Senior Orthoptist

The Hospital:

The Royal Children’s Hospital’s (RCH) Vision is “A world where all kids thrive”.

RCH is a cornerstone member of the Melbourne Children’s Campus, partnering with Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, The University of Melbourne Department of Paediatrics and The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation.

RCH has cared for the children and young people of Victoria for more than 150 years since it was founded in 1870. A full range of paediatrics and adolescent health services are provided plus tertiary and quaternary care for the most critically ill and medically complex patients in Victoria, Tasmania, southern NSW and other states around Australia and overseas. The Hospital has more than 6,000 staff, a budget of $850M, 12 wards and 350 beds. Annually, the RCH has 300,000+ Specialist Clinic appointments, 90,000+ Emergency Department presentations and 20,000 elective surgeries.

The RCH is committed to the Child Safe Standards. 

RCH enjoys high employee engagement and is committed to staff safety and a positive culture through enactment of our Compact.

For further Information on RCH is available here.

About the Role:

This is a Fixed Term Part Time position to cover Parental Leave for 12 months at 16 hours per fortnight within the Department of Ophthalmology.  We are seeking an experienced Orthoptist with several years' experience in paediatric orthoptics, with highly developed clinical and communication skills. This role requires you to have a strong attention to detail, be highly organised and possess demonstrated abilities in meeting deadlines and performing both as a team member and independently.

• Lead by example in the delivery of a high standard of orthoptic care.
• Clinical assessment and care of both outpatients and referred inpatients in sponsored or independent clinics in line with key accountabilities. 
• Has experience working in orthoptist led clinics in paediatric orthoptics, performing pre and post dilated ophthalmic examinations.
• Experienced clinical supervisor/educator.

Position and Work Areas:

Administrative / Educational / Research:

• Act as a clinical / educational resource to healthcare professionals internally and externally, delivering specialist advice, support and/or education.
• Complete administrative tasks and respond to all enquiries in a professional and timely manner.
• Participate in projects and educational/CPD events as allocated by the Chief Orthoptist or Department Director.
• Assist the Chief Orthoptist and Department Director with ad hoc administrative tasks as required.
• Supervise and teach students in a supportive environment according to department guidelines.
• Contribute to the discipline research agenda.

Communication:

• Develop appropriate rapport with patients, their parents, and carers, providing verbal and/or written advice as required in accordance with best practice and department guidelines.
• Liaise consistently with team members.
• Provide timely written and/or verbal advice to internal and external colleagues and referring clinicians.
• Promote an open, friendly, and professionally supportive and educative environment.

Facilities and Equipment:

• Maintain the department’s resources and equipment to a standard for current practice and use.
• Assist in maintaining organised clinical consulting rooms.
• Maintain accurate and timely record keeping, including assessments, treatment aims, interventions, outcomes and management plans.

Your skills and experience:

• Bachelor of Applied Science (Orthoptics) or equivalent.
• Registered with the Australian Orthoptic Board (AOB).
• Extensive experience in paediatric orthoptics.
• Ophthalmic triage experience                                                       

If this sounds like you, please click here to view the position description.

Application process:

To apply, you will need a resume and a tailored cover letter outlining your skills, experience, and suitability for the position in line with the requirements of the position description. Shortlisting for this position will commence immediately, we encourage you to apply promptly! For more information, please contact Catherine Lewis via email on: cathy.lewis@rch.org.au

Why work at the RCH?

RCH enjoys high employee engagement and is committed to staff safety and a positive culture through enactment of our Compact. We offer the opportunity to work in world-class facilities, surrounded by Royal Park and only a short tram trip from the heart of Melbourne city.

We also offer discounted staff parking, salary packaging, and an award-winning health and wellbeing program.

The RCH is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally and/or linguistically diverse background, all members of the LGBTQI community and people with disability.

It is a requirement of your employment that you be vaccinated against Influenza annually for Category A and B roles, in compliance with any public health orders in place at the relevant time, unless you have a medical exception in line with those public health orders, which has been accepted by The Royal Children’s Hospital.  Applicants will be required to provide their Australian Government Immunisation History Statement, it is a requirement of the RCH to collect, record and hold vaccination information.

It is also a requirement of your employment that you comply with any direction given by The Royal Children’s Hospital that you be vaccinated against, or prove immunity to, any other disease, unless you have a relevant exemption

Are you ready to join our team? 

 Apply online by clicking on the “Apply” button

Applications close 25 March, 2026.