Job summary
We are looking for a compassionate individual focused on core Orthoptics, with an interest in working with patients with autism and learning disability, to support the core services.
This position will sit within the Core domain and may also be suitable for newly qualified Orthoptists and those who have completed their preceptorship and are looking to consolidate their practice. Newly qualified Orthoptists will be supported by the Orthoptic preceptorship programme. The pay grade offered will depend on experience.
The orthoptic department works on 3 sessions days Monday – Friday and a 2 session day on a Saturday to offer as much opportunity as possible for our patients to attend. Currently sessions at Trafford and Altrincham hospitals are over 2 session days Monday – Friday. MFT adheres to the flexible working policy, which is available to all staff, to ensure that you have a healthy work life balance.
Main duties of the job
Reporting directly to the Principal Orthoptist for Core Orthoptic Services, you will be an integral part of the team;
Providing comprehensive, high quality Orthoptic services as an autonomous practitioner. This requires knowledge and interpretation of professional guidelines and includes inpatients and outpatients attending the Orthoptic and Ophthalmology services,
Working as an effective member of the multi-disciplinary team within Manchester Royal Eye Hospital and any Manchester Foundation Trust (MFT) off site clinics,
Assessing, diagnosing and managing (including onward referrals and safe discharge) new and follow up paediatric patients with visual impairment, ocular motility disorders and amblyopia as well as new and follow up adult patients with ocular motility disorders.
About us
MFT is England’s largest NHS Trust with a turnover of & is on a different scale than most other NHS Trusts. We’re creating an exceptional integrated health & social care system for the 1 million patients who rely on our services every year.
Bringing together 10 hospitals & community services from across Manchester, Trafford & beyond, we champion collaborative working & transformation, encouraging our 28,000 workforce to pursue their most ambitious goals. We set standards that other Trusts seek to emulate so you’ll benefit from a scale of opportunity that is nothing short of extraordinary.
We’ve also created a digitally enabled organisation to improve clinical quality, patient & staff experience, operational effectiveness & driving research and innovation through the introduction of Hive; our brand-new Electronic Patient Record system which we’ve launched in September 2022.
We’re proud to be a major academic Research Centre & Education provider, providing you with a robust infrastructure to encourage and facilitate high-quality research programmes. What’s more, we’re excited to be embarking on our new Green Plan which will set out how MFT continues to play its part in making healthcare more sustainable.
At MFT, we create and foster a culture of inclusion and belonging, provide equal opportunities for career development that are fair, open and transparent, protecting your health and wellbeing and shaping the future of our organisation together.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading. So that youre even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, youll need to take time to read the Candidate Essentials Guide that sits with the Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides you with details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how we care for you as you care for others. Most importantly, it also contains critical information youll need to be aware of before you submit an application form.
COVID-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients from the virus when working in our healthcare settings. Whilst COVID-19 vaccination is not currently a condition of employment, we do encourage our staff to get vaccinated. If you are unvaccinated, there is helpful advice and information available by searching on the NHS England website where you can also find out more about how to access the vaccination.
Diversity Matters
MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, email our team at
Were looking forward to hearing from you!
Job description
Job responsibilities
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading. So that youre even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, youll need to take time to read the Candidate Essentials Guide that sits with the Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides you with details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how we care for you as you care for others. Most importantly, it also contains critical information youll need to be aware of before you submit an application form.
COVID-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients from the virus when working in our healthcare settings. Whilst COVID-19 vaccination is not currently a condition of employment, we do encourage our staff to get vaccinated. If you are unvaccinated, there is helpful advice and information available by searching on the NHS England website where you can also find out more about how to access the vaccination.
Diversity Matters
MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, email our team at
Were looking forward to hearing from you!
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Orthoptics BSc (Hons) OR BSc (Hons) Orthoptics OR Orthoptics BMedSci OR Diploma from British Orthoptic Council (DBO)
- To be registered with Health and Care Professions Council
Desirable
- Training in Makaton or other sign language communication
- Medical exemptions for orthoptists (post graduate)
Knowledge
Essential
- Broad range of knowledge in orthoptics
- To demonstrate an interest in Ophthalmology and be willing to keep up to date with current literature, including evidence of CPD
Desirable
- Awareness of reasonable adjustments
- Awareness of Transition process
- Awareness of audit and research
- Knowledge and experience of visual field testing
Training and Experience
Essential
- Evidence and awareness of continuing professional development
- Ability to work without direct supervision, autonomously and as part of a multidisciplinary team
Desirable
- Interest in participating and presenting audit research
- GCP training
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Good organisational and planning skills
- Good presentation skills
- Understanding of and ability to maintain patient confidentiality
- Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to gain co-operation in a wide range of ages, ability and understanding
Desirable
- IT skills – for information and communication including PowerPoint and Excel
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Orthoptics BSc (Hons) OR BSc (Hons) Orthoptics OR Orthoptics BMedSci OR Diploma from British Orthoptic Council (DBO)
- To be registered with Health and Care Professions Council
Desirable
- Training in Makaton or other sign language communication
- Medical exemptions for orthoptists (post graduate)
Knowledge
Essential
- Broad range of knowledge in orthoptics
- To demonstrate an interest in Ophthalmology and be willing to keep up to date with current literature, including evidence of CPD
Desirable
- Awareness of reasonable adjustments
- Awareness of Transition process
- Awareness of audit and research
- Knowledge and experience of visual field testing
Training and Experience
Essential
- Evidence and awareness of continuing professional development
- Ability to work without direct supervision, autonomously and as part of a multidisciplinary team
Desirable
- Interest in participating and presenting audit research
- GCP training
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Good organisational and planning skills
- Good presentation skills
- Understanding of and ability to maintain patient confidentiality
- Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to gain co-operation in a wide range of ages, ability and understanding
Desirable
- IT skills – for information and communication including PowerPoint and Excel
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.
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).
Additional information
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).
