University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Band 6 Specialist Orthoptist

The closing date is 25 November 2026

Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated Orthoptist to join our dynamic Orthoptic Team here at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.

The successful candidate will have a varied role working across Heartlands, Solihull and Good Hope Hospitals, as well as undertaking School Vision Screening in the local area.

We provide a full range of sub speciality clinics including Paediatric Ophthalmology, Paediatric Neuro Ophthalmology, Motility, Botulinum toxin, Stroke and Oculoplastics.

The appointed candidate will benefit from working alongside a multidisciplinary team which includes Ophthalmologists, Nurses, Optometrists, Technicians, Administrative staff and Health Care assistants.

We provide an Orthoptic led service with two Paediatric Strabismic Consultants.

This is a fixed term 12-month contract position.

Main duties of the job
As a Specialist Orthoptist you will be responsible for providing comprehensive, high-quality Orthoptic assessments and treatments to both adults & children. You will be working as an autonomous practitioner within a supportive team who can provide advice for more complex cases. You will need to formulate individualised treatment plans using clinical reasoning skills and utilising a range of treatments options to create a programme of care for patients.

You will have the ability to work alongside a multidisciplinary team when working within the subspeciality Consultant led clinics for Ocular Motility, General Paediatric Ophthalmology, Paediatric Neuro Ophthalmology & Oculoplastics clinics.

You will be able to assess patients on the ward including Stroke patients, to enhance rehabilitation and liaise with the Stroke Lead Orthoptist.

You will maintain accurate patient records in line with professional and Information Governance standards.

You will be expected to demonstrate continuing professional development in line with the Health and Care Professions Council. The Orthoptists are expected to attend bimonthly staff meetings and are encouraged to participate in service development and clinical audit within the department.

You should be able to prioritise your own work, balancing professional demands and administrative work during clinical and non-clinical time. You will need to demonstrate excellent communication skills with the ability to convey complex/sensitive clinical information clearly.

About us
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust strives to have an inclusive culture where everyone feels like they belong, can thrive, knows that they add value and feels valued. We do this by developing compassionate and culturally competent leaders, being values driven in all that we do and by creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace that thrives on the diversity of our people. As such we want to attract and recruit talented individuals from all backgrounds, and for each of you to feel supported for the diversity you bring, to achieve your full potential. For those staff with a disability, including physical disability, long term health condition, mental health or neurodiverse condition, this also means being committed to making reasonable adjustments needed for you to carry out your role.

Details
Date posted: 11 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number: 304-9019976
Job locations: Trustwide, Mindelsohn Way, Birmingham, West Midlands, B15 2TH, United Kingdom

Job description
Job responsibilities
*Please Note : For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached Job Description*

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Diploma of British Orthoptic Council or Degree in Orthoptics.
• Health Care Professions Council registration.

Desirable

• Clinical Education qualification (practice and theory of Orthoptics).

Experience
Essential

• Up to date proof of CPD in line with professional body recommendations.

Desirable

• Post graduate experience.
• Experience in clinical teaching.
• Experience in stroke assessment and detailed knowledge in neuro-ophthalmology.
• Experience with providing primary school orthoptic screening.
• Has intertest in acquiring advance understanding of ophthalmology and orthoptics in order to expand the orthoptic role.

Additional Criteria
Essential

• Ability to communicate with non-English speaking patients/parents.
• Fine Manual dexterity to enable instillation of eye drops, use of prism car etc.
• Counselling skills in emotional and distressing situations.
• Show discretion, diplomacy and compassion when dealing with staff and patients.
• Ability to communicate with patients of all ages and those with learning difficulties.
• Good understanding of the importance of evidence-based practice and the necessity of regular audits.
• Good communication skills
• Self-motivation
• Punctual
• Excellent time management
• Open to change
• Able to act diplomatically in hostile, antagonistic and emotive situations

Desirable

• Goldmann/Humphrey visual field testing
• Experience with OCT and fundus photography
• Experience with IOP assessment e.g. Icare
• Car Driver

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
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.

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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Trustwide, Mindelsohn Way, Birmingham, West Midlands, B15 2TH, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.uhb.nhs.uk/jobs.htm

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Hiring Manager, Joanna Innes, joanna.innes@uhb.nhs.uk, 01214244450

Supporting documents
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