Job Description

We are looking to recruit a Band 7 Lead Orthoptist at the University Bristol and Weston Hospitals Trust. The post is full time, fixed term to cover maternity leave for 1 year from December 2025



This presents a great opportunity for you to come to come and get some Band 7 experience for one year in a large teaching hospital and to expand your knowledge and skills. The vacant post is our lead for audit and research, so any research experience will be an advantage. Flexible hours offered as a 9 day fortnight.



The successful applicant will be an experienced Orthoptist at Band 6 or 7 who will join a highly motivated team of 15 Orthoptists at Bristol Eye Hospital, a teaching and research hospital with strong links to the University of Bristol and is a tertiary referral centre for the South West in many ophthalmic sub specialities.



The post holder will work at both main hospitals and will also travel to community sites and assessment centres in and around Bristol. The workload at the Eye Hospital and Weston General 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. The department is also actively supports extended roles in the skull base neuro-ophthalmology and Paediatric primary care We have an SEN speciality service with close links to the Vision Support Service and the Community Paediatricians.



Band 7 Orthoptist-Full time, Fixed Term maternity leave cover at United Hospitals Bristol and Weston Hospitals Trust.



All advanced Orthoptic services



Lead for audit; giving guidance and advise and leading the departmental audit programme.



All necessary activities to ensure safeguarding of children and adults in your care



Presenting at Grand Rounds, Paediatric teaching sessions and case discussion meetings



All necessary admin and planning associated with peripheral clinics



Following Trust Paediatric DNA policy and procedures



Actively participating in departmental development and smooth running



Maintaining own CPD in line with HCPC standards



Being a part of the team here at UHBW



A degree or Diploma in Orthoptics and registration with the HCPC are essential requirements



We are a recognised Orthoptic student placement centre and you would ideally have your clinical tutors qualification and teaching experience with Orthoptic, Medical or Optometry staff. We actively encourage audit, research and further education to improve our service and have protected CPD time.



For informal enquiries please contact Helen McCarthy or Julie Parker at Bristol Eye Hospital Orthoptic Department.



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.



For a more detailed job description, main responsibilities, and Person Specification, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.