Role Summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Head Orthoptist to lead and manage all Orthoptic Services across North Devon, delivering care at both acute trust and community sites.
The post holder will be responsible and accountable for the delivery, governance and development of orthoptic services, providing strong clinical and professional leadership as the Trust’s lead for this allied health profession. Alongside strategic and operational leadership, the role includes the delivery of specialised orthoptic services, oversight and contribution to the glaucoma monitoring service, and the provision of expert orthoptic advice across the organisation.
About the Role
For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.
More detail about the role
The Head Orthoptist will lead and coordinate the development, delivery and implementation of Orthoptic Services across the Trust, supporting both the professional and personal development of the orthoptic workforce. The post holder is responsible and accountable to the Trust for the delivery, management and governance of all orthoptic clinical services and glaucoma monitoring services for the population of North Devon, delivered across both acute hospital and community settings.
The role includes full oversight of the North Devon primary school vision screening service for reception‑age children (4–5 years), ensuring safe, effective and high‑quality delivery in line with national and local standards.
The post holder will act as a professional role model, providing strong clinical and professional leadership to the orthoptic team and delivering expert orthoptic advice to colleagues and the wider multidisciplinary team. The successful candidate will have extensive clinical experience, alongside a proactive approach, using initiative to drive service development and improvement. Strong communication and organisational skills are essential to manage complex services and competing priorities effectively.
The Head Orthoptist will hold line management responsibility for a multidisciplinary team of approximately 18 staff, including administrative staff, clinical nurse specialists, orthoptists, orthoptic assistants and an optometrist. This includes responsibility for workforce planning, financial and physical resource management, governance and quality assurance.
Alongside leadership responsibilities, the post holder will personally deliver specialist clinical services as an autonomous practitioner. The service includes extended roles in the monitoring and management of patients with wet macular degeneration, glaucoma, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis, as well as the delivery of Botox injections for blepharospasm. The Orthoptic Service also works closely with Neurology, Maxillofacial and the Stroke teams, contributing to integrated, multidisciplinary patient care pathways.
Experience as a clinical tutor would be an advantage, particularly to support the development of future apprenticeship and training opportunities within the Trust.
As a senior member of the Ophthalmology management team, the Head Orthoptist will work collaboratively as a team player, contributing to both the operational management and strategic development of ophthalmology services, with a clear patient‑focused approach at the centre of service delivery.
Working Pattern: 37.5 hours per week. Full Time over 4 days (x3 days 08:00 - 18:00 and x1 day 08:00 - 17:30)
Interview Date: To be confirmed
For further information please contact:
Sue Thorne, Head Orthoptist
Tel: 01271 322469
Email: susanthorne@nhs.net
or
Sam Flynn, Senior Operations Manager
Email: sam.flynn1@nhs.net
As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
Preference will be given to staff with ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.
About Us
Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford). Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within people’s own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).
Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.
Our values are at the heart of everything we do, click here to find out more
It has never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as you will help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.
Benefits
Looking after you is important to us.
We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.
If you are starting out in the NHS, you’ll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.
You will benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.
We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.
This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we will help you get there.
Salary is not the only financial benefit
You will have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers. You will also have access to other benefits including:
- National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.
- Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter
- Car lease schemes.
- The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).
- Cycle to work scheme
These are just a few of the benefits available – if the role is something you are interested in, we would love to hear from you.
