficulties)To independently assess and manage complex neurological patients, referring on to the Consultant Ophthalmologist as required.Participate in departmental education programme, including the training of Orthoptic undergraduate students, pre-registration Optometrists, junior doctors, Health Visitors, School Nurses and others.
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- BSc (Hons) Orthoptics or equivalent
- Registered with the HCPC.
- Master’s degree or equivalent experience
Desirable
- Medical Exemptions qualification
- Post-degree study / qualifications in leadership / management in healthcare
- Completion of BIOS Clinical Tutors Course
Experience
Essential
- Significant post qualification experience in all aspects of clinical Orthoptics
- Demonstrable experience as a clinical lead in an orthoptic service
- Evidence of ongoing CPD
- Experience in audit
- Experience of working with children with special educational needs
- Evidence of advanced Orthoptic skills to be able to deal with complex and sensitive issues
- Knowledge of clinical governance and other current drivers and guidelines affecting practice
- Awareness of safeguarding responsibilities and identifying area of concern
- Understand the legal responsibilities of the profession
Desirable
- Experience in research
- Experience of undertaking intravitreal injections
- Trained in biometry and immersion as part of cataract service
- Experience in stroke service
- Experience in teaching and supervision of medical / orthoptic students
- Experience in formulating policies and guidelines
- Experience formulating EHCPs
Skills
Essential
- Significant computer literacy
- Excellent interpersonal skills with particular ability to liaise effectively with multidisciplinary team members
- Ability to make decisions, organise and prioritise
- Demonstrates excellent team working
- Ability to demonstrate motivation
- Excellent negotiating and influencing skills
- Experience of involvement in successful change within a service
Personal and people development
Essential
- To be approachable and maintain a good rapport with colleagues
- To be able to work independently
- Manually dexterous
- Receptive to change
- Adaptable
Communication
Essential
- Excellent communication skills – ability to provide and receive highly complex 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).
