About this role
Job summary
Are you an experienced orthoptist or newly qualified in your early career?Are you looking to gain experience in a broad range of routine and more complex conditions across both paediatric and adult orthoptics?If so don't miss this fantastic opportunity to join our large, friendly and supportive team.
As one of the country's leading Ophthalmology units, the Newcastle Eye Centre continually improves how it offers high quality services for patients, and excellent career satisfaction for its staff.
Our visionary approach includes working closely with our consultant colleagues and other eye professionals to ensure we can provide healthcare at its best with people at our heart and we would love to hear from those who share our vision of collaborative working.
Interview Date : 8 July 2026 37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy NO AGENCIES PLEASE
Main duties of the job
To assess and diagnose adult and paediatric cases registered within Orthoptics/Ophthalmology Create and deliver specialised individual treatment programmes as agreed with the client To demonstrate Orthoptics to orthoptic undergraduates and other health professionals and junior medical staff To work within the Directorate of Ophthalmology, a teaching facility and tertiary referral centre for patients with complex eye problems To work as a member of the multidisciplinary team in a supported environment Responsible for patients undergoing orthoptic treatment as in-patients or out-patients and to liaise with experienced orthoptists regarding problems arising To individually and/or in conjunction with colleagues, formulate individualised treatment plans for children and adults attending routine and specialist clinics Generate comprehensive patient records to reflect the Trust standard Provide advice to patients/carers regarding care and treatment Incorporate research-based evidence into orthoptic practice Work within the scope and code of professional practice Observe clinical guidelines and work within specific protocols where appropriate
About us
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
With around 2 million contacts with patients every year, we deliver care from:
Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) Freeman Hospital Newcastle Dental Hospital Cramlington Manor Walks Urgent treatment centres Newcastle Fertility Centre Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria Northern Genetics Service
These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.
We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under 'Documents to download' or 'Supporting documents'.
For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Job description Job responsibilities
Our Orthoptic Department is no exception and we are delighted to be in a position to seek 1 WTE Orthoptist to join the large team at the Royal Victoria Infirmary. We have a diverse clinical workload including paediatrics, adult motility, neuro-ophthalmology, thyroid and oculo-plastics in both community and hospital settings as well as involvement in pre-school orthoptic assessment clinics.
Such a comprehensive range of services means we are in the enviable position of being able to offer opportunities for training and development in specific areas of interest, according to service need, plus exceptional opportunities for continuing professional development (CPD) as we seek to ensure every member of our staff is provided with the relevant training and support needed to liberate their potential.
Other duties include provision of post graduate training across a wide range of disciplines including Orthoptic under-graduates, pre-registration Optometrists, nursing staff, and junior medical staff preparing for Royal College of Ophthalmologists exams and participation in clinical and medical audit and research.
This is a fantastic opportunity to work within a large tertiary referral centre and applications are welcomed from newly and recently qualified Orthoptists. Consideration will be given to applicants who do not meet the criteria for Band 6 who meet the criteria for appointment at Band 5.
Appointment in these circumstances will be subject to satisfactory completion of a specified period of supervision and training before moving to Band 6. If appointed at Band 5, to attain Band 6 you will be required to have significant post-graduate experience and achieve a portfolio of evidence demonstrating specialist skills and experience necessary for clinical assessment within orthoptic subspecialties (e.g. neuro-ophthalmology, thyroid, neonatal, genetics). Failure to attain the significant post-graduate experience and portfolio of evidence within 18 months of date of appointment may result in a review of your employment.
A Degree or Diploma in Orthoptics and State Registration with the HCPC is essential. A car driver/owner is desirable.
There is huge scope for personal and professional progression here in Newcastle. If you think this is a role you would relish then we would love to hear from you.
Job Purpose
Band 6
As an autonomous practitioner to accept, assess and diagnose adult and paediatric cases and make appropriate referrals To be responsible for the routine organisation of orthoptic services within outreach clinics and orthoptic screening Creating and delivering specialised individual treatment programmes as agreed with the client To teach orthoptics to orthoptic undergraduates and other health professionals and junior medical staff Band 5
To assess and diagnose adult and paediatric cases registered with the ophthalmologist Creating and delivering specialised individual treatment programmes as agreed with the client To demonstrate orthoptics to orthoptic undergraduates and other health professionals and junior medical staff
Person Specification
Meets All Band 6 Criteria Essential
oPortfolio of evidence demonstrating specialist skills needed for neuro/thyroid/neo-natal/paediatric orthoptic assessments oGood evaluation and organisational skills oGood interpersonal and communication skills oBasic IT skills oPervious post-graduate comprehensive clinical experience oAbility to work in a single-handed capacity oEvidence of teamwork oBachelor of Science in Orthoptics (BSc (Orth) or Bmed Sci (Orthoptics) or Diploma of the British Orthoptic Council (DBO) oRegistered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
Desirable
oTeaching methods oInterest in self development with ability to evaluate learning opportunities oAbility to use Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint oTeaching skills oPresentation skills oExperience of research methodology and clinical audit oExperience of screening oRecognised teaching qualification e.g. CGLI 7307/7407 oCar driver with access to car
Meets All Band 5 Criteria Essential
oPortfolio of evidence demonstrating specialist skills needed for neuro/thyroid/neo-natal/paediatric orthoptic assessments oAwareness of evidence based medicine and its impact upon clinical practice oGood organisational skills oGood time management oAttendance at various clinical placements throughout the UK oDegree in Orthoptics/Diploma of British Orthoptic Council oState registration with the Health Professions Council
Desirable
oBasic IT skills oEvidence of team working oAbility to work single-handed/autonomously oActive involvement in clinical audit oExperience of research methodology oUK recognised driving licence
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 The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address Royal Victoria Infirmary
317 02 Royal Victoria Infirmary
NE1 4LP
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://careers.nuth.nhs.uk/why-us (Opens in a new tab)