How do I become an Orthoptist

An Orthoptist is a Health and Social Care Professional who specialises in the assessment, diagnosis and management of eye movement defects and issues with binocular vision.

There are multiple entry routes to the Orthoptist profession:

  • BSc Orthoptics (Hons)
  • Orthoptics BMedSci
  • Orthoptics MSc

To become an orthoptist, an undergraduate degree or postgraduate degree in Orthoptics must be completed.

Currently, there are no courses in Ireland. Orthoptic degree courses are available in the UK and some other European countries but must be recognised by the British and Irish Orthoptic Society (BIOS).

The Irish Association of Orthoptists (IAO) is the professional body for Orthoptists working in Ireland. For more information please visit Careers Portal

Your role with the HSE

Orthoptists are autonomous practitioners that see patients of all ages with a wide variety of conditions. The profession continues to evolve providing extended roles in clinics such as cataract pre and post op assessment, stable ocular toxicity clinics, stable glaucoma monitoring clinics, stable pituitary clinics, and electro diagnostic testing.

Orthoptists work closely with ophthalmologists, optometrists, nurses, and ophthalmic technicians in a hospital and/or community setting.

Their role includes assessing patients referred from endocrinologists, neurologists, public health nurses, GP’s, and other health and social care professionals and providing a diagnosis and appropriate management plans to resolve a patient’s symptoms or manage their vision problem.

Orthoptists can also contribute to the training of other colleagues.

Career Progression

There are many ways for you to progress in your career:

Clinical Pathway:

  • Orthoptist, Staff Grade
  • Orthoptist, Senior

Educational Pathway:

There are also opportunities available for education roles across the Health and Social Care Professions.

Many Orthoptists move into extended clinical roles in ophthalmology to progress their clinical skills and broaden their ophthalmology knowledge.

Further training and development

The HSCP Office is responsible for Leadership, Education and Continuing Professional Development of Orthoptists working in the HSE.

HSeLanD is the HSE portal that offers an array of training & development opportunities delivered either online or in a classroom style setting. Information on Education and Development can be accessed by visiting the HSCP Hub on www.hseland.ie.

Other examples of professional development activities include access to excellent HSE library services, further training and educational opportunities, attendance at conferences, webinars and workshops, engaging in mentoring and supervision, keeping up with the latest information about the profession through specialised newsletters, blogs, and podcasts.

Staff benefits and testimonials

Working in a rewarding and challenging career is just one of the many benefits you’ll enjoy as a HSE employee. We offer attractive pay and benefits, professional supervision, career support and development opportunities, friendly colleagues, and an excellent quality of life.

See Pay scales – HSE Staff

Staff testimonials coming soon.