About this role
Job summary
We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Band 6 Orthoptist to join our highly skilled, friendly and supportive team of Orthoptists, Optometrists and Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPs).
This is an exciting opportunity for an Orthoptist who is keen to develop their clinical skills and broaden their experience within a varied and dynamic ophthalmology service. We are looking for a proactive and committed individual who enjoys learning, working collaboratively and contributing to the ongoing development of the service.
The successful candidate will have a varied job plan, with opportunities to gain experience across a broad range of specialist areas, including orthoptics, adult ocular motility, stroke, trauma and neuro-ophthalmology. The post holder will also be an integral member of our team delivering the intravitreal injection service.
Alongside clinical responsibilities, the post holder will contribute to teaching, supervision and the development of clinical practice, supporting the education and development of colleagues and learners within the service.
We offer a friendly and supportive working environment, with the chance to work as part of a multidisciplinary team committed to delivering high-quality patient care.
Main duties of the job
To ensure high quality evidence based orthoptic care to diagnose, plan, implement and monitor treatment a high standard, efficient and effective orthoptic assessments and treatments for a range of paediatric and adult patients.
To assess, treat and manage own caseload of patients as an autonomous practitioner, including the maintenance of comprehensive records.
Responsibilities will also involve working in specialist clinics including intravitreal injections, stroke, trauma.
Communicate appropriately with patients, carers and other team members as required.
To teach and develop undergraduate orthoptic students and ophthalmic colleagues.
To undertake an evidence-based projects to further the clinical practice of self and the team, and to enhance patient care.
To be an effective and collaborative team member, working reliably and flexibly being commited.
About us
The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. In June 2026, we launched our new strategy for 2026-31. Our vision is to transform healthcare, and we have agreed six strategic ambitions to help us improve care for patients, and the working lives of our staff.
Our six strategic ambitions are deliveringhigh-quality patient care; creating a great place to work; leading pioneering research, innovation and education; building strong and successful partnerships; providing timely and efficient care; and ensuring long-term financial sustainability.
We have also agreed four new organisational values - Caring, Collaborative, Inclusive, Innovative - and these underpin everything we do, and how our teams interact with the patients under our care.
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.
Job description Job responsibilities
To be involved in the following highly specialist clinics:
Orthoptic.
Paediatric.
Ocular motility, strabismus and botulinum toxin.
Neuro-ophthalmology.
To deliver extended roles:
Intra vitreal injections.
Stroke.
Trauma.
Work as an autonomous practitioner in a single-handed capacity, with support from others.
To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of own work including management of clinical risk, knowledge of indications and precautions in line with national and trust clinical guidelines, protocols and pathways where they exist.
To receive referrals, undertake assessment, conclude a diagnosis and independently plan individual treatment plans for patients (orthoptic, ophthalmic, optical and surgical) dependant on orthoptic diagnosis, using clinical reasoning and specialist skills and patient education.
To be responsible for the prioritising appropriate onward referral of patients.
To provide advice and support to patients and relatives regarding visual problems.
To assess patients pre-operatively and discuss with the ophthalmologist the need for surgical intervention, timing of surgery, risks and benefits, the type of surgery and alternative treatments.
To assess patients post-operatively and carry out the appropriate treatment.
To assist the ophthalmologist with adjustable suture strabismus surgery.
To use recognized outcome measures to evaluate the effect of interventions and ensure the treatment programmes are progressing appropriately.
With support discharge, PIFU or appropriate transfer of care for patients.
At all times to observe safe working practices and equipment procedures that comply with legislative requirements and health and safety regulations.
Dispenses medication using patient group directions or under delegation.
To be responsible for the standard of care performed by orthoptic assistants working with you.
To respect patients privacy, dignity, gender, sexuality and have due regard to patients cultural and religious beliefs.
Undertake other clinical duties as requested by the deputy head or lead of service.
Communication
To be able to persuade and motivate patients through effective communication.
To be sensitive to patients cultural identity and overcome language and other barriers to understanding (e.g. hearing or visual impairment, learning difficulties).
To provide and receive information from patients, carers and other professionals regarding a patients condition and treatment progress. This may include the sharing and receiving of complex and/or sensitive information.
To consult when necessary with appropriate senior specialist staff regarding patients with particular problems
2. Management & Administrative
Information Management
To keep comprehensive records of activity in accordance with local and national requirements, using departmental IT software systems.
To deal with telephone queries and make appropriate decisions on limited information.
Ensure all patient episodes, including coding appropriate activity is recorded.
Human Resource Management
To have an active role in effective team working, assisting and supporting other team members where appropriate.
To deputise for senior Band 7 in their absence.
To participate in the Kings College Hospital Employee Performance Assessment Programme as an appraiser and appraisee, and fulfil its requirements.
Physical Resources
To ensure that the treatment and working areas are kept safe and tidy.
To regularly calibrate and ensure perimetry and slit lamp equipment are in good working order.
Ensure faulty equipment is reported.
To deal with accidents untoward occurrences and complaints according to accepted procedure.
To ensure the safety of patients, visitors and staff and report all outpatient hazards.
Service Development
To demonstrate a knowledge of Clinical Governance and have an active role in clinical effectiveness and audit programmes in order to develop and improve services.
Identify opportunities to improve the service and to discuss them with clinical leads.
To support the delivery of the service facilitating the use of clinical governance and development of competencies.
3. Training Education and Research
To provide teaching, guidance and advice when appropriate to other staff groups.
To undertake in-service and post-graduate training to improve patient care and for professional development.
To contribute to the in-service training programmes for Optical Service staff.
To be involved in research and evaluation of practice as opportunities arise.
To prepare and present a research/audit or development project / in-depth study which contributes to service development, own personal knowledge and professional development, presenting the project to the department at the end of the rotation.
Person Specification
Education and qualifications Essential
Degree Orthoptics HCPC registration Demonstrates CPD at a post graduate level.
Desirable
Member of clinical interest group
Knowledge and experience Essential
Paeditrics Adults Running single-handed clinics.
Desirable
Neuro-ophthalmology Large teaching hospital experience
Skills and competencies Essential
Recognise boundaries of own knowledge/skill. Knows when to ask for support Aware of sub-specialty ophthalmology working. Ability to work independently or as part of a team. Ability to work under pressure in an unpredictable working environment. Flexible working practices
Desirable
Pastoral care of students.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address King's College Hospital
Denmark Hill
London
SE5 9RS
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.kch.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)