Role Summary
Are you eager to advance your career or a Band 6 Orthoptist seeking a better work-life balance within an innovative Trust? An exciting opportunity awaits a full-time or part time Band 5/6 Orthoptist to join our dynamic team. We welcome applications from newly qualified Orthoptists.
About the Role
For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.
More detail about the role:
If you have a desire for a fulfilling work-life balance in an area of outstanding natural beauty, boasting two National Parks – Dartmoor and Exmoor – along with stunning world-class beaches, North Devon is the ideal location. Recently honoured as Britain’s first World Surfing Reserve, it offers a fantastic lifestyle.
Our Orthoptic department currently provides general Adult and Paediatric Clinics, serving patients from eye casualty, neurology, stroke rehabilitation teams, vision screening, and special school screening. In an extended role capacity, we actively support clinics for Dystonia/Botox, JIA, AMD, and Glaucoma Monitoring.
This role provides excellent training and development opportunities. We are committed to supporting your career growth within one of the largest NHS Trusts in the South West. For new graduates, we offer a valuable chance for development and mentorship. Initially, new graduates or those without relevant experience will be paid at Band 5 rate. Progression to Band 6 is achievable upon completion of a preceptorship program and relevant competencies, all within a supportive learning environment, ultimately working towards an extended role.
The successful candidate will work alongside a dedicated team of Ophthalmologists, Orthoptists, Orthoptic Assistants, Optometrists, and Nurses in a bustling and supportive department.
While the primary location is North Devon District Hospital, the role may involve holding Clinics at various community locations, necessitating the ability to travel.
Applicants should be enthusiastic, motivated, and ready to contribute to a busy environment. Beyond supporting the core Orthoptic Adult and Paediatric Service, there are opportunities to develop skills and work in an extended role based on service needs.
Professional development is actively encouraged, with participation in Clinical Audit, Clinical Governance sessions, Journal Clubs, Departmental Meetings, and relevant courses/seminars.
Applicants must hold a degree or diploma in Orthoptics and be registered with the HCPC.
Working Pattern: 37.5 hours over 4 days for full time staff. Three x 9.5 hour days and one x 9 hour day. If a successful candidate is recruited to work part time, hours and shifts will be agreed. We understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance, and North Devon provides an excellent environment to achieve it. Additionally, our flexible working policy allows for discussions on adjusting your hours to better suit your needs and those of the department.
Interview Date: To be confirmed.
For further information please contact: Susan Thorne, Head Orthoptist on 01271 322469 or susanthorne@nhs.net
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.
