Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Orthoptist with significant post-registration experience to join the team on a fixed-term basis to provide Maternity cover leading Audit and Governance for the department. The post is based at Cheltenham General and Gloucester Royal Hospitals and will include single-handed community clinics across the county.

The successful candidate will be an integral member of our friendly and progressive department consisting of 11 Orthoptists. An ability to work well in a multi-disciplinary team and a flexible approach is essential.

The successful candidate will be responsible for leading on clinical governance and audit for the service and will work in a range of sub-specialist clinics including ocular motility and stroke and will provide intravitreal injections within the Medical Retina service.

The orthoptic service provides a diverse clinical caseload including secondary vision screening clinics, a large stroke service and supports a busy Eye Casualty department.

Main duties of the job
The successfully appointed candidate will deliver a wide range of core orthoptic clinics across two acute units; Gloucester Royal and Cheltenham General Hospitals. There will be an opportunity to work within complex ocular motility, paediatric and neuro-visual field clinics and the post-holder will be the clinical lead for Audit and Governance within the department, reporting to the Professional Lead. The team participate in extended role clinics involving stroke, special educational needs and adnexa and Orthoptists carry out intravitreal injections for the Medical Retina service.

About us
The trust employs 15 Consultants including one Consultant specialising in paediatric ophthalmology and adult ocular motility.

The successful candidate will work within a friendly, progressive and supportive department and will work closely alongside optometry, nursing, clerical and medical colleagues. The Ophthalmology unit within Gloucestershire Hospitals is recognised nationally as being at the forefront of Ophthalmology within the UK. The unit is also highly regarded for clinical training and research.

Details
Date posted: 16 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year (pro rata if part time)
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 9 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 318-26-T0673
Job locations: Cheltenham General Hospital, Sandford Road, Cheltenham, GL53 7AN, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

• To provide leadership in a sub-specialist area of the Orthoptic service under the direction of the Professional Lead for Orthoptics, and to provide professional leadership and mentorship for other staff members working within the sub-specialty area.
• To provide input in to the cross-section of the full range of orthoptic services across the county.
• To use own initiative in decision making when Professional Lead for Orthoptics is unavailable and to deputise at meetings.
• Carry out intravitreal injections in a Consultant-led clinic on a pre-determined group of patients following a competency-based programme of training.
• Give support to junior members of the Orthoptic team and provide advice and support regarding the diagnosis and management of Orthoptic patients.
• To support the work of the Optometry Technicians, offering clinical advice, when appropriate.
• Give support to the Optometry Technicians when testing challenging patients and patients with communication difficulties.
• To prioritise referral letters coming from GPs, Health Visitors, School Nurses, Stroke Physicians and other health professionals referring patients for an Orthoptic opinion.
• To undertake correspondence with GPs and other colleagues.
• To deal with queries regarding appointments, internal referrals etc, that arise during the working day and to liaise with the senior Orthoptists to take the appropriate action and to organise Orthoptic appointments when requested.
• To check clinical area is safe for patients and staff and report any hazards to the manager in a timely manner.
• To be familiar with the Trusts Patient Administration System, to check clinic bookings are appropriate to the Orthoptic schedule.
• To work as part of a multi-disciplinary team of Ophthalmologists, Orthoptists, Optometrists, medical photographers, nurses, clerical staff and secretarial staff.
• To plan and prioritise own workload.
• To participate in regular Orthoptic departmental meetings giving feedback from courses and conferences attended.
• To undertake a lead role in departmental audit and research.
• To cover, as appropriate, for colleagues during periods of sick and annual leave.
• To report damage or functioning problems to the manager in a timely fashion.

Person Specification
Essential

• HCPC registration
• Extensive post-graduation experience
• Clinical Tutors qualification
• BSc or BMedSci (Hons) Orthoptics degree
• Experience working with EPR/Medisight and spreadsheets/Microsoft Excel
• Good presentation skills and experience with Microsoft Powerpoint for teaching
• High level of literacy
• To be able to adapt and work flexibly to suit the needs of the service
• To communicate effectively with patients, relatives and staff calmly in difficult situation
• Experience working single handily and using own initiative

Desirable

• Member of British and Irish Orthoptic Society
• Management and leadership experience within the NHS

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.

Employer details
Employer name: Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Cheltenham General Hospital, Sandford Road, Cheltenham, GL53 7AN, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk/

For questions about the job, contact:
Professional Lead for Orthoptics, Estelle Edwards, estelle.edwards@nhs.net, 03004228144

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice.