NHS Royal Devon | Orthoptists

Orthoptists

Explore this role:

Working with us
Career routes
What does a career pathway look like?
Training
Next steps
Preceptorship
Experienced Orthoptists
Case study
What can I expect to get paid?
Video

Orthoptists are the experts in diagnosing and treating problems with eye movement, visual development, and how the eyes work together called binocular vision. We
see patients of all ages from young children who may have a squint, cataract, or any other condition impacting their visual development.

Orthoptists will also see adults who develop problems with eye movements, double vision, or visual field loss due to stroke, head injuries, or other neurological conditions.

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What is it like to work at the Royal Devon?

What can you expect from joining us? You can expect to be part of a team that is at the forefront of innovation and development, in both our services and our people. You can expect to be invested in, supported, and given the tools you need to succeed in your role and progress in your career.

Training and development opportunities are in high supply here, whether you are interested in clinical or leadership development, courses, secondments or placements. We’ll support you in finding the best way to grow.

The culture we have built has earned us a reputation within the Trust and our clear vision and plans instilled the belief and support required to access further financial investment. This allows us to improve patient pathways including early supported discharge in rehabilitation.

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Becoming an Orthoptist at the Royal Devon

How do I train to become an Orthoptist?

The first step to becoming an Orthoptist is to take a degree-level programme approved by the HCPC. This may be full-time or part-time if you are working in a relevant role. Once you have qualified, you will need to register with the HCPC, then you can start a Band 5 role.

Training and development

Other routes into Therapies

Another potential career route will see you grow from a Healthcare Support Worker, gaining relevant qualifications and experience along the way. We will support you on your journey, providing opportunities to achieve qualifications as you progress along your ideal career route.

Support Worker Assistant Practitioner

Newly qualified Orthoptists

To become a Registered Orthoptist, you will need a relevant degree. This can be achieved via an apprenticeship when working as an Assistant Practitioner. Once qualified, you will need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council.

What does a career pathway look like?

There are so many ways to achieve a fulfilling and rewarding career as a Speech and Language Therapist. You may be starting afresh and looking for a brand new role, or perhaps you have dedicated a few years to other goals and are looking to return to practice. If you are interested in developing your role, we have a wealth of opportunities you can harness too.

To help you on your way, we produced a brochure to kick start your career with us.

Download our brochure

Your bespoke learning journey

You’ll be supported to create your own personal development plan. This is used to identify your individual training needs, which can be met from the wide range of learning opportunities available such as clinical skills, management development, coaching and mentoring, IT skills and much more.

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Advancing your career

Registered Orthoptists

Joining the team at the Royal Devon presents a whole host of opportunities, including the chance to work in different settings with a rotational work pattern. It’s a brilliant way to glean exposure and experience. You’ll be making a difference every day, transforming the way our patients carry out day-to-day activities, improving their mobility and regaining their independence after illness, injury or trauma.

Funding is available for continued professional development, so take your pick of the acute and community pathways that open up as you strive to progress.

Training and development

Advanced Clinical Practitioners

Advanced Clinical Practitioners or Consultants (band 8s) are educated to Master’s level and have developed the skills and knowledge to allow them to take on expanded roles and scope of practice caring for patients. These roles will see you take on increased responsibility in your job roles as well as delivering expert clinical practice, professional leadership, education, training, research and evaluation.

You’ll need to complete a Master’s Degree Level 7 qualification in your chosen subject. You’ll receive lots of guidance and support whilst you do so. There is now a level seven (master’s level) apprenticeship in advanced clinical practice available, which can be funded through the apprenticeship levy. You can learn more about this on the Health Education England website.

Advanced and enhanced practice Advanced Practice toolkit

Preceptorship programme

Whether you are newly qualified, joining us from outside the UK, or returning to practice, our Preceptorship Programme will help you find your feet so you feel as confident and competent as possible.

The structured programme consists of a series of study days, after which you will apply theory to practice and hone the skills you have learned as you gain experience within your clinical area. These study days are spread over the course of a year.

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Experienced Orthoptists

Welcome back

The Royal Devon can offer you fully-funded Return to Practice routes back as an Orthoptist. We’ll give you dedicated time to care, providing a bespoke support package to help you on your way. We'll guide you through the process of re-registering with the HCPC and empower you to achieve the required criteria.

Return to practice

Overseas

If you’re interested in bringing your skills to England, you’ve come to the right place. When you work with us, you’ll join our passionate team and enjoy job security, a competitive salary and flexible hours.

Overseas

Case study

Laura Doucas, Advanced Orthoptist Case Study

Alongside working within a core Orthoptic clinic in the community, I have an advanced role in neuro–ophthalmology within our acute hospitals.

I work with patients who have neurological conditions
such as stroke and brain tumours as part of a wider
multi-professional team. I help patients manage the
visual symptoms of their condition and provide advice for visual and general rehabilitation. I also work alongside neuro-ophthalmologists, assessing and monitoring visual function of those attending outpatient clinics.

I have always found the Royal Devon to be very
supportive of role development, helping me access
external courses and work-based training that empowers me to improve the way we deliver care across our services.

What can I expect to get paid?

Agenda for change

Known as ‘Agenda for Change’, NHS pay is structured around different bandings for a fair and transparent pay structure. Levels of pay vary within each band according to experience. As your career develops, you can expect to earn more and move to the top of your pay banding before working your way up to the next one.

Healthcare Support Workers and Trainee Assistant Practitioners are usually within Bands 2 to 4
Registered Practitioners usually start within Band 5 or Band 6
Advanced Practitioners can advance all the way up to Band 7 and Band 8

Agenda for change

Watch

Watch: working as an Orthoptist

Work flexibly

Choose your shifts to suit your needs, apply to join our Staff Bank.

We'll help you feel at home

We have a bespoke package of support, guidance and resources to help you get settled.