Available on the Learning Hub

This programme has moved to the NHS Learning Hub. We recommend you read the information on this webpage to find out more about the programme before you access the learning (https://learninghub.nhs.uk/catalogue/orthoptics-careers-overview/)

More information about the Learning Hub and the migration of elfh programmes can be found here.

About the Orthoptics Careers Overview programme

The programme offers an alternative to face to face career experiences to enable the learner to gain an understanding of what a career in Orthoptics includes and the skills and knowledge required. This programme offers an accessible insight into an AHP career.

More information

The aim of the programme is to bridge the knowledge gap between the rational and emotional benefits of orthoptics (I See the Difference project) and what students can expect to study at university. The interactive content demonstrates the complexity of the course to appeal to those with a strong science background, who may be considering a medical career.

The elearning modules explore 4 specific areas that underpin an orthoptist’s knowledge base to practice as an autonomous clinician:

• Vision function and how this is closely associated to brain development
• Binocular vision
• Eye muscle control and strabismus
• The cranial nerves – and how disease can present as eye symptoms

The programme is aimed at students to demonstrate how science subjects relate to ‘real life’ jobs. Students may wish to access the learning with other career influencers such as career advisors, family and friends. The programme also lends itself as a recruitment tool for mature students, career changers and ex-armed forces and complements other work streams created by the Strategic Interventions in Health Education Disciplines (SIHED) project and Health Education England.

Acknowledgements

• The SIHED project
• British and Irish Orthoptic Society
• Orthoptic Department at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital
• Admissions tutors for Orthoptics at The University of Liverpool and The University of Sheffield

Would you like more information about a career in orthoptics?

You can find more information about a career in orthoptics at orthoptics.org.uk

or by sending your request for further information to careers@orthoptics.org.uk

There are 2 universities in England where you can study orthoptics, the University of Liverpool and the University of Sheffield

For more information on the undergraduate course, including prerequisites please visit:

https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/orthoptics-bsc-hons/overview/

or

https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/2021/orthoptics-bmedsci

Students wishing to study Orthoptics in Scotland can access the undergraduate course at Glasgow Caledonian University. More details can be found here:

https://www.gcu.ac.uk/study/courses/details/index.php/P02367/Orthoptics

UCL and the University of Liverpool also offer fast track routes into orthoptics for prospective students who have a minimum of a second-class Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Relevant subject areas include: biological sciences, chemistry, nursing and psychology 2:2. A range of disciplines will be considered; however, a scientific background or clinical experience is advantageous. Both UCL and the University of Liverpool are two-year full-time Orthoptics MSc (pre-registration) courses:

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught-degrees/orthoptics-pre-registration-msc

https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/taught/orthoptics-pre-registration-msc/overview/

How to access

To access this elfh programme, you will require a Learning Hub account. If you do not have one, then you can register by selecting the Register button below. Note that if you hold a full elfh account, you can sign into the Learning Hub using your existing login credentials.

Register

To view the Orthoptics Careers Overview programme, select the View button below. If you already have a Learning Hub account, you will also be able to login and access the resources within the programme.

View

NHS healthcare staff in England – ESR

The Orthoptics Careers Overview programme is also available to NHS healthcare staff via the Electronic Staff Record (ESR). Accessing this e-learning via ESR means that your completions will transfer with you throughout your NHS career.
Further details are available here.

Not an NHS organisation?

If you are not an NHS health or care organisation and therefore do not qualify for free access to the Learning Hub, you may be able to access the service if you have an existing OpenAthens account. Please go to Learning Hub and sign in with your existing credentials.

If you do not have an existing OpenAthens account, please contact elfh directly to check whether you may be eligible for access.

Registering large numbers of users

If you are a HR, IT or Practice Manager and would like to register and enrol large numbers of staff within your organisation for access onto the Orthoptics Careers Overview programme, please contact elfh directly.

Organisations wishing to use their own LMS

For HR departments wanting to know more about gaining access to courses using an existing Learning Management System please contact elfh directly to express interest.

More information

Please select the following link for more information on how to use the Learning Hub