An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Lead Orthoptist at Mid and South Essex NHS Trust. You will be based at Broomfield Hospital but employed MSE wide. The successful candidate will work alongside a dedicated team of Ophthalmologists, Orthoptists, Optometrists & Nurses in a busy but supportive department, undertaking clinics in orthoptics in addition to managing a team of 4 Orthoptists and 5 Technicians
We require an enthusiastic and motivated Orthoptist to join our team as a permanent member of staff, working 37.5 hours per week over 4 or 5 days.
Are you excited by this?
This position is an excellent opportunity for a Specialist or Highly Specialist Orthoptist looking to upskill in a forward thinking and progressive department. The candidate must have a current Orthoptic Degree or Diploma Qualification, and be registered with the HCPC.
The post will mainly be around the Mid Essex department in Chelmsford where there are eight Consultants, one of which has a specialist interest in paediatrics, strabismus and neuro ophthalmology.
If you think you have the skills and enthusiasm for this role, then we want to hear from you.
The job involves Orthoptic assessment and diagnosis of patients covering a wide age range and a variety of clinical conditions. You will need to plan, implement and monitor individual treatment plans from an orthoptic, optical and advise on surgical recommendations, using evidence-based practice and advanced clinical reasoning.
In addition to core orthoptic clinics, the department also supports specialist paediatric, refraction, ocular motility and neuro-ophthalmology clinics. The post holder will also be required to undertake administrative duties consistent with the day to day functioning of an orthoptic clinic.
You will be expected to deputise for the Head of Orthoptics as required
As a recognised Orthoptic undergraduate placement we also participate in clinical teaching of Orthoptic students on placement, as well as to medical students, ophthalmic nurses, optometrists and other health professionals visiting the Orthoptic department.
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is now one of the largest in the country, with a workforce of approximately 15,000 who serve a population of 1.2 million people.
We work together, and in conjunction with MSE Health and Care Partnership, to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients in a compassionate way, and provide a respectful, but vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.
From facilities through to consultant specialists we want to be the best, to achieve this we need to recruit not just those who are the finest in their field but also those who have the potential to be. Yes, experience is important but so is outlook – if you are dynamic, forward-thinking and enthusiastic we want you to join us.
We not only offer you a good working environment with flexible working opportunities, but also the opportunity to develop your career with access to appropriate training for your job and the support to succeed and progress.
We work closely with other members of our department carrying out joint clinics with both Optometrists and Ophthalmologists.
You will be required to participate in Eye casualty emergency clinics with patients referred from the Stroke unit, A&E and local external providers.
As a result, you must have good communication skills as you will work within a multi-disciplinary team of Orthoptists, Optometrists, Medical staff and nurses, and other non medical staff.
You will need to be able to communicate effectively with all age ranges from birth to end of life and be able to remain professional, providing clear explanations, as well as empathic and understanding as there is often a high level of anxiety when patients are attending hospital appointments.
For further details regarding the role responsibilities and the entry requirements, please see the combined job description and person specification.
We look forward to your application.
This advert closes on Friday 14 Mar 2025