Orthoptist | Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust
| Dyddiad hysbysebu: | 30 Ionawr 2026 |
|---|---|
| Cyflog: | Heb ei nodi |
| Gwybodaeth ychwanegol am y cyflog: | £35,763 - £43,466 Pa incl HCAS Outer pro rata |
| Oriau: | Llawn Amser |
| Dyddiad cau: | 01 Mawrth 2026 |
| Lleoliad: | Carshalton, SM5 1AA |
| Cwmni: | Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust |
| Math o swydd: | Parhaol |
| Cyfeirnod swydd: | 7703289/343-7703289-FM-SC |
Crynodeb
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a newly qualified Orthoptist to join our team of 8 Orthoptists and 6 Optometrists at Epsom & St Helier.
The successful candidate will work alongside a dedicated team of Ophthalmologists, Orthoptists, Optometrists, Nurses & Ophthalmic Technicians in a busy and supportive department. The post will involve working at both Epsom and St Helier Hospitals, and delivering vision screening in Merton with an interesting and varied caseload.
The Orthoptist is an autonomous practitioner and is a specialist in the assessment of visual function in all age groups, and the diagnosis and management of defects of binocular vision and all ocular motility disorders.
The post holder will:
· provide a full Orthoptic service and assess, diagnose, manage and treat patients referred to the Orthoptic department from a variety of sources.
· provide a full visual field service, reporting to the ophthalmic team and including fields for neurology, paediatric and adult oncology, general medicine and endocrinology.
· work as part of a flexible team providing clinics on a number of sites as required by the Head Orthoptist.
St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group cares for a population of four million people in South West London and North East Surrey. Our sites include St George’s Hospital, one of 11 major trauma centres in the UK and the largest healthcare provider and major teaching hospital in the area; St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children; and Epsom Hospital, home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC).
After years of collaboration, our two Trusts became a hospitals group in 2021. While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education, and training of our 17,000-strong workforce.
At gesh we are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements. Applicants are encouraged to discuss any flexibility they may need during the recruitment process.
KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Clinical
1. To act as an autonomous practitioner taking clinical responsibility for the effective diagnosis, treatment and management of own orthoptic caseload.
This group comprises babies, children and adults of all ages referred from a wide range of specialities including paediatrics, neurology, stroke rehabilitation, A/E, G.P.’s and H.V.’s. This group also includes pre and post operative patients.
2. The patient group frequently requires significant manual dexterity, speed and experience to ensure accurate results and measurements. There are often additional diagnoses of ADHD, severe developmental delay, mobility impairment, communication difficulties and behavioural challenges eg autism spectrum condition.
3. The post holder will work as an autonomous practitioner to make clinical decisions on treatment and management plans for their own patients. eg occlusion treatment in children which must be implemented with caution and carefully monitored in order to avoid irreversible complications. Clinical decisions can be discussed with senior colleagues where necessary.
4. The post holder will undertake visual field testing, performing both manual and automated perimetry. This patient group includes children and adults, referred from glaucoma clinics, general ophthalmology clinics, paediatric and adult oncology, neurology, general medicine and endocrinology.
5. To undertake primary community vision screening when required.
6. The post holder will undertake OCT and fundus photography when required.
7. The post holder will contribute in departmental meetings to the formation of departmental treatment plans and discharge guidelines.
Organisational
1. The post holder will take personal responsibility for accurate/informative record keeping of own patient caseload.
2. The post holder will maintain and utilise Department and Trust Information systems currently in use and will ensure the accuracy of patient information held within Patient Administration Systems.
3. The post holder will assist in ensuring the integration of hospital and community services.
4. The post holder will deal with enquiries that arise during the working day and liaise with the Head/Deputy Head Orthoptist where appropriate.
5. Other duties as required by the Head Orthoptist or deputy to ensure the day to day smooth running of the department, highlighting any problems with service delivery to the Head Orthoptist.
Professional
1. The post holder will be accountable for their own clinical practice.
2. The post holder will ensure accurate and efficient maintenance of patient clinical records and the recording of patient data in accordance with Trust and departmental policy.
3. The post holder will maintain continuous professional development by attending appropriate courses, by self-directed learning and reflective practices and by keeping an up to date knowledge of techniques and technology in line with the requirements of the HCPC.
4. The post holder will keep an up to date continuous professional development portfolio.
5. The post holder will maintain ongoing registration with the HCPC.
6. The post holder will practise according to the BIOS Competency Standards and Professional Practice Guidelines, the HCPC Standards of Proficiency, and Trust and Departmental policies and protocols, including Health and Safety regulations.
7. The post holder will attend and take a full part in Departmental and Trust wide Ophthalmology audits including researching and presenting own topics on a regular basis when required.
8. The post holder will participate in the Trusts annual appraisal process.
9. The post holder will respect patient and staff confidentiality at all times.
Teaching
The postholder will assist with the teaching of Orthoptics to other professions including doctors, Medical students, optometrists, nurses and health visitors.
Communication
1. The post holder will be expected to communicate effectively and sympathetically with patients of all ages and abilities and their parents and carers. This can involve imparting sensitive and complex information about their eye condition, using explanation, persuasion and motivation as necessary and ensuring informed consent for treatment. This requires special skills where there are barriers to understanding such as deafness, learning difficulties, cognitive impairment, language or cultural barriers (including where English is not the first language).
2. The post holder will provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction to patients, carers and relatives.
3. The post holder will communicate effectively with other staff members of all disciplines within the hospital eye department and community clinics, including fellow orthoptists, ophthalmologists, nurses, optometrists and other professional groups.
4. The post holder will deal appropriately with complex and/or sensitive information and ensure by liaison with peers and other professional groups the proper ongoing care plan for the patient and/or carers concerned.
This advert closes on Friday 13 Feb 2026