Advanced Clinical Practitioner Orthoptist

Advanced Clinical Practitioner Orthoptist Band 8a Main area Orthoptist / Optometrist Grade Band 8a Contract Fixed term: 12 months (Covering career break) Hours Full time Part time Job share Compressed hours 37.5 hours per week Job ref 213-DivisionC- -A Employer King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site King's College Hospital Town London Salary £64,156 - £71,148 Per annum Including High Cost Area Salary period Yearly Closing 24/12/ :59 King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1.8 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across 5 main sites in South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local hospital services across its different sites, and specialist services from King’s College Hospital (KCH) sites at Denmark Hill in Camberwell and at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) site in the London Borough of Bromley. We encourage all our staff to have a healthy work/life balance. In doing so, you can apply for flexible working from the beginning of your employment. We offer a range of options which are designed to suit different circumstances and priorities in line with service requirements. One of our current ACPs will be going on a 12 month career break from January 2026. Thus, we are interested in attracting current ACPs, or orthoptists and optometrists who are dedicated and enthusiastic with equivalent experience in the following sub-specialities: neuro-ophthalmology medical retina emergency We would accept applications from those with experience of other ophthalmology specialities. The successful applicant will join a friendly and dynamic team of 8 other ACPs, 10 orthoptists, and 7 optometrists in our busy ophthalmology clinics. We our proud to support and serve a vibrant and socially diverse community across South East London. The post is based at Denmark Hill, but cross site working can be considered. It will be a 12 month fixed term contract, starting January 2026. We are flexible employers and we can consider job share, extended hours and compressed days. Main duties of the job To be responsible for overseeing care pathways within their area of subspecialism. The post holder will work collaboratively within our ACP team, delivering an advanced level of clinical practice within ophthalmology. Working with all members of the multidisciplinary team and will play an integral role in the operational/strategic development of the service. Working with local and nationally agreed frameworks. They will exercise independent judgement to assess, investigate, diagnose, plan, implement and evaluate the clinical care and management of patients, including the acute and emergency provision. The post holder will act as a role model, delivering advanced practice and promoting clinical effectiveness in care. They will promote and facilitate evidence based practice and clinical audit and research within the Trust. They will lead change by identifying areas of good practice and areas needing improvement, for the benefit of patients by supporting and upholding excellent clinical governance frameworks including preparation for Care Quality Commission inspection. Working for our organisation The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King’s to another level. We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people. King’s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone’s contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust’s carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible. Detailed job description and main responsibilities Clinical Responsibilities To be involved in highly specialised clinics, which may include: • Consultant-led clinics within subspecialties, e.g. glaucoma, medical retina, neuro-ophthalmology, uveitis, paediatrics • Emergency care, including orbital trauma and neuro-ophthalmology • Virtual review • Interventions, e.g. IVT, Botox, laser Work autonomously as an advanced practitioner within acute medicine, managing a caseload of patients and delivering individualised, direct patient care. Demonstrate advanced practice competency skills and act as an expert clinician, assessing and interpreting specialist acute patient conditions, taking appropriate action, and recognising and managing emergency situations. Receive referrals via a variety of sources, including general practice and the Emergency Department. Manage own caseload and clinical priorities according to agreed protocols and working practices. Plan, manage and complete episodes of care, working in partnership with others and delegating or referring as appropriate to optimise health outcomes and resource use, as well as providing direct support to patients. Work towards safe and timely discharge and/or transfer of care of patients from or between hospitals, services, and healthcare professionals, ensuring barriers to discharge or transfer are identified and addressed appropriately. Within scope of practice and clinical competence, request and/or undertake diagnostic procedures and clinical investigations related to plans of care. Dispense/prescribe medication according to independent prescribing regulations, patient group directives, or medical exemptions when appropriate. Work within Trust policy for Medicines Management. Ensure care delivered is based on current evidence, best practice, and validated research where available. Use highly developed communication skills to communicate effectively with colleagues, patients, and their relatives/carers; make reports and liaise as required with medical staff and other members of the multidisciplinary team, both verbally and in writing. Lead in the development and updating of referral guidelines, policies, and pathways for the subspecialty. Use professional judgement to act as an advocate for patients, ensuring a patient‑focused approach to care delivery. Support and enable patients and carers to make informed decisions relating to their treatment and management. Escalate any concerns via nursing/professional structures as required. Ensure high standards of documentation are maintained, with accurate, complete, and up-to-date information regarding patient care kept in accordance with Trust standards. Report and raise concerns related to safeguarding, accessing advice and support as required. Be conversant with Trust policies for safeguarding, including the assessment of Mental Capacity, consideration of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), and application of the principles of Prevent (counter‑terrorism awareness). Undertake training to develop further advanced clinical practice skills required by the service to provide a high standard of patient care. Provide mentorship, coaching, supervision, and shadowing opportunities to individuals to support their development. Monitor the quality and standard of care provided by all members of the team and staff in clinical areas, identifying any skills or training gaps and escalating to the appropriate senior clinician. Be accountable for and ensure own competence in practice. Person specification Qualifications Degree/ Diploma in Orthoptics / Optometry MSC in advanced clinical practice or equivalent CATs HCPC / GOC registered Relevant teaching qualification Knowledge and Experience Experience of extended scope of practice (e.g. neuro-ophthalmology, retina, emergency, uveitis, paediatrics, adult ocular motility). Evidence of CPD and practical application of new skills to the workplace Clinical experience at a senior level in speciality area Personality & Attributes Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Polite, tolerant, patient, understanding, caring, friendly, with a good manner and approachable Ability to meet deadlines. Flexible working practices Ability to work under pressure, prioritise and multitask in an unpredictable working environment Effective and supportive team‑working Knowledge of Microsoft office IMPORTANT Check your email account regularly as this is how we will communicate with you If you delete the job from any of your accounts, you may be prevented from accessing further communications To enquire about your application or inform us of any changes in your circumstances, please contact the named person on this advert Please provide email addresses for referees where possible Please review the documentation on our recruitment microsite, particularly the Trust’s criminal records checking policy All staff have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and for ensuring they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role. Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. On occasion, we might close a vacancy early due to a high number of applications being received. You are advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment. King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Annual Reports and Other Corporate Publications King's Health Partners Academic Health Science Centre Website King's College Hospital is part of King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre (AHSC), a pioneering collaboration between King's College London, and Guy's and St Thomas', King's College Hospital and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts. Employer certification / accreditation badges You must have appropriate UK professional registration. This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service. #J-18808-Ljbffr