Specialist Orthoptist

Transformationunitgm; Scarborough; On-site; GBP 38,000 - GBP 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider is seeking a Specialist Orthoptist to join their team at Scarborough Hospital. The successful candidate will deliver core orthoptic services, manage low vision assessments, and participate in multidisciplinary teamwork. The role promises professional development opportunities and work-life balance in a scenic location. Required qualifications include a relevant degree and HCPC registration. This position offers competitive salary and benefits, embracing an inclusive workplace culture.

Benefits

NHS Pension Scheme

27 days holiday rising to 33 days

Employee Assistance Programme

Learning and development opportunities

Discounts on various services

Qualifications

• Possess strong communication skills with patients.
• Ability to manage patient care autonomously.
• 2 years of experience in clinical orthoptics.

Responsibilities

• Provide core orthoptic services for patients.
• Conduct low vision assessments.
• Manage stocks and ordering of visual aids.

Skills

Good working relationships

Independent work

Wide knowledge of conditions

Competent slit lamp skills

Education

BSc/Bmedsci in Orthoptics or equivalent

Valid UK driving licence

Registration with Health and Care Professions Council

Job description

Employer York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Scarborough Hospital Town Scarborough Salary £38,682 - £46,580 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 17/02/2026 23:59

Specialist Orthoptist

Band 6

Please note that contact with applicants will usually be by email, and so please check all of your mail folders regularly (unfortunately some providers filter our messages into junk mail folders).

Our Values

• We are KIND
• We are OPEN
• We pursue EXCELLENCE

We are looking for applications from people who share our values to help make us a valued and trusted partner within our care system, that delivers safe effective care to our local population.

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated and compassionate Specialist Orthoptist to join our friendly and forward-thinking Orthoptic team at Scarborough Hospital, set on the beautiful North Yorkshire coast.

We are looking for an empathetic, well‑organised and easy‑going Orthoptist who values patient‑centred care and thrives as being part of a supportive multidisciplinary team. The successful candidate will deliver a full range of core orthoptic clinics, alongside developing a specialist interest in low vision assessment and leading the LVA service. You will play a key role in the day‑to‑day running and ongoing development of the Low Vision Service, ensuring high‑quality care for patients with complex visual needs.

Our department is proud to offer extended roles for orthoptists, providing excellent opportunities for professional development. These include involvement in glaucoma monitoring clinics, intravitreal injection services, and post‑operative cataract clinics, allowing you to work at the top of your scope and expand your clinical expertise.

This role offers the chance to make a real difference to patients’ lives while working in a welcoming department that values collaboration, learning and work‑life balance. With Scarborough’s stunning coastline and access to the Yorkshire countryside, this is an ideal opportunity for both professional growth and an exceptional quality of life.

Main duties of the job

To provide core orthoptic services for new and follow up patients and to provide support to specialist clinics such as URC, neuro‑ophthalmology and oculoplastics.

Provide low vision assessment in stand‑alone clinics and managing the stock and ordering of low visual aids (LVA's) for the department.

Instil cycloplegics under medicine exemptions qualification for refraction and new patient clinics.

Cross site working as required at locations including, Bridlington, Malton and Whitby hospitals. Car driver is essential.

Participate in the extended role of the Orthoptist when the need or opportunity arises.

York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is a large, supportive organisation committed to delivering high‑quality, patient‑focused care across its sites.

We offer a range of benefits to support our staff including:

• Access to the NHS Pension Scheme, providing generous benefits upon retirement, as well as a lump sum and pension for dependants
• 27 days holiday rising to 33 days (depending on NHS Trust service)
• A variety of different types of paid and unpaid leave covering emergency and planned leave
• Confidential advice and support on personal, work, family and relationship issues, 24/7, from our Employee Assistance Programme
• NHS Car Lease scheme and Cycle to Work scheme
• An extensive range of learning and development opportunities
• Discounts on restaurants, getaways, shopping, motoring, cinema and finance from a range of providers

For further information on the fantastic range of benefits we offer please visit the Trust's dedicated Staff Benefits pages.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

A full description of the role is available in the attachment: job description.

Please note that if a high number of applications are received this advert may close early. You are advised to submit your application at the earliest opportunity.

Working for the Trust

Across our organisation, people are guided by values that were co‑developed with staff: we are kind; we are open; and we pursue excellence.

Our values play into our ambition to develop a more diverse workforce, truly representative of our communities. We welcome applications from everyone, while working with our Staff Networks - including our Race Equality, LGBTQ+, Disability and Carers Networks - to increase the number of applications we receive from different backgrounds. If there is anything we can do to make our application process more accessible to you, please contact:[e-mail] .

As part of seeking to become more inclusive, we will consider requests for flexible working from the start of your employment. It may not be suitable for every role, but we will try and be supportive where we can. We would encourage you to speak to the recruiting manager named within this advert to discuss any requirements you may have.

Armed Forces Friendly Employer

We are holders of the Gold Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, which is helping actively promote SaBRE - Supporting Britain’s Reservists and Employers. This means that we have made a statement of intent to support all Defence personnel, including with applications for employment.

Person specification

Education & Qualifications

• To possess a BSc/Bmedsci in Orthoptics or equivalent
• Hold a valid UK driving licence and use of own vehicle
• Registration with Health and Care Professions Council
• Medicine Exemptions

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Ability to develop good working relationships with hospital staff at all levels
• Ability to work independently or as part of a multi‑disciplinary team
• To have a wide knowledge of conditions that are referred to the orthoptic service and the treatment plans that are required
• Competent slit lamp and examination skills including goldmann tonometry

Experience

• Experience in all aspects of clinical orthoptics
• Interest in developing the extended role of the Orthoptist
• 2 years' continuous NHS employment
• Manage patient care autonomouslyPrevious experience of providing low vision assessment
• Experience in orthoptist extended roles
• 2 years' continuous NHS employment at band 6

Personal attributes

• Commitment and enthusiasm to the quality of patient care and ongoing professional development.
• Work well under pressure
• Willing to learn new skills.
• Punctual with good time management
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with a broad range of patients including those with learning disabilities

Please note that some of our substantive vacancies may be available on a smaller number of hours than advertised. If you would be interested in applying on this basis, we would encourage you to contact the appointing manager to enquire further.

DBS Checks

Please be aware that all new employees starting work with us will be charged for the cost of their DBS check if it is required for the role. The cost will be deducted from your salary either in one payment or over a six month period once you start employment. By applying you are agreeing to this undertaking. If you are successful you will be asked to confirm if you wish to pay in one amount or in instalments. The charges are currently £27.38 for a standard check and £55.38 for an enhanced check. The level of check will be determined by the post you are applying for.

Please note that Volunteers and Bank only staff will not be charged.

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) offers a confidential checking service for transgender applicants in accordance with the Gender Recognition Act 2004. This is known as the sensitive applications route, and is available for all levels of DBS check - basic, standard and enhanced.

The sensitive applications route gives transgender applicants the choice not to have any gender or name information disclosed on their DBS certificate that could reveal their previous identity. To contact the sensitive applications team, please telephone [phone] or email [e-mail] .

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Please note, the selection processes at York & Scarborough Teaching Hospitals are in place to ensure we recruit candidates with the right skills and values. We remain vigilant against candidates who misuse these tools to generate an application that doesn’t accurately reflect their skills. You will be required to acknowledge that you are aware of this before submitting your application.

Agile and Flexible Working

We are committed to helping all staff balance their work with other commitments and have recently launched our new Agile and Flexible Working policy to support this, entitling all staff to request flexible working from day one – for all posts. We encourage you to speak to the recruiting manager named within this advert to discuss any requirements you may have.

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

All our employees have access to a free, confidential counselling and wellbeing support service. Our EAP is available 24/7, 365 days a year.

Relocation Package

The Trust offers a generous relocation package of up to 30% of salary (capped at £18k) to support with relocation expenses for hard to fill positions where relocation would be an expectation to undertake the role fully. If you would like to discuss relocation further, please speak to the recruiting manager at interview.

A bit more about us and the surrounding area

York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is situated in a fantastic part of the country that is home to two national parks, a beautiful coastline, and the city of York - consistently voted one of the best places to live in the UK. We provide a comprehensive range of acute hospital and specialist healthcare services for approximately 800,000 people living in and around York, North Yorkshire, North East Yorkshire and Ryedale - an area covering 3,400 square miles.

Our annual turnover is approaching £0.5bn. We manage eight hospital sites and have a workforce of around 10,000 staff working across our hospitals and in the community.

Sponsorship

Please note: Under current Home Office Immigration Rules we are unable to offer sponsorship for roles with a salary of less than £25,000 pa as they do not meet the UK Visas & Immigration criteria. Currently, this rules out sponsorship for Band 2, and some Band 3 roles. In addition to this, there are a number of other roles not eligible for sponsorship, therefore applicants requiring it may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa .

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.