Orthoptist

Latest jobs at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals

Site: The Orthoptic Department, Blackpool Victoria Hospital – Town Blackpool

Salary: £39,959 - £48,117 per annum

Salary period: Yearly

Closing date: 29/07/2026 23:59

We welcome and encourage applications from anyone with protected characteristics, reservists, and veterans.

Job Overview

Blackpool Orthoptic Department is seeking a highly motivated Orthoptist to support the Orthoptic Service at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

The role involves comprehensive orthoptic duties, examining adult and paediatric patients, providing paediatric services in the Women and Children’s Unit, visual screening in schools as needed. Excellent communication and people skills are essential.

The Orthoptist will work within a team of 9 Orthoptists, 3 optometrists, and 6 Ophthalmic Technicians.

Responsibility

• Manage own clinical caseload and related administrative tasks promptly.
• Provide administrative and basic managerial duties, particularly in absence of the Head Orthoptist.
• Manage community paediatric clinics, including appointment management and discharge planning.
• Support SEN Special School Screening and associated administrative duties.
• Ensure efficient use of physical resources, make recommendations for equipment and supplies, maintain clinical equipment.
• Participate in appraisal, clinical supervision, and develop personal development plans.
• Demonstrate clinical practice to other professionals (doctors, trainees, optometrists).
• Attend staff meetings, in-house training, journal clubs, and present at clinical meetings.
• Keep up-to-date with research and new developments in Orthoptics.
• Engage in reflective practice and formal clinical/non-clinical audits.
• Communicate with medical, optometry, nursing, AHPs, and clerical staff to maintain high patient care.
• Help develop new protocols and plan Orthoptic services.
• Update patient information and service user feedback.
• Act as a role model, exhibit professional behaviour, and treat staff with dignity and respect.
• Promote the Orthoptic profession both within the Trust and externally.
• Manage own Orthoptic caseload independently, assess, plan, and monitor treatment of complex conditions using evidence-based practice.
• Triage new patient referrals, prioritise urgent referrals, and allocate appointments.
• Perform comprehensive orthoptic investigations and diagnostics, taking detailed histories.
• Create individualised treatment plans using advanced clinical reasoning.
• Communicate effectively with patients, parents, and carers to obtain informed consent and assess adherence.
• Conduct pre‑operative and post‑operative measurements, discuss surgical options and risk with patients/parents and surgeons.
• Assist with post‑operative adjustable sutures.
• Discuss timing of surgery with patients.
• Maintain manual dexterity, speed, hand‑eye coordination, and proficiency with orthoptic/ophthalmic equipment.
• Assess glasses prescriptions using manual and automated focimeters.
• Decide on eye drop instillation under patient group directions, advise on side effects.
• Assess patients with physical or intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviour.
• Offer visual and vision screening to children, diagnose vision problems, and refer appropriately.
• Maintain accurate patient records and provide timely summary letters.
• Participate in teaching other health professionals when required.

Person Specification – Education and Qualification

• Degree in Orthoptics or equivalent.
• State registration with HCPC.
• Car owner/driver.
• Specialist knowledge gained through postgraduate experience/qualification.

Experience and Knowledge

• Minimum of 2 years recent experience covering most aspects of Orthoptic practice.
• Experience teaching Orthoptics to undergraduates, other healthcare professionals, and students.
• Evidence of continued academic and clinical development.
• Awareness of relevant policies and procedures.
• Previous leadership experience.
• Experience in clinical audit.
• Experience in research.

Skills and Ability

• Excellent planning and organisational skills.
• Able to work independently and as a team member.
• Confident, motivated, enthusiastic.
• Flexible and reliable, adaptable to changing work conditions.
• Initiative and self‑motivation.
• Able to cope under stress and work under pressure.
• Professional approach in difficult or emotional situations.
• Compassionate and considerate attitude.
• Commitment to continued professional development.

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

Applicants may be required to complete a Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check, and costs will be deducted from salary.

Applicants may withdraw at any time; costs may apply.