Orthoptist Job Description

What is the job description of an Orthoptist? What are the duties and responsibilities of an Orthoptist? What does an Orthoptist do?

Job description of an Orthoptist

An Orthoptist's job description involves diagnosing and managing a range of eye conditions that largely affect eye movement and visual development in patients of all ages. They work in a variety of settings, including private practices, clinics, and hospitals.

They often work closely with other vision specialists, such as ophthalmologists, to evaluate and diagnose patients' eye disorders and recommend plans for treatment. Orthoptists are not medical doctors but they have extensive formal education and training in the visual system.

This Orthoptist job description example includes the list of most important Orthoptist duties and responsibilities as shown below. It can be modified to fit the specific Orthoptist profile you're trying to fill as a recruiter or job seeker.

Orthoptist Duties and Responsibilities

Orthoptist job description should contain a variety of functions and roles including:

  • Assess, interpret and diagnose eye position and eye movement disorders
  • Assess and interpret a patient's visual development
  • Investigate causes of vision and visual field loss
  • Formulate a treatment plan, which might include prescribing an eye patch, eye exercises or the use of prisms
  • Manage medicines
  • Refer patients for further tests or investigations
  • Work as part of a multidisciplinary team
  • Monitor patients' treatment and condition
  • Undertake general administrative duties relating to patient care
  • Contribute to service improvement and audit
  • Be aware of public health initiatives
  • Train students on placement and other health professionals, e.g. pre-registration optometry and undergraduate medical students
  • Be responsible for your own continued professional development (CPD) and mandatory training.

Orthoptist Requirements / Skills / Qualifications

Orthoptist job description should include these common skills and qualifications:

  • A degree in vision science, health science or biological science.
  • A postgraduate qualification in orthoptics
  • Communication and interpersonal skills (written and oral)
  • Ability to form a good rapport with colleagues at all levels
  • Ability to empathise and communicate tactfully with patients
  • Team working skills and a collaborative approach to work
  • Flexibility and adaptability
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Good observational skills and attention to detail
  • General IT skills
  • A good attitude to self-directed learning
  • Reflective practice skills.
  • Ability to work independently, organising your own workload and appointments
  • Good observational skills and attention to detail
  • Ability to work under pressure in a busy environment
  • Patience
  • Good time management awareness
  • Self-motivation

As a hiring manager, recruiting an ideal Orthoptist starts with crafting a good job description. Use this Orthoptist job description template to save yourself time and help you attract the most qualified candidates. Feel free to revise it to meet your specific needs.

Job seekers interviewing for the role of an Orthoptist may also reference it in preparation for the interview.