Orthoptist Dorchester

Job summary

The Royal Eye Infirmary at Dorset County Hospital is looking to recruit an experienced and highly motivated Band 6 Orthoptist to join our friendly department. This is a permanent, part time post. The department is based at Dorset County Hospital, but we run single handed clinics in the community.

A diploma/degree in Orthoptics and HCPC registration is essential. The post holder will be expected to travel between the hospital site and various locations in the community to carry out peripheral clinics; therefore, a car driver is preferable.

The department currently runs paediatric and ocular motility clinics. Currently, orthoptists in our department have extended roles in stroke. We are also a placement site for Orthoptic students. Staff regularly participate in department audit, clinical governance and clinical teaching sessions. The post-holder will be supported by the Head Orthoptist.

UKVI Sponsorship: This role is eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). We welcome applications from individuals who require sponsorship to work in the UK. Sponsorship will be offered subject to meeting UKVI eligibility criteria.

Main duties of the job

• To assist in the provision of the Orthoptic services as an autonomous practitioner.
• Expected to work clinically to deliver a range of core Orthoptic services
• To provide Orthoptic assessment, diagnosis and management of patients of all ages and abilities, planning, implementing, and monitoring individual Orthoptic treatment plans / care pathways using clinical reasoning and evidence based practice.
• To support the Ophthalmology service as required.
• Applicants will have a degree or diploma in Orthoptics and be registered with HCPC.

About us

At DCHFT, we pride ourselves on the care we provide for our patients, and on the culture, we are creating for our staff. We work hard to create a fair, inclusive environment for our staff.

Our Mission is to provide outstanding care for people in ways which matter to them, and our vision is Dorset County Hospital, working with our health and social care partners, will be at the heart of improving the well-being of our communities.

We are a Trust that celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from people in all under-represented groups.

We understand that AI can be a useful tool when completing your application. However, we are seeing an increasing over-reliance of AI tools, which can negatively affect your application as it reduces a candidate's individuality, and makes it difficult for us to gain a clear and authentic understanding of your experience, skills, and in turn your suitability for the role.

All submissions must be truthful and if you do use AI, it should only be used to enhance your application and not create your supporting statement in its entirety. Your supporting statement should be in your own words and must accurately reflect your personal experience and achievements. Where we have concerns that AI has been used to generate content that misrepresents your experience and suitability for the role, we may withdraw your application.

Details

• Date posted: 28 August 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 6
• Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year Pro Rata Per Annum
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Part-time
• Reference number: 405-26-AHP440O
• Job locations: Dorset County Hospital, Williams Avenue, Dorchester, DT1 2JY, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

You will need to plan and prioritise your own workload. Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team of Ophthalmologists, Orthoptists, Optometrists, medical photographers, ophthalmic technicians, nurses, clerical staff and secretarial staff. Undertake correspondence with GPs and other colleagues. Deal with queries regarding appointments, internal referrals etc. that arise during the working day and to liaise with the senior Orthoptists to take the appropriate action Check clinical area is safe for patients and staff and report any hazards to the manager in a timely manner. Participate in regular Orthoptic departmental meetings giving feedback from courses and conferences attended. To participate in departmental audit and research where possible. To cover, as appropriate, for colleagues during periods of sick and annual leave. To report damage or functioning problems with equipment to the manager in a timely fashion.

Person Specification

Education, Qualifications & Training

Essential

• To possess an Orthoptic degree or diploma
• Evidence of CPD
• Registration with HCPC

Desirable

• Evidence of further training courses and conferences attended

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Experience of paediatric Orthoptics and experience assessing and managing children with additional needs
• Adult orthoptics: be able to investigate diagnose and manage a range of ocular motility disorders
• Experience assessing and managing complex neurological conditions
• Experience of diagnosing patients with complex conditions
• Experience of working in a team and single handed
• Experience of teaching other healthcare professionals
• Experience of departmental audits (review of banding)

Desirable

• Experience with teaching orthoptic students (review of banding)

Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Evidence of ability to maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, patients and visitors.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Effective time management skills and the ability to prioritise tasks.
• Ability to work autonomously and within a team.

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).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

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: Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Dorset County Hospital, Williams Avenue, Dorchester, DT1 2JY, United Kingdom

Employer's website: https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact: Assistant Service Manager, Forrest Townsend, Forrest.Townsend1@nhs.net, 01305254087