Your tasks as an orthoptist
Help people to see the bigger picture
You will examine patients of all ages and assist with diagnostics and therapies. You will use your expertise to recognize and treat eye diseases such as strabismus, visual impairments or eye movement disorders. You will soon be able to work independently under supervision.
These are the requirements
Application for orthoptics training
You have a high school diploma with good grades in the natural sciences, can express yourself very well in German (level B2) and have a good command of English. You are characterized by empathy and enjoy working with people, and you are willing to adapt to patients of all ages. Experience from an internship is a plus.
Frequently asked questions / FAQ
Your theoretical training takes place at the vocational school for orthoptics at the Center for Ophthalmology at the University Hospital Cologne and is completed with the state examination. The curriculum includes, for example, anatomy and physiology of the eye, the basics of stereopsis (3D vision), eye movement disorders, physics, optics and spectacle theory.
Our school is directly linked to our Center for Ophthalmology. More specifically, to the Strabology and Neuroophthalmology department. Thanks to the broad spectrum of eye movement disorders and different forms of strabismus, you will be able to apply your knowledge to examine, diagnose and treat patients of all ages. For example, you will learn how to fit contact lenses.
If, after a few years in the profession, you realize that you would like to specialize further, there are a wide variety of directions open to you: How about further training to become a teaching orthoptist? With a part-time degree in healthcare education? Or specializing in magnifying visual aids or developmental disorders? Orthoptics offers you a wide range of opportunities.
After your training, you can work in ophthalmology practices, neurological clinics, rehabilitation facilities for the visually impaired or in eye movement research, for example. As you can see, your future prospects are very good. Especially if you stay at the University Hospital: If you successfully complete your training with us, you have a very good chance of being taken on.
You are welcome to apply using the online form, which you can find under the current vacancy. Unfortunately, we cannot consider e-mail applications.
Your opportunities at the university hospital
Get to know us better
Insights into ophthalmology
We maintain and improve the vision of our patients. For example, with special consultation hours for rare eye diseases or in pediatric eye surgery.
