Orthoptic Assistant – Band 4(UK visa sponsorship available)
Job Description
Job Summary
People looking for a role that helps patients and builds skills might find this interesting. The Orthoptic and Ophthalmology Department at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge University Hospitals, or CUH, has an opening for an Orthoptic Assistant.
In this job, you handle first contacts with patients, parents, and staff. That means doing clinical checks and admin tasks to keep things running in Orthoptic clinics, Virtual Glaucoma ones, Neuro-ophthalmic areas, and other specialties.
It is a good chance to grow in a place that supports new ideas and gives solid training plus CPD. You might need to cover offsite spots sometimes, and there could be Saturday shifts now and then.
If you want to chat informally or set up a visit, reach out to Shazia Hussain. She is the Head Orthoptist. Her number is 01223 216258.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
You give clinical and admin help to the Orthoptic and Ophthalmic Technician team.
Under supervision from registered orthoptists, you do ophthalmic imaging and visual assessments. That includes DigVis for kids and adults.
Take charge in running technician-led clinics.
You coordinate schedules, handle timetables, manage buying supplies, and deal with questions from patients, parents, or staff.
Help the Head Orthoptist and Ophthalmic Technician Coordinator on things like staff leave, covering sickness, service setup, and bringing in new people.
Set up meetings and training sessions. That involves taking minutes too.
You assist in teaching multidisciplinary staff about ophthalmic imaging and visual assessments.
Keep all the ophthalmic imaging gear and orthoptic equipment working right.
Work on your own or with the team. Show good communication and people skills along the way.
About Us, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust runs Addenbrooke’s Hospital and The Rosie Hospital. It stands as one of the biggest teaching hospitals in the UK. Over 13,000 staff work there, and it has 1,100 beds. The Care Quality Commission rates it Outstanding for care and Good overall.
Our values. Together: Safe, Kind, Excellent. They shape what we do every day. We deliver top healthcare right here locally, across the region, nationwide, and even abroad. Plus, we build a work spot that pushes diversity, inclusion, and ongoing learning.
Benefits of Working at CUH
You get lots of development and CPD chances.
On-site, there are leisure spots, day nurseries, and staff cafés.
Transport help includes cheaper Stagecoach bus rides and free Park and Ride.
Eligible staff can park on-site for less.
Hot food comes hot around the clock at lower prices.
There is a colleague-only café and rest area called the Deakin Centre.
Flexible work covers part-time, job shares, and term-time setups.
We focus on work-life balance and wellbeing support.
Applications from Armed Forces members are welcome too.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential.
NVQ Level III or higher in a care subject. Or same level of clinical experience.
Five GCSEs at Grade C or better. That includes English and Maths. Or equivalents.
A leadership or supervisory qualification. Or ready to finish one in six months after starting.
Desirable.
Some IT qualification.
A Levels in related areas.
Recent training in Appraisal or Recruitment and Selection.
Experience
Essential.
Plenty of time dealing with patients, customers, or folks in general.
Worked with others to fix service problems.
Past time in supervisory roles, teaching, or mentoring.
Admin role background.
Desirable.
Time in Ophthalmology Outpatients or doing visual field tests.
Know-how on Thyroid Eye Disease checks.
Direct management of staff.
Knowledge and Skills
Essential.
Grasp of patient care, keeping things private, health and safety, managing risks.
Solid skills in talking and relating to people. That covers speaking, body language, writing.
Great at managing time and keeping admin spot on.
Can supervise and train people.
Good at solo work and team play.
Desirable.
Familiar with the Trust’s electronic patient records.
Background in mentoring or coaching.
Essential.
Stick to CUH values. Safe, Kind, Excellent.
Reliable and professional. Self-starter too.
Work flexible under stress. Adjust to what the service needs.
Desirable.
Friendly and open. Takes feedback well.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This job needs a DBS check. It falls under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act Exceptions Order from 1975.
Certificate of Sponsorship
We take applications from those needing Skilled Worker Visa help.
More info sits on the UK Visas and Immigration site.
If you lived abroad 12 months or more in the last 10 years, send criminal record certificates from those places. Check the page on Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.
Employer Contact
Employer. Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Department. Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Division D.
Address. Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ.
