Specialist Orthoptist | Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
| Posting date: | 12 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | £38,682 - £46,580 Per annum |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 11 February 2026 |
| Location: | Milton Keynes, MK6 5LD |
| Company: | Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 7729934/430-SURG25-242A |
Summary
Specialist Orthoptist
Department: Orthoptics
Band: 6Pro rata if part-time
Hours: 37.5 per week. All MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic orthoptist to join our friendly and supportive team of 6 orthoptists as part of a wider multidisciplinary eye clinic.The MKUH ophthalmology department is in a new Community Diagnostic Centre 5 minutes away from the main hospital site within the city centre. It comprises of orthoptic rooms, consulting rooms, optometry rooms, treatment rooms and a theatre.
Orthoptists with relevant previous clinical experience will be recruited to band 6, with the opportunity to undertake and develop skills in extended roles (depending on departmental requirements). These specialist areas may include SEN clinics, biometry, intravitreal injections, paediatric ECLO and stroke ward work.
New graduate orthoptists are also welcome to apply and will be appointed at band 5 level and work through a clinical skills toolkit to help their career development. The department has supported and mentored new graduates who benefit from our preceptorship scheme which has enabled them to develop to a band 6 role. We have a recognised BIOS mentor and are actively involved in both CPD and clinical audit.
Informal enquiries are welcome.
Please contact: Maneeta Morarji Head Orthoptist on 01908 995526 option 5 or e-mail maneeta.morarji@mkuh.nhs.uk
Interview date: 23/02/2026 PM
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• To provide orthoptic services as an autonomous practitioner, working within professional guidelines and policies, to provide a comprehensive and competent orthoptic service to both paediatric and adult patients within the hospital and other locations as required.
• To provide assessment, diagnosis, management and treatment of patients presenting with a wide range of ophthalmic and ocular motility disorders.
• Undertake one or more specialised orthoptic clinic roles such as stroke, orthoptic screening, intravitreal injections, ECLO, biometry clinics and assessment of children with additional needs (special educational needs / visual impairment / specific learning difficulties).
• To independently assess and manage complex neurological patients, referring on to the consultant ophthalmologist as required.
• Participate in departmental education programme, including the training of orthoptic undergraduate students, pre-registration optometrists, junior doctors, health visitors, school nurses and others.
• To act as a source of expertise on the management of ocular motility disorders to patients, other healthcare professionals, GPs and consultants.
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a “Good” rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.
As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.
We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.
Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards – a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards – and the recently approved Women and Children’s Centre, set to open by 2030.
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Clinical responsibilities
• Work autonomously, within professional boundaries, taking sole responsibility for the orthoptic assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients referred from ophthalmology including booked urgent service, vision screening, paediatrics, stroke, and maxillofacial services. This will include babies, children and adults with varied complexity of medical conditions and neurological disorders.
• Assess and diagnose paediatric and adult new and follow up patients. Develop and manage a specialised programme of care appropriate to the needs of the individual patient. This involves using clinical reasoning and a wide range of treatment skills, communicating effectively with patients and parents / carers. Assess understanding and gaining informed consent to the recommended treatment plan. Adhere to any national and local guidelines.
• Having a significantly high level of anatomical and neurological knowledge to enable diagnosis of acute onset ocular motility defects, includingadults with varied complex medical conditions and neurological disorders anddecide on the appropriate onward referral pathway.
SPECIALIST CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Duties include one or more of the following (depending on specific departmental requirements and training):
• Carry out A-scan biometry and contact / immersion measurements using specialised equipment. Perform IOP and keratometry measurements and instil eye drops as required. Liaise with the ophthalmologist regarding accurate power selection of intra-ocular lens implant. Take personal responsibility for correct machine calibration and follow guidelines to minimise possible infection risks.
• To assist the surgeon with specialised A-scan immersion biometry as part of the MDT team in theatre for patients under GA. This requires taking accurate measurements to assist the surgeon with complex patients with high-risk co-morbidities during cataract surgery.
NON-CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES
• Work as an effective member of the orthoptic team, liaising with the Deputy Head Orthoptist regarding clinic management and staff deployment.
• Triage referrals into the Orthoptic department according to departmental policy. Log referral details onto orthoptic database.
Communication
• To have excellent and highly developed communication skills with all staff, patients, and parents / carers of patients.
• Utilise and demonstrate sensitive communication styles, to ensure patients are fully informed prior to consent for treatment.
• To communicate the actual or potential diagnosis which may be of a distressing nature requiring sensitive, careful explanation of highly complex information, either to parents or carers of a child, or to an adult patient.
Personal Development
• Recognise and work within own competence and professional code of conduct as regulated by the HCPC.
• Understand own role and scope and identify how this may develop over time.
• Prioritise own workload and ensure effective time-management strategies are embedded within work.
Delivering a quality service
• Deliver care according to NSF, CQC, NICE guidelines and evidence-based care.
• Produce accurate, contemporaneous and complete records of patient consultation, consistent with legislation, policies and procedures.
• Take an active role in development of local policies and guidelines for the orthoptic services.
Team working
• Actively promote the workplace as a learning environment, encouraging everyone to learn from each other and from external good practice.
• Support and encourage colleagues with development and training. Be able to challenge any complacency or actions that are not in the interest of the public and/or users of services.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
This advert closes on Sunday 1 Feb 2026