I Got Hired: Kyla

Posted on: 15 July 2026 by Richard Finch in Class of 2025

Class of 2025 graduate Kyla works as an Orthoptist at Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, applying the skills and confidence developed through their University of Liverpool experience.

What first caught your attention about this role, and what made you think, “This is for me”? 

During my Orthoptic training at the University of Liverpool, I really enjoyed the mix of patient care, problem-solving and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference to patient's quality of life. I was  drawn to the day to day variety within the profession,  from working with paediatric patients and adults to working closely with ophthalmologists and the wider multidisciplinary team. 

When I saw the opportunity to work as an Orthoptist at Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, it felt like the ideal place to begin my career. I had done a 4 week placement here during my degree. The role offered exposure to a broad range of cases, opportunities to continue developing my skills, and the chance to work in a supportive team that values high-quality patient care. It matched exactly what I was looking for as a newly qualified Orthoptist and felt like the right environment to grow professionally while making a positive impact on patients' lives. 

Which experience along your journey has had the biggest impact on who you are professionally today? 

The experience that has had the biggest impact on me professionally was my clinical placements throughout my Orthoptics degree. They allowed me to apply my academic learning in real clinical settings while developing the confidence to assess and manage patients independently. 

My placements were located all over the UK. I had the opportunity to work in a variety of hospitals, exposing me to different patient groups, conditions and approaches, helping me to become adaptable and resilient. One of my placements at a tertiary referral centre was particularly influential, as it showed me the value of multidisciplinary working and the positive impact that specialist care can have on patients and their families. 

These experiences strengthened my communication skills, clinical decision-making and professionalism, and confirmed that Orthoptics was the right career for me. They also gave me the confidence to transition into my current role as an Orthoptist, where I continue to build on these skills every day. 

What’s been the toughest part of your graduate journey and what did it teach you? 

Moving from supervised learning to making independent clinical decisions and adapting to the pace of working in the NHS felt slightly daunting initially, but it helped me grow both professionally and personally. 

This experience taught me the importance of asking questions when required , reflecting as a practitioner and recognising that learning doesn't stop after graduation. I have developed greater resilience, adaptability and confidence in my clinical abilities, while also appreciating the value of working within a supportive multidisciplinary team. Looking back, that transition has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career so far and has helped shape the healthcare professional I am today. 

If you could give future grads one piece of advice, what would it be? 

Take every chance to get involved during placements, learn from the professionals around you, and build relationships with your colleagues. The skills and confidence you gain through these experiences will prepare you more than you realise. You will carry these experiences with you into your career. Do not forget that everyone starts somewhere.

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