Specialist Orthoptist
At a glance
- Band
- Band 6
- Contract
- Fixed-term
- Pattern
- Full-time
- Posted
- 10/09/2026
- Closes
- 20/09/2026
Sponsorship verdict
Sponsorship is not clearly stated in this advert.
The advert didn't contain a clear role-specific sponsorship line, so HiveMind can't confirm eligibility. Verify with the recruiting manager or trust HR before you apply.
Role summary
This role is for a Specialist Orthoptist to join a friendly and dynamic team at East Suffolk and North Essex Foundation Trust, primarily based at Colchester hospital with some cross-site working in Ipswich. The post involves delivering high-quality orthoptic services, managing a varied caseload including adult and paediatric patients, and participating in specialist clinics. The department supports continuous professional development and is active in audit and research. This is a fixed-term position for one year, suitable for an experienced Orthoptist, though newly qualified staff may be considered at Band 5 with progression potential.
Key responsibilities
- Conduct single-handed Orthoptic assessments and work as part of a team in specialist multi-disciplinary paediatric clinics.
- Provide appropriate Orthoptic assessment and diagnosis for all referred patients (in-patients or out-patients).
- Formulate and implement individualised treatment plans for paediatric and adult cases, including amblyopia therapy, refractive treatments, orthoptic exercises, prismatic therapy, and planning strabismus surgery.
Essential criteria
- Post qualification experience of working single-handed and as part of the multi-disciplinary team.
- Successful completion of post graduate preceptorship
- Experience of managing a complex and varied caseload including patients of all ages and abilities
- Visual field experience
- Experience of participation in audit and research
- Degree / Diploma in Orthoptics
- Registration with HCPC
- Further accredited qualifications and courses related to orthoptic and/or ophthalmic practice or working towards
- Evidence of ongoing CPD
- Maintain up to date knowledge of developments in orthoptics and deliver evidence based care
- Basic understanding of hospital electronic patient record system Epic with willingness to learn
- Competent IT skills including Microsoft applications
Desirable criteria
- Experience of clinical teaching to a range of professionals
- Ability to carry out complex visual field testing including Goldmans
- Experience of assessing in-patient stroke patients
- Vision screening experience
- Experience of assessing patients who have had surgery using adjustable sutures
- Experience of assisting in theatre
- BIOS membership
- BIOS Clinical Tutors course
- Medicines exemptions for Orthoptists
- Experience of using Epic or a similar system
- Experience of using the departmental imaging and visual fields software
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 6 at £37,338 – £44,962 a year, across England.
This advert: £39,959 – £48,117 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 1d ago · Closes in 10d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Specialist Orthoptist
The closing date is 20 September 2026
Job summary
East Suffolk and North Essex Foundation Trust are recruiting an Orthoptist to join our friendly and dynamic team who deliver orthoptic services in and around Colchester and Ipswich on a fixed term basis. This role is predominantly based at Colchester hospital and outreach clinics within north Essex, though with cross site working in Ipswich as required . You will be supported by the team to deliver high quality orthoptic services and will include a varied orthoptic caseload.
The department delivers adult and paediatric services, in-patient and out-patient stroke services, specialist SEN clinics in special schools and is an accredited department for student placements.
As an AHP at ESNEFT you will join a network of supportive and forward thinking AHPs across the trust who will support you in your role and who champion the work and development of the AHP community.
The department is committed to providing opportunities for continuous professional development and is active in audit and research.
This role is Band 6 and so is most suited to an orthoptist with post qualification experience. However, we also welcome applications from newly qualified staff who would commence in post at Band 5 with the potential to progress to Band 6 following successfu
Join the community to read the full pack, responsibilities and person-specification in one place.
Your seat is reserved — activate it
CareerHive is included with your CareerHive Skool community membership. If you haven't claimed your account yet, join the community (or sign in with the same email you joined with) to unlock the full advert, the apply link, HiveMind AI interview & application suite, your private vault, and daily sponsorship alerts.