Specialist Orthoptist

Job summary

Applications are invited from an enthusiastic Orthoptist to join our friendly team of 17 Orthoptists, 18 Ophthalmologists and 8 hospital Optometrists based in the purpose-built eye clinic at Maidstone General Hospital serving a population of approximately 900,000 within the Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells, North Kent, Medway and Swale areas.

Post graduate clinical experience is preferable but not essential - newly qualified graduates or those returning to practice after a career break are welcome to apply as a Band 5 and follow the BIOS preceptorship scheme at the start or restart of their careers.

Please note that the Orthoptists at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS trust are eligible for a 5% Recruitment and Retention Premium salary uplift until 31.3.26 and up to £8000 relocation expenses if certain criteria are met.

New graduates will start as a Band 5 and work through competencies to progress to Band 6 over a minimum of 12 months.

Maidstone is the county town of Kent with both excellent links to the hustle and bustle of London and easy access to the beautiful countryside in the "Garden of England" and Kent coastline with award winning beaches. You would have the best of both worlds being close to the sights and sounds of the city of London while enjoying the comforts and advantages of living in a more rural town. With high performing Grammar schools in the town this may be the perfect place to relocate to for you and your family.

Main duties of the job

The Orthoptists at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust have an interesting and varied workload with 3 Ophthalmologists who specialise in paediatrics and ocular motility. The Orthoptic department support BTXA clinics, joint Orthoptic and Ophthalmology paediatric and adult clinics, oculoplastic, including TED clinics, joint Orthoptic and Optometry clinics, the busy emergency eye service and more. This role involves working at Maidstone Hospital and our other sites Medway Hospital and/or Tunbridge Wells Hospital so the ability to travel to different hospitals is essential.

You must hold a degree or diploma in Orthoptics and be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council. The Orthoptic department is an accredited clinical placement for Liverpool, Sheffield and UCL University Orthoptic students and is actively involved in teaching other professionals such as pre-registration Optometrists. An interest in developing teaching skills or a teaching qualification is therefore preferable.

The Orthoptists have extended roles in VPD, SEN, VI, stroke and glaucoma and with encouragement from the departments Orthoptic clinical tutor and clinical lead we regularly participate in department audit, research, journal clubs, clinical governance and training days for CPD.

About us

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 NHS Staff Survey.

We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.

Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.

Looking for flexible working?We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it's adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.

Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:

• At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
• Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
• Blue Light card eligibility
• And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below