About this role
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Orthoptist to join our friendly and dynamic team of Orthoptists, Ophthalmic Technicians and Orthoptic Assistants.
Main duties of the job
You will have a varied and interesting workload with the opportunity to work alongside ophthalmologists who are experts in their field including paediatric-ophthalmologists, neuro-ophthalmologists and more! Addenbrooke's is a tertiary referral centre and the department supports the development of extended roles. You will have the opportunity to be involved in audit, weekly teaching sessions, regional teaching days and possibly research.
This role has the option to be a development post, so is ideally suited to a candidate wanting to further their career or a newly qualified Orthoptist. It will initially be a Band 5 role, and progress to Band 6 once the required criteria (including completion of preceptorship) have been met. Preceptorship will be provided if required.
Please contact us if you would like to visit the department.
Welcome subsidy provided to the successful candidate.
About us
Our Trust
Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 11000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people - patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing 'outstanding' care to our patients and rated 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH's values - Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent - are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.
CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people's age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.
Job description Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:
applied for a Graduate visa or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment Please note that we cannot accept applications from individuals who do not have the right to work in the UK or who have less than 6 months remaining on their visa from the proposed start date. The advert will close at midnight on 24 August 2026.
Interviews are due to be held on 3 September 2026.
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Orthoptic qualification recognised for State Registration (Diploma or Degree) State registration with the HCPC
Desirable
Recognised clinical teaching qualification Batchelor's degree awarded at 2:1 or above Exemptions qualification
Experience Essential
Experience of orthoptic assessment of children and adults Experience of assessment of children with special needs and genetic anomalies Experience in a tertiary referral hospital
Desirable
NHS experience Experience of Orthoptic / Optometrist led Clinics and Community Clinics Experience of Humphrey visual fields including visual field interpretation Experience of Optical Coherence Tomography Experience of clinical supervision and assessment of students Experience of audit / research Experience in an Outreach setting
Knowledge Essential
Evidence of good orthoptic knowledge relating to management of complex ocular motility and assessment of children and adults Good awareness of Health and Safety issues relating to the delivery of services off site
Desirable
Demonstrate an understanding of clinical governance Demonstrate an understanding of Trust policies and procedures
Skills Essential
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills Ability to maintain clear and accurate patient records Able and willing to undertake ophthalmic training / ophthalmic course Self-motivating Demonstrates initiative
Desirable
Excellent administrative skills Demonstrates evidence of ability to educate others Proficient in IT
Additional Requirements Essential
The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Safe, Kind, Excellent. Good interpersonal and communication skills Demonstrates a good awareness of own role and responsibilities within a team Awareness of personal strengths and weaknesses Maintain reflective CPD portfolio following BIOS / HCPC guidelines Work to requirements of the Code of Practice and Professional Standards of the British and Irish Orthoptic Society (BIOS)
Desirable
UK driving licence and access to car
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).
Employer details Employer name Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address Addenbrookes Hospital-Division D
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB20QQ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.cuh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)