Specialist Orthoptist

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County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust Specialist Orthoptist

The closing date is 25 November 2026

Apply for this job

Job summary

A post has become available for a Specialist Orthoptist at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust. This is a dynamic department with a strong focus on quality which is constantly striving to improve services for our patients and ensure that their experience is as good as possible. We are looking for a forward thinking and innovative Orthoptist to become part of our team

Main duties of the job

The candidate will hold their own general Orthoptic caseload and will perform both new and follow-up assessments . The post holder will work alongside our urgent care clinic seeing urgent Orthoptic case and also to provide secondary screening clinics. There will be opportunity to work in multi-disciplinary clinics with both our paediatric Ophthalmologist and Optometrists. The successful candidate may be required to work at any of our Trust sites and will therefore require excellent organisational skills. Our service has an active Orthoptic stroke service and there may be opportunity to gain experience in this area.

About us

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.

Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

Please note that we may close any vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications have been received.

Details

Date posted

04 November 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

C9439-2627-RP-N506-1

Job locations

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder will act as a source of expertise on the diagnosis and management of ocular motility disorder to patients, carers,G.P.s, Ophthalmology Medical staff and other health care professionals. They will be required to accurately diagnose and develop effective treatment plans for patients and ensure timely review.. They will appropriately discharge and make onward referral to other services within the Trust for both Ophthalmology and emotional support, involving external agencies such as the DVLA and local government sensory support services where necessary. The post holder will be required to educate and train other Health care professionals, undergraduate Orthoptic students, medical students, Optometry and work experience students. They will be required to participate actively in continuous professional development to benefit both themselves and the Orthoptic services

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder will act as a source of expertise on the diagnosis and management of ocular motility disorder to patients, carers,G.P.s, Ophthalmology Medical staff and other health care professionals. They will be required to accurately diagnose and develop effective treatment plans for patients and ensure timely review.. They will appropriately discharge and make onward referral to other services within the Trust for both Ophthalmology and emotional support, involving external agencies such as the DVLA and local government sensory support services where necessary. The post holder will be required to educate and train other Health care professionals, undergraduate Orthoptic students, medical students, Optometry and work experience students. They will be required to participate actively in continuous professional development to benefit both themselves and the Orthoptic services

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Experience in all aspects of clinical Orthoptics including specialist services ideally e.g. Paediatrics, Neurology, Community services, adjustable suture squint surgery

Desirable

• Experience of Goldmann visual field testing
• Experience of clinical teaching ideally including Orthoptic undergraduates

Statutory Registration

Essential

• HCPC registration
• Ongoing CPD

Special Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Good communication with patients and other professionals,
• Good planning and organisational skills
• Ability to organise own workload and clinics
• Manual dexterity in the use of Orthoptic equipment

Desirable

• Experienced with computer software
• Research skills

Special Requirements

Essential

• Up to date knowledge of clinical techniques and technology
• Ability to meet the travel requirements of the post

Qualifications

Essential

• Diploma/degree in Orthoptics

Desirable

• Clinical teachers qualification

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Experience in all aspects of clinical Orthoptics including specialist services ideally e.g. Paediatrics, Neurology, Community services, adjustable suture squint surgery

Desirable

• Experience of Goldmann visual field testing
• Experience of clinical teaching ideally including Orthoptic undergraduates

Statutory Registration

Essential

• HCPC registration
• Ongoing CPD

Special Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Good communication with patients and other professionals,
• Good planning and organisational skills
• Ability to organise own workload and clinics
• Manual dexterity in the use of Orthoptic equipment

Desirable

• Experienced with computer software
• Research skills

Special Requirements

Essential

• Up to date knowledge of clinical techniques and technology
• Ability to meet the travel requirements of the post

Qualifications

Essential

• Diploma/degree in Orthoptics

Desirable

• Clinical teachers qualification

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.

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.

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

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Head Orthoptist

Helen Downey

[email protected]

01325743135

Details

Date posted

04 November 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

C9439-2627-RP-N506-1

Job locations

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX

United Kingdom

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