About this role
Job summary
We are seeking a Band 6 Specialist Orthoptist to join our service based at Frimley Park Hospital, with cross-site working across Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust. You will work as an autonomous practitioner, delivering high-quality Orthoptic care to a diverse patient population across outpatient, inpatient and community settings.
The role involves assessing, diagnosing, and managing a wide range of Orthoptic conditions, including paediatric and adult patients, complex ocular motility disorders, amblyopia, and neurological conditions. You will work closely within a multidisciplinary team, contributing to safe, effective, and patient-centred care.
You will also have opportunities to develop extended clinical skills in specialist areas such as glaucoma, low vision, stroke, refraction, and pre-operative cataract assessment, with training provided where required.
We are looking for a motivated individual with excellent clinical, communication, and organisational skills, committed to delivering high standards of care in line with Frimley Health's values of Committed to Excellence, Working Together, and Facing the Future.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work as an autonomous practitioner, providing a comprehensive Orthoptic service across Frimley Health sites.
Key responsibilities include:
Assessing, diagnosing, and managing patients referred to the Orthoptic Department, including complex paediatric and adult cases Planning, implementing, and evaluating individual treatment programmes using advanced clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice Managing a wide range of conditions including ocular motility defects, amblyopia, neurological conditions, and congenital or acquired visual disorders Evaluating visual acuity in patients with diverse needs, including infants, patients with learning difficulties, and those with complex presentations Formulating discharge plans and arranging onward referrals where appropriate Working collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team including ophthalmology, paediatrics, neurology, and allied health professionals Delivering clinics across multiple sites and contributing to community/off-site services Undertaking extended roles such as glaucoma, low vision, stroke, refraction, and cataract pre-operative assessment (training supported as required) Maintaining accurate clinical records and contributing to audit, service development, and quality improvement Supporting patient education and promoting understanding of conditions and treatment plans
The role requires flexibility to work across Trust sites; therefore, the ability to travel is essential.
About us
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust is committed to being an inclusive and disability confident employer and has been awarded the Gold for the Armed Forces Employment Recognition Scheme. We provide first class development opportunities for all staff and have a wide range of professional, management and leadership, and clinical skills training available.
Here at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, we know how important it is to have a healthy work life balance; this benefits not only individuals but the patients we care for too.
We encourage applications from people who wish to work on a flexible basis, recognising that flexibility may mean a range of different working patterns and hours, we do our utmost to work with our staff to meet their needs and the needs of our service and its users.
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Job description Job responsibilities
For a full list of responsibilities and tasks associated with this role, please refer to the job description/person specification attached to thisvacancy.
Person Specification
Qualification Essential
Diploma or Degree of British Orthoptics Registration with Health Professional Council
Desirable
Management qualification or working towards
Skills and Knowledge Essential
Excellent communication skills Good leadership skills Team worker Good time management and organisational skills Computer literate and able to utilise programmes like word and excel
Desirable
Clinical Teaching qualification Experience in orthoptic extended roles
Specail Requirements Essential
Car Driver Knowledge of current NHS trends which influence service provisions Clinical teaching experience Evidence of on-going training and development
Desirable
Keen for professional development
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.
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 Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
Address Frimley Park Hospital
Portsmouth Road
Frimley
GU16 7UJ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.fhft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)