Job summaryHertfordshire Community NHS Trust (HCT) is a dynamic and forward-thinking organisation. Our Trust is one of a new generation of community health service Trusts in the NHS. We are responsible for delivering a wide range of community health services across Hertfordshire. Our services are well established and we have built up a proud reputation for quality and excellence thanks to the hard work and dedication of our staff. Our vision is to become a leading light in the provision of innovative programmes of care which maintain and improve the health and wellbeing of the people of Hertfordshire and other areas served by the Trust.
To see all patients attending the children's eye service, assessing diagnosing and treating them orthoptically
To undergo administrative duties like writing clinical letters or referrals and triaging referrals and responding to user requests/queries from tasks
Proposed interview date: 4th August 2026Main duties of the jobOperational Delivery- To perform investigations and treatment as an autonomous practitioner, incorporating highly specialist skills
- To ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment plans for patients of all age groups and mental and physical abilities
- To monitor clinical progress and to use advanced reasoning skills to interpret data and alter treatment as appropriate
- To consider clinical and non-clinical risk management as part of day-to-day work and to complete Radar reports as appropriate
- To assimilate and analyse highly complex patient information from a variety of sources.
- To attend meetings as directed and necessary
- To work closely with the administrative service at designated sites to ensure a smooth and effective delivery of service
- To be responsible for organising a clinical caseload based on clinical priorities/referral criteria, standards, protocols and clinical evidence
- To perform investigations and treatment autonomously, using clinical reasoning, and utilising a wide range of treatment skills and options to formulate a programme of care
Patient / Customer Care- To carry out highly specialised visual and ocular assessments on Orthoptic patients of all ages, referred to the service from internal and external sources, to diagnose and treat accordingly as an autonomous practitioner
- To use advanced specialist knowledge to assess and diagnose complex cases and provide advice on relevant treatment programmes.
About usA big thank you for considering joining us at Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust
You'll find it a great place to work with many benefits offered to you as a member of our staff
We put our patients, their families and carers at the centre of our vision - Outstanding Services and Healthier Communities
Our staff are proud to be Innovative, Caring and Agile in their work to help achieve the Trust vision
We welcome diversity in our workforce and are interested in applicants from all backgrounds and ages
We don't want you to miss out so we'd like you to know that if we have a high level of interest in this role, the vacancy may close prior to the advertised closing date, so please make your application as soon as possible - Apply now
You've made a great decision to apply to join to HCT - we're looking forward to taking the next steps of the journey with you.
You can apply to Access to Work to get money for communication support at a job interview - please use this link for more information: Apply through our website You need to apply before the interview takes place.
DetailsDate posted: 13 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum pro rata
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 3 months
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 812-26-CS-SO-B
Job locations: Marlowes health and wellbeing centre
39-41 Marlowes
Hemel Hempstead
HP1 1LF
United Kingdom
Job responsibilitiesOperational Delivery- To perform investigations and treatment as an autonomous practitioner, incorporating highly specialist skills
- To ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment plans for patients of all age groups and mental and physical abilities
- To monitor clinical progress and to use advanced reasoning skills to interpret data and alter treatment as appropriate
- To consider clinical and non-clinical risk management as part of day-to-day work and to complete Radar reports as appropriate
- To assimilate and analyse highly complex patient information from a variety of sources.
- To attend meetings as directed and necessary
- To work closely with the administrative service at designated sites to ensure a smooth and effective delivery of service
- To be responsible for organising a clinical caseload based on clinical priorities/referral criteria, standards, protocols and clinical evidence
- To participate in and manage the running of Orthoptic clinics as appropriate, liaising with medical, optometric, technical, nursing and administrative staff both within the Trust and with external partners
- To maintain stocks of education materials, resources and literature required for patient care
- To ensure all clinical equipment is clean and working safely and efficiently
- To ensure disinfection of all equipment and workstations following assessment of infectious patients
- To perform investigations and treatment autonomously, using clinical reasoning, and utilising a wide range of treatment skills and options to formulate a programme of care
- To be legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of professional practice, adhering to guidelines set out in the Health Professions Council
- To comply with the organisational and departmental policies and procedures.
Patient / Customer Care- To carry out highly specialised visual and ocular assessments on Orthoptic patients of all ages, referred to the service from internal and external sources, to diagnose and treat accordingly as an autonomous practitioner
- To use advanced specialist knowledge to assess and diagnose complex cases and provide advice on relevant treatment programmes
- To assess adult and paediatric strabismus patients pre and post operatively
- To participate in a variety of ophthalmology clinics as required, including assessment of orthoptic and general ophthalmology patients
- To undertake any other clinical duties as may reasonably be required and which are consummate with the skills and competencies of the post
- To use auto-refraction in the diagnosis and management decisions for patients
Service Development and Improvement- To adhere to all recognised protocols within the service
- To participate in the development and implementation of service standards, guidelines and policies.
Management and LeadershipTo attend and participate in departmental audit and staff meetings, professional clinical meetings, in-service training and other courses and conferences in order to maintain CPD and to improve and enhance personal knowledge and skills.
To attend corporate and local induction and mandatory training in line with Trust policy.
To participate in appraisal, performance and management processes and design a personal development plan in line with service and Trust strategy.
To assist in the induction of new staff members.
Communication and Relationship Building- To communicate clearly and efficiently with patients, parents, carers, health professionals, school staff and specialist support staff to ensure full understanding of clinical investigations and treatment
- To acknowledge possible communication barriers such as language barriers, cultural and medical conditions, dementia, learning difficulties and literacy problems and to tailor advice and supporting information to the patient / client needs
- To offer continued support and counselling to patients and/or carers at all stages of their diagnosis and treatment
- To assess capacity, gain valid informed consent and have the ability to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment
- To plan and undertake teaching sessions for all clinical staff, as required
- To maintain lines of communication within the Orthoptic Team and within the wider multi-disciplinary setting
Information Management- To maintain an accurate and timely record of clinical statistics relevant to the service and ensure that all data is recorded to reflect true activity levels
- To undertake any required administrative duties required of the post holder
- To ensure that local reporting and record keeping follows Trust and service protocols and standards.
- To be competent in the use of information technology and have required IT skill
- To liaise with external hospitals, GPs, other agencies in order to request up to date reports and notes for new patients as necessary
General- To undertake and present clinical audit using research methodology and the evaluation of evidence based practice
- To critically appraise and review current literature on relevant topics
- To participate in Reflective Supervision Groups
- To actively participate in any research being undertaken within the service and nationally
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of research relating to all aspects of Orthoptics, Ophthalmic and Optometric care
- To undertake professional and educational activities to develop knowledge and ensure maintenance of professional / clinical standards. These could include reflective practice, external courses, internet based research, membership to professional groups and clinical update sessions.
The use of AI is monitored and if you have used it then you are required to declare this, as well as what type of AI tools you have used and for what purpose. We reserve the right to further test your individual knowledge and skills in relation to the requirements for the post through robust and thorough interview and assessment.Person SpecificationQualificationsEssential- A diploma/ degree in Orthoptics or relevant clinical experience
- Current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
ExperienceEssential- Postgraduate experience
- Experience conducting comprehensive assessments to formulate individualized management and treatment plans
- Experience implementing and monitoring treatment programs, which may include vision therapy and rehabilitation for patients with ocular motility defects and other visual disorders
SkillsEssential- Excellent communication skills are crucial for effectively interacting with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals
- Experience in teaching and supervising junior staff and students
- Ability to lead specialized clinics, such as those for paediatric patients or those with neurological conditions affecting vision. This includes conducting special school screenings and assessments in community settings.
- Evidence of continuous professional development and a desire to keep up with the latest advancements in the field through training and education
Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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 SponsorshipApplications 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).
