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Orthoptist
Hours
37.5 per week
Starting salary
£20,700 + per year
If you have an interest and ability in human biology, and you would like to help people with their eyesight, this job could be for you.
As an orthoptist, you would diagnose and treat a range of abnormalities that affect eye muscles, connected nerves, eye movement, vision and alignment.
In this job you would need to be able to get on with many different types of people. As you would work with a lot of children you would need to be able to relate to them well, and think of interesting approaches to keep them content whilst undergoing tests. You would also need to be accurate and pay close attention to detail.
To get into this job you will need to be state registered with a degree in orthoptics, approved by the Health Professions Council (HPC).
WorkDesc
The work
As an orthoptist, you could work with clients experiencing problems such as:
- a squint (strabismus)
- reduced or double vision
- ‘lazy eye’ (amblyopia)
- a disorder due to injury or disease.
During a client consultation, you would carry out a detailed examination, select a method of diagnosis and interpret the results. With this information you could recommend a form of treatment, which may include:
- using an eye patch
- doing regular eye exercises
- paediatric contact lenses (and teaching parents how to insert and remove them)
- low vision aids
- a recommendation for surgery
- a referral to another specialist (for example, when you have identified a problem caused by another condition, like a brain tumour).
You would keep accurate client records including details of diagnosis, treatment and progress.
You would mainly work with children (aged between four and five), carrying out primary vision tests. However, your clients could also include people with learning disabilities, older people and others with eye disorders, facial injuries or rehabilitation needs, for example following a stroke.
You are likely to work within a team alongside other healthcare professionals, including ophthalmologists (eye surgeons), helping patients manage conditions such as glaucoma and cataracts.
HoursDesc
Hours
You would usually work 37.5 hours a week, Monday to Friday. Part-time hours and job sharing may also be available.
You could see patients in a variety of settings including an examination room in a hospital ophthalmic department, on hospital wards or in outpatient clinics. You could also be based in the community, working in a health centre, day nursery, special school, school clinic or mobile clinic. You may be able to combine hospital and community work.
IncomeDesc
Income
Newly qualified orthoptists can earn between £20,700 and £26,800 a year. Specialist and advanced practitioners can earn between £25,000 and £39,300. Heads of service can earn up to £65,600.
Orthoptists in private practice may earn more.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
EntryRequirementsDesc
Entry requirements
You will need to be state registered with a degree in orthoptics, approved by the Health Professions Council (HPC). Two universities run the approved degree programme (links open in a new window):
Degree courses are three years, full-time and the entry requirements usually include:
- five GCSEs (A-C) in English, maths and two science subjects
- two or three A levels, one of which should be biology.
Check with the universities for exact entry requirements as alternative qualifications may also be accepted.
You will need to show a good understanding of the profession before you apply for a course, and you could do this by arranging a period of work experience with your local orthoptic department (contact your local NHS Trust for details).
As a student you can join the British and Irish Orthoptic Society, which will give you access to a range of resources and networking opportunities.
TrainingAndDevelopmentDesc
Training and development
Once you are on an approved course, you will study subjects such as:
- ophthalmology
- child health and paediatrics
- ocular anatomy
- electrodiagnosis
- visual perception.
You will also spend around 30 weeks on clinical placements within hospitals, the community and in special schools working directly with patients under supervision.
As a qualified orthoptist you need to keep your skills and knowledge up to date. The British and Irish Orthoptic Society can give you further advice as well as access to professional development opportunities.
You could continue your studies and work towards a qualification such as an MSc, MPhil or PhD, which may help with career progression.
SkillsAndKnowledgeDesc
Skills and knowledge
To be an orthoptist you should have:
- an interest and ability in science (particularly biology)
- the ability to relate well to people of all ages and backgrounds
- patience and empathy
- strong spoken communication skills
- the ability to form trusting relationships with children
- a creative approach for working with children
- good observational skills
- accuracy and attention to detail
- good maths skills
- a steady hand and practical skills
- a positive, encouraging manner
- good team working skills and the ability to work alone.
MoreInformationDesc
More information
Health Professions Council 
Park House
184 Kennington Park Road
London
SE11 4BU
Tel: 020 7582 0866
www.hpc-uk.org
NHS Careers
PO Box 2311
Bristol
BS2 2ZX
Tel: 0345 60 60 655
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk
British and Irish Orthoptic Society
Tavistock House North
Tavistock Square
London
WC1H 9HX
Tel: 020 7387 7992
www.orthoptics.org.uk
Health Learning and Skills Advice Line
Tel: 08000 150850
OpportunitiesDesc
Opportunities
You will find most jobs within the NHS, in eye hospitals, the eye care department of a general hospital or in a community health centre. However, you can also find work in private hospitals and clinics, special schools, charities and occasionally in the armed forces.
Job prospects are generally good, but you may need to relocate to find your first post. The NHS has a clearly defined promotion structure, which ranges from basic grade orthoptist to head orthoptist, managing a team or department. Jobs can be advertised through NHS Jobs, but you should also check directly with local NHS Trusts.
With experience and further training, you could move your career towards teaching in a university. British orthoptic training and qualifications are recognised in most countries, so you could go on to work overseas.
LMIData
Related industry information
Industry summary
The health sector is represented by Skills for Health Sector Skills Council, which comprises three sub‐sectors:
- National Health Service (NHS)
- Independent Healthcare Sector (such as private and charitable healthcare providers)
- Third Sector (healthcare) (such as small local community and voluntary groups, registered charities, foundations, trusts, social enterprises and co‐operatives)
The health sector is made up of hospitals, doctors’ surgeries, dental practices, the ambulance service, nursing homes, residential care homes, complementary medicine and a huge range of other health related activities, from sight tests in opticians to research in medical laboratories. Most people in the health sector work in the publicly funded National Health Service (NHS), which includes:
- primary care (organisations which the public goes to first) – Doctors/General Practitioners (GPs), NHS Walk in Centres, NHS Direct, Out of Hours Emergency Care
- secondary care (organisations which the public are referred onto) – Ambulance Trusts, NHS Trusts/hospitals, NHS Foundation Trusts/hospitals, Mental Health Trusts, Care Trusts (provide joint health and social care activities)
NHS policy in England is directed from the centre by the Department of Health. Local organisations, known as Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), are in charge of providing and commissioning services, controlling the majority of the budget. PCTs are overseen by 10 regional organisations called Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs).
The independent sector includes companies and charities that offer hospital and specialist services usually after referral from a doctor. Operations and other work are carried out in private hospitals, independent treatment centres, mental health units and hospices.
Key facts:
- The health sector is the largest employer in the UK, representing 5.5% of the working age population of the UK and 7.3% of the working age population that are currently in employment.
- It is estimated that the sector employs over 2 million people, including:
- over 1.5 million people in the NHS (72%)
- over 0.5 million people in the Independent Healthcare sector (26%)
- almost 40,000 in the voluntary sector (2%)
- 56% of the workforce has a higher education qualification (or equivalent).
- The age profile for the sector shows an older than average workforce, which is due in part to the fact that it takes some professions a long time to train and can mean that people enter the sector later.
There is a varied list of jobs in the sector ranging from a diverse number of clinical roles, to support and infrastructure staff, for instance: Allied Health Professionals (AHPs); Ambulance Staff; Dental Staff; Doctors/Medical staff; Nursing staff; Midwifery Staff; Healthcare Scientists; Health Informatics Staff; Management; Wider Healthcare Team; Complementary Therapists.
National and regional data
High proportions of the health sector workforce are located in:
- London
- South East
- North West
East Midlands - The health sector employs 131,515 people, which accounts for 7% of all employment in the region.
- The East Midlands employs 8% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 29% of all employment across the sector or 41,200 employees.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 133,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
East of England - The health sector employs 164,720 people, which accounts for 7% of all employment in the region.
- The East of England employs 9.8 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 30% of all employment across the sector or 52,300 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 14% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 103,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
London - The health sector employs over 249,524 people, which accounts for 6% of all the employment in the region.
- London employs 15% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 33% of all employment across the sector or 78,500 employees.
- Vacancies in health and social work account for 12% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 146,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
North East - The health sector employs 89,201 people, which accounts for 8.7% of all employment in the region.
- The North East employs 5.3 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 25% of all employment across the sector or 23,800 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be almost 46,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
North West - The health sector employs 251,960 people, which accounts for 8% of all employment in the region.
- The North West employs 15% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 23.5% of all employment across the sector or 59,200 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work account for 11% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 133,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
South East - The health sector employs 264,071 people, which accounts for 7.1% of all employment in the region.
- The South East employs 15.7% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 23.5% of all employment across the sector or 59,200 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all Industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 164,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
South West - The health sector employs 182,187 people, which accounts for 8.2% of all employment in the region.
- The South West employs 10.8 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 30% of all employment across the sector or 60,700 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all Industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 105,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
West Midlands - The health sector employs 168,746 people, which accounts for 7.2% of all employment in the region.
- The West Midlands employs 10% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 25% of all employment across the sector or 43,000 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 9% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 108,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
Yorkshire and the Humber - The health sector employs 182,848 people, which accounts for 8.2% of all employment in the region.
- Yorkshire and the Humber employ 10.9 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 24% of the total health care workforce or 42,000 employees.
- Vacancies in health and social work account for 11% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 97,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
Northern Ireland - The health sector employs 61,300 people.
- Northern Ireland employs 3% of the total health sector workforce.
- 81% of the workforce is female.
- 26% of the workforce is aged 35‐44 years.
- 96% of the workforce is white.
- 10% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 48% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 23% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
Scotland - The health sector employs 201,500 people.
- Scotland employs 10% of the total health sector workforce.
- 78% of the workforce is female.
- 30% of the workforce is aged 45‐54 years.
- 95% of the workforce is white.
- 14% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 39% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 23% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
Wales - The health sector employs 114,900 people.
- Wales employs 6% of the total health sector workforce.
- 74% of the workforce is female.
- 34% of the workforce is aged 45‐54 years.
- 94% of the workforce is white.
- 18% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 40% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 27% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey, 2008‐2009, Annual Business Inquiry, 2007, and Northern Ireland Census of Employment, 2007]
Career paths
Further sources
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