Advanced Orthoptist - Stroke Lead

Kingston And Richmond Nhs Foundation Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 56,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced Band 7 Orthoptist to lead the Orthoptic Stroke Service at Kingston Hospital, working in a large ophthalmology department with a multidisciplinary team of clinicians.

You will contribute to service development, quality improvement, clinical audit and education, while deputising for the Head Orthoptist when required and supporting staff across inpatient and outpatient settings.

Qualifications

• Degree or Diploma of the British and Irish Orthoptic Society (BIOS) and HCPC registration.
• Post-graduate Orthoptic experience is essential.
• Experience working with stroke patients within a multidisciplinary setting.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Orthoptic Stroke Service across inpatient and outpatient settings.
• Provide autonomous assessments and contribute to the MDT in ophthalmology.
• Teach and mentor Orthoptic students and junior staff.

Skills

Stroke care

Orthoptic teaching

Team collaboration

Single-handed clinics

Education

BIOS degree or diploma

HCPC registration

Post-graduate Orthoptic experience

Clinical teaching experience

Job description

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Band 7 Orthoptist to lead the inpatient and outpatient Orthoptic Stroke Service at Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust.

The Royal Eye Unit at Kingston Hospital is a large, modern ophthalmology department providing a comprehensive range of specialist services. The department comprises 16 Consultant Ophthalmologists, an Acute Referral Clinic and a dedicated imaging team, offering a varied and rewarding caseload.

The successful candidate will join a supportive multidisciplinary team of Orthoptists, Optometrists and Consultant Ophthalmologists. You will play a key role in the delivery, development and continual improvement of the Orthoptic Stroke Service, working closely with the wider stroke multidisciplinary team across both inpatient and outpatient settings.

In addition to providing highly specialised clinical care, you will contribute to service development, quality improvement initiatives, clinical audit, teaching and training.

You will act as Clinical Tutor for Orthoptic students, supporting their clinical education and development, and will share responsibility for deputising for the Head Orthoptist when required.

Main duties of the job

• To assess, diagnose and develop treatment plans for children and adults presenting to the Orthoptic Department, in accordance with the professional standards and guidelines of the British and Irish Orthoptic Society (BIOS).
• To work autonomously while also contributing as an integral member of the multidisciplinary team.
• To support Consultant Ophthalmologists by undertaking comprehensive orthoptic assessments of patients before and after squint surgery and Botulinum Toxin treatment.
• To lead the Orthoptic Stroke Service across inpatient and outpatient settings, providing specialist expertise and supporting colleagues in the assessment and management of patients with visual difficulties following stroke.
• To support the education, training and development of undergraduate Orthoptic students in the role of Clinical Tutor, and to contribute to the teaching and development of other healthcare professionals and students.
• To act as a mentor and role model for junior members of staff, providing professional support, supervision and guidance as required.
• To contribute to service development, clinical audit, quality improvement and governance activities within the department.
• To deputise for the Head Orthoptist when required, supporting the operational leadership and management of the Orthoptic Service.
• To prioritise and triage electronic referrals to the paediatric and adult motility services, including referrals from the Acute Referral Clinic.

About us

Development and staff wellbeing

Your growth and happiness matters to us. After all, we can't expect the best from you if we don't invest in your development and nurture your wellbeing. From the moment you join us, we're committed to fostering your professional and personal development within a supportive, empowering environment. Whether you're just starting your career or looking to advance further, we provide you with the tools and opportunities you need to succeed. We actively support colleagues to take part in research, quality improvement and innovation, whatever their role or level in the organisation.

To support your wellbeing, we offer an extensive range of resources, including an on-site staff nursery at Kingston Hospital, wellbeing practitioners, wellbeing classes, dedicated staff physiotherapist, comprehensive occupational health services, 24/7 employee assistance programme, and a range of other support and activities.

We also take every opportunity to thank and recognise the work our teams do, through weekly 'shoutouts' and patient feedback, monthly and annual awards.

Wherever you work across our organisation, we look forward to welcoming you.

Details

Date posted: 16 September 2026

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 7

Salary: £55,524 to £62,652 a year Pro rata, pa, incl. HCAS

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time, Compressed hours

Reference number: 396-8190014-DE-GV

Job locations: Kingston Hospital Galsworthy Road Kingston upon Thames KT2 7QB United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

***Please see the attached supporting document/s (JD) which contains more information about the role in the job description and person specification***

NB: ensure any supporting statements align with the job description and person specification, as your application will be assessed against these criteria.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential

• Degree or Diploma of the British and Irish Orthoptic Society
• State registration with the HCPC
• Competencies in Stroke (STARS)
• Member of the British and Irish Orthoptic Society
• To have significant post graduate Orthoptic experience
• Clinical teaching experience
• Previous experience of working with stroke patients
• Experience of working in single handed clinics
• Experience of working with patients with additional needs
• Experience of working in specialist ocular motility clinics using adjustable sutures and botulinum toxin procedures, paediatric clinics and neurology clinics
• Experience in research and audit
• Experience of prioritising referrals
• Excellent organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise workload
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
• Enthusiastic, friendly and flexible approach to work
• Ability to communicate with tact, sensitivity and empathy when caring for patients with a wide range of needs, including elderly, anxious and vulnerable individuals.
• Able to work efficiently under pressure for long periods in a busy environment with interruptions
• Active involvement in teaching
• Available to work on or off site as requested by the trust during designated clinic times
• Ability to work as a team and show initiative

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.

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: Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Kingston Hospital Galsworthy Road Kingston upon Thames KT2 7QB United Kingdom

Employer's website: https://www.kingstonandrichmond.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact: Head Orthoptist Laura Copeland [e-mail] 02089346404