About this apprenticeship
What it involves
Orthoptists assess, diagnose, and treat disorders of eye movement, binocular vision, and visual development, working with children and adults in NHS eye clinics and hospitals. This Level 6 integrated degree apprenticeship leads to HCPC registration and a BSc in Orthoptics. Graduates can specialise in paediatric orthoptics, low vision, stroke rehabilitation, or neurological conditions.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Visual physiology, binocular vision, and eye movement disorders
Orthoptic assessment techniques and diagnostic investigations
Management of amblyopia (lazy eye), squint, and diplopia
Paediatric visual development and screening methods
Neurological and systemic conditions affecting eye movement
HCPC professional standards and clinical governance
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Assess children and adults for squint, lazy eye, and eye movement problems
Carry out orthoptic investigations including cover test and binocular vision tests
Deliver occlusion therapy programmes for amblyopia
Monitor visual development in children referred from screening
Write clinical reports and collaborate with ophthalmologists
Advise patients and parents on treatment plans and progress
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 6 (Degree) - roughly Bachelor’s-degree level. Usually needs A-levels or a Level 3 qualification (employers set UCAS-point targets). You earn a full degree while you work - with no tuition fees to pay.
What’s next: Leads into professional roles, sometimes with a Level 7 (Master’s) apprenticeship after.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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