Job summary We are seeking a FULL TIME, PERMANENT, BAND 5 Orthoptist at the Bristol Eye Hospital. The successful applicant will join a highly motivated team of 15 Orthoptists and will gain invaluable experience in all aspects of Orthoptics. The post would be ideally suited to an Orthoptist who is looking to expand their knowledge and skills at a large teaching hospital and is an excellent opportunity for a newly qualified Orthoptists, however we welcome applications from any qualified Orthoptist looking to to work in a large department or moving into the area. We have a preceptorship and mentoring programme, protected CPD time, inter departmental teaching and actively encourage audit to improve our service. This is a tertiary referral, teaching and research hospital with strong links with the University of Bristol. The post holder will be based at the Eye Hospital which is situated in the heart of the city of Bristol. The workload at the Eye Hospital will include specialist paediatric and paediatric neuro ophthalmology clinics, motility and adnexal clinics, adult neuro ophthalmology, stroke and brain injury assessments and on site adjustable suture assessments. We also run Orthoptic Led neuro ophthalmology clinics and Stroke Clinics, and we have an SEN speciality service including weekly functional vision clinics led by one of our Paediatric Ophthalmologists so there is plenty of scope to learn and develop your skills. Main duties of the job To be an autonomous practitioner undertaking the investigation, diagnosis and management of patients referred to the Orthoptic Department at Bristol Eye Hospital. These include a wide range of complex cases from general and speciality clinics e.g. paediatric, motility, neurology, adnexal and A&E that are referred locally and from other centres in the South West of England. To make decisions on appropriate referral to the ophthalmologist for further investigations or surgery and to fast track them if clinically indicated. To partake in staff meetings, case discussion meetings and audit meetings To be a part of the Orthoptic team, to support and learn from your colleagues To keep up to date with current research and to undertake audit to help improve our service to patients. About us University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. UHBW has been rated by the CQC as 'Good' overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward-thinking multi-award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone's throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we're meeting our pledge. Date posted 05 February 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 5 Salary £29,970 to £36,483 a year per annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 387-S-6320-LH-A Job locations Bristol Eye Hospital Lower Maudlin Street Bristol BS1 2LX Job description Job responsibilities For a more detailed job description, main responsibilities, and Person Specification, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy Job description Job responsibilities For a more detailed job description, main responsibilities, and Person Specification, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy Person Specification Qualifications and Training Essential BSc Orthoptics or equivalent or awaiting final results Registration with HCPC Desirable A level A or B Another relevant Qualification Teaching certificate Aptitudes Essential Empathetic manner Demonstrates Trusts values Works well as part of a team Good communication skills Knowledge and Experience Desirable The post is suitable for a newly qualified Orthoptic graduate To have been part of a team To have taken an active part in audit and research Competence in the use of a variety of visual field analysers and to interpret the result Skills and Abilities Essential To have a broad and detailed knowledge of visual and ocular motility defects Excellent observational, analytical and reflective skills in order to interpret findings and recommend treatment or further investigation Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. These should be verbal and written Ability to communicate information that may be sensitive or hard to accept or understand in a sympathetic and empathetic manner To have an awareness of the impact that the information given may have a profound impact on patients and their families and have the ability to provide necessary support To be able to manage working under pressure To have ability to prioritise work load To be self-motivated to improve skills and knowledge to benefit the orthoptic service for patients To be flexible in approach and adaptable to new situations Person Specification Qualifications and Training Essential BSc Orthoptics or equivalent or awaiting final results Registration with HCPC Desirable A level A or B Another relevant Qualification Teaching certificate Aptitudes Essential Empathetic manner Demonstrates Trusts values Works well as part of a team Good communication skills Knowledge and Experience Desirable The post is suitable for a newly qualified Orthoptic graduate To have been part of a team To have taken an active part in audit and research Competence in the use of a variety of visual field analysers and to interpret the result Skills and Abilities Essential To have a broad and detailed knowledge of visual and ocular motility defects Excellent observational, analytical and reflective skills in order to interpret findings and recommend treatment or further investigation Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. These should be verbal and written Ability to communicate information that may be sensitive or hard to accept or understand in a sympathetic and empathetic manner To have an awareness of the impact that the information given may have a profound impact on patients and their families and have the ability to provide necessary support To be able to manage working under pressure To have ability to prioritise work load To be self-motivated to improve skills and knowledge to benefit the orthoptic service for patients To be flexible in approach and adaptable to new situations 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 (Opens in a new tab). 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 (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information 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 (Opens in a new tab). 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 (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) Address Bristol Eye Hospital Lower Maudlin Street Bristol BS1 2LX Employer's website https://www.uhbw.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)