NHS
Overview
Senior Orthoptist - Lead for Audit at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW). The closing date is 16 November 2025. The post is a full-time, fixed-term maternity cover for 1 year from December 2025. This is a Band 7 Lead Orthoptist role at the University Bristol and Weston Hospitals Trust. Flexible hours are offered as a 9 day fortnight. The successful applicant 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 as a tertiary referral centre for the South West in many ophthalmic sub-specialities. The post holder will work at both main hospitals and travel to community sites and assessment centres in and around Bristol. The workload includes 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 supports extended roles in skull base neuro-ophthalmology and paediatric primary care. There is an SEN speciality service with close links to the Vision Support Service and the Community Paediatricians. Main duties of the job
All advanced Orthoptic services Lead for audit; guiding, advising 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. 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. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer, we aim to recruit and retain a workforce that represents the diverse local population and are committed to designing services around the needs of individual patients. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we meet our pledge. 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
Skills and Abilities
To formulate individualised management and treatment plans using clinical reasoning that is evidence-based and requires a wide range of treatment options. Assess and interpret complex results of clinical investigations, form an accurate diagnosis informed by knowledge base and current research findings. Screen and prioritise referrals to the service, identifying those which are of sight- or life-threatening nature and arranging urgent assessment at an appropriate hospital site. Proficiency in all types of visual field testing, and ability to work with IT and hospital-based systems. Manual dexterity and observational skills for observing fine eye movement disorders and for highly accurate measuring skills for squint surgery and adjustable suture procedures. Apply a high level of understanding to rehabilitation requirements following loss of vision due to stroke or double vision, and advise on lifestyle changes and adaptations to patients’ social and physical environment. Knowledge and Experience
Autonomous practitioner capable of investigation, diagnosis and management of patients of all ages referred to the Orthoptic Department at Bristol Eye Hospital, including complex cases from paediatrics, motility, neurology, maxillofacial, glaucoma and A&E. Highly advanced (master’s level equivalent) knowledge and extensive experience in specialized clinics such as neuro/skull base, paediatric cataract, functional vision, special needs and stroke. Keep up to date with new techniques and developments and demonstrate CPD and experience equivalent to master’s level, including prism therapy and rehabilitative scanning therapies. Portfolio evidence of extended self-study equating to master’s level in highly specialized Orthoptics. Ability to critically appraise and reflect on own performance and participate in internal and external development and training opportunities with documented learning outcomes. Training in audit methodology with prior audit experience. BIOS Clinical Tutors course completed with experience in tutoring and developing the student placement offer and teaching material. Strong organisational and leadership skills to promote and deliver an effective Audit Programme to deadlines. Ability to balance clinical and managerial responsibilities. Highly effective communication skills both clinically and in management. Qualifications and Training
Degree or equivalent in Orthoptics Training or advanced qualification in NHS audit, R&D or Clinical Governance Master’s or equivalent by extensive experience in advanced clinical practice or a specialist area of Orthoptics with CPD evidence 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 CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW)
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Senior Orthoptist - Lead for Audit at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW). The closing date is 16 November 2025. The post is a full-time, fixed-term maternity cover for 1 year from December 2025. This is a Band 7 Lead Orthoptist role at the University Bristol and Weston Hospitals Trust. Flexible hours are offered as a 9 day fortnight. The successful applicant 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 as a tertiary referral centre for the South West in many ophthalmic sub-specialities. The post holder will work at both main hospitals and travel to community sites and assessment centres in and around Bristol. The workload includes 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 supports extended roles in skull base neuro-ophthalmology and paediatric primary care. There is an SEN speciality service with close links to the Vision Support Service and the Community Paediatricians. Main duties of the job
All advanced Orthoptic services Lead for audit; guiding, advising 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. 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. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer, we aim to recruit and retain a workforce that represents the diverse local population and are committed to designing services around the needs of individual patients. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we meet our pledge. 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
Skills and Abilities
To formulate individualised management and treatment plans using clinical reasoning that is evidence-based and requires a wide range of treatment options. Assess and interpret complex results of clinical investigations, form an accurate diagnosis informed by knowledge base and current research findings. Screen and prioritise referrals to the service, identifying those which are of sight- or life-threatening nature and arranging urgent assessment at an appropriate hospital site. Proficiency in all types of visual field testing, and ability to work with IT and hospital-based systems. Manual dexterity and observational skills for observing fine eye movement disorders and for highly accurate measuring skills for squint surgery and adjustable suture procedures. Apply a high level of understanding to rehabilitation requirements following loss of vision due to stroke or double vision, and advise on lifestyle changes and adaptations to patients’ social and physical environment. Knowledge and Experience
Autonomous practitioner capable of investigation, diagnosis and management of patients of all ages referred to the Orthoptic Department at Bristol Eye Hospital, including complex cases from paediatrics, motility, neurology, maxillofacial, glaucoma and A&E. Highly advanced (master’s level equivalent) knowledge and extensive experience in specialized clinics such as neuro/skull base, paediatric cataract, functional vision, special needs and stroke. Keep up to date with new techniques and developments and demonstrate CPD and experience equivalent to master’s level, including prism therapy and rehabilitative scanning therapies. Portfolio evidence of extended self-study equating to master’s level in highly specialized Orthoptics. Ability to critically appraise and reflect on own performance and participate in internal and external development and training opportunities with documented learning outcomes. Training in audit methodology with prior audit experience. BIOS Clinical Tutors course completed with experience in tutoring and developing the student placement offer and teaching material. Strong organisational and leadership skills to promote and deliver an effective Audit Programme to deadlines. Ability to balance clinical and managerial responsibilities. Highly effective communication skills both clinically and in management. Qualifications and Training
Degree or equivalent in Orthoptics Training or advanced qualification in NHS audit, R&D or Clinical Governance Master’s or equivalent by extensive experience in advanced clinical practice or a specialist area of Orthoptics with CPD evidence 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 CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW)
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