Orthoptist

The full-time apprenticeship lasts three years and consists of theoretical and practical lessons as well as practical training. The training concludes with a written, an oral and a practical examination.

Since 2019, trainees at the orthoptist school at Heidelberg University Hospital have received a training allowance (as of 01.05.2024)

1st year of training: 1,245.24 euros
2nd year Year of training: 1,305.30 euros
3. Year of training: 1,402.03 euros

Theoretical and practical lessons

Theoretical and practical instruction comprises at least 1700 hours, and at least 2800 hours must be completed in practical training. It is not possible to shorten the training.

Six teaching orthoptists provide the theoretical instruction. They are supported by the senior physicians of the Section for Strabismus Treatment and Neuroophthalmology as well as several external lecturers.
The theoretical and practical teaching includes the following subjects:

• General anatomy and physiology
• Special anatomy and physiology
• General pathology, pediatrics
• Pharmacology
• General ophthalmology
• Neuroophthalmology
• Orthoptics and pleoptics
• Eye movement disorders
• Physics, optics, ophthalmology
• hygiene
• Professional, legal and civic education

The orthoptist school is closely linked to the Section for Strabismus Treatment and Neuroophthalmology at the Eye Clinic of Heidelberg University Hospital. This guarantees that practical training is continuous from the first semester onwards and is based on the latest scientific findings. The teaching orthoptists not only impart theoretical knowledge, they also provide practical training on patients. This practical training includes, among other things

• Taking anamnesis and findings and documentation
• Therapy planning and implementation
• Conducting consultations and counseling

Prerequisites

• For an apprenticeship as well as for a later job in orthoptics, it is essential to enjoy working with people of all ages and to have an interest in scientific subjects.
• It is important that applicants express themselves in a way that is appropriate to the situation and the target group, self-reflective and comprehensible, both in conversation and in writing. The application documents should also reflect this.
• We assume that prospective orthoptists have a high level of social competence. They should be open to working with people, have a strong sense of empathy and at the same time be able to maintain a healthy distance. Sensitivity and empathy are essential in order to be able to respond to the individual needs of patients.
  Mental resilience and emotional stability are also essential for working with people, some of whom are seriously ill. In order to protect their mental health, adequate handling of stressful situations, regulation of their own emotions, effective self-organization and a high level of stress tolerance are elementary for prospective orthoptists.
• Secondary school leaving certificate or an equivalent/higher school leaving certificate or another completed ten-year school education that supplements the secondary school leaving certificate

Application documents

Applications should be submitted to us with the following documents as originals or copies:

• Letter of application
• Curriculum vitae with photo
• 10th grade school-leaving certificate, if applicable further half-year or final certificates (Abitur, previous training, etc.)
• For applicants who obtained their school-leaving certificate abroad: Assessment of the school-leaving certificate by the Stuttgart Regional Council
• Certificates and attestations of previous activities and internships
• Application for admission

For the course starting in October 2025, we accept applications by email until March 31, 2025, only in exceptional cases by post (please do not send application folders, but arrange the documents in an envelope and send it to us). The selection procedure will take place between February and May 2025.

You can only enter the selection process if your application documents are complete. Have you already found out more about the profession of orthoptist, for example during a work shadowing or internship in an orthoptic facility or an ophthalmologist's practice with an orthoptist? If so, please enclose a certificate of this internship with your application.

If you are accepted for a training place, you will need to provide the following documents:

• health suitability and proof of immunity against measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox and pertussis
  (form will be sent with the acceptance letter)
• Police clearance certificate

From the start of your training, you are an employee of Heidelberg University Hospital. Attendance is compulsory during theoretical and practical training. The orthoptist school must certify your regular and successful participation in the training so that you can be admitted to the state final examination. You have six weeks of vacation per year. If you meet the relevant requirements, you can rent a room in the staff dormitory. Rooms of different sizes and facilities are available in staff residences in Heidelberg-Neuenheim (Neuenheimer Feld campus) and Heidelberg-Schlierbach (Orthopaedic University Hospital). In Neuenheim, rents are between € 175 and € 239/month, in Schlierbach between € 295 and € 302/month. (as of January 2024)

Orthoptists work in ophthalmologists' practices, eye clinics, rehabilitation and visually impaired facilities and early intervention centers. Other tasks may include teaching and research. Trainees who continue their studies to obtain a Bachelor of Science (Interprofessional Healthcare) after successfully completing their training can apply for part-time employment as a clinical orthoptist in the Section for Strabismus Treatment and Neuroophthalmology at the University Eye Clinic.

Further professional training for orthoptists

After completing their training, orthoptists can continue their education in various fields and obtain further qualifications:

• Specialist in magnifying vision aids and low-vision consultation
• Specialist in diagnostics and early detection of visually-related developmental and learning disorders
• Visual rehabilitation for acquired brain lesions