Orthoptist - Band 5

United Lincolnshire Hospital; Boston; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS trust in Lincolnshire is looking for an orthoptist to diagnose, manage, and treat patients across multiple clinics, including General and Special Needs Paediatrics. The successful candidate will develop and implement individualized treatment plans, communicate clinical information effectively, and work collaboratively within a team. This position offers an opportunity to contribute to a teaching hospital environment, with excellent training and development prospects.

Qualifications

• Must be able to diagnose and treat patients autonomously.
• Strong clinical reasoning skills required for planning treatments.
• Excellent communication necessary for patient and carer interactions.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose, manage, and treat patients across various clinics.
• Plan and implement individual orthoptic treatment plans.
• Communicate complex clinical information to patients and other professionals.

Skills

Clinical reasoning

Patient management

Communication

Training

Education

Relevant healthcare qualification

Job description

Please be advised that the start date for the successful candidate will be into the new financial year (April 2026 onwards). The exact timing will be confirmed at offer stage.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose, manage and treat patients referred to the Orthoptic Department across clinics including General Paediatrics, Special Needs Paediatrics, Ocular Motility Clinics.
• Act as an autonomous practitioner, professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of patient evaluation.
• Plan, implement and monitor individual orthoptic treatment plans for patients of all ages using advanced clinical reasoning and evidence‑based practice.
• Provide condition‑related information to patients/carers, ensuring clear understanding of the condition.
• Communicate complex clinical information clearly to patients/carers and other professionals.
• Contribute to efficient running of outpatient clinics and support shared‑care roles such as glaucoma, stroke and visual processing.
• Assess and diagnose new patients, formulate treatment programme with support from senior orthoptists.
• Maintain Standard of Competency to Practice at all times.
• Manage and review patients, record all investigations, treatments and plans in electronic notes.
• Discharge patients appropriately with relevant correspondence.
• Instruct patients (or carers) on continuous home treatment as appropriate.
• Handle telephone, face‑to‑face and email enquiries from patients, carers and others.
• Undertake in‑house training to carry out duties requiring special skills, supporting the Orthoptic and Ophthalmology Department, OCT, VFs, visual processing.
• Liaise with orthoptic staff, consultants, medical and nursing staff and others as required.
• Carry out other general duties to aid smooth running of the department.
• Adhere to Trust, Directorate and Departmental policies regarding Health and Safety, Fire, Risk assessment.
• Adhere to Departmental and Professional Quality Standards and Guidelines.

Background

Pilgrim Hospital, Boston is situated in beautiful countryside and serves the communities in the South Lincolnshire area. It provides specialty care and a 24‑hour major accident and emergency service.

United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust has been granted teaching hospital status, after demonstrating evidence to significant teaching commitment. From now on it will be known as United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS) and United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT) have come together in a Group arrangement, with the goal of improving the care provided to patients across the county. This will not constitute a formal merger but will bring the Trusts together under a single Board and Executive Leadership Team.

The Group will be known as Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals NHS Group (LCHG).

Contact

Name: Alison Leak
Job title: Head Orthoptist
Email address: [e-mail]
Telephone number: 01205 446474