Advanced Orthoptist - Stroke Lead

Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust; Kingston upon Thames; Hybrid; GBP 56,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site staff nursery

Wellbeing programme & services

Research and quality improvement

Job summary

Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced Band 7 Orthoptist to lead the Orthoptic Stroke Service within the Royal Eye Unit at Kingston Hospital. The role combines clinical leadership, education, and service development across inpatient and outpatient settings.

You will work with a multidisciplinary team, undertake advanced assessments, and deputise for the Head Orthoptist when required. A strong commitment to teaching and quality improvement is essential.

Qualifications

• Degree/Diploma of the British and Irish Orthoptic Society (BIOS)
• State registration with the HCPC
• Competencies in Stroke (STARS)
• Member of the British and Irish Orthoptic Society

Responsibilities

• Lead the Orthoptic Stroke Service across inpatient and outpatient settings.
• Assess and diagnose orthoptic cases per BIOS guidelines.
• Support consultants with thorough pre/post operative assessments.
• Mentor junior staff and clinical students.
• Contribute to teaching, governance and service development.

Skills

Organisation & time mgmt

Communication skills

Enthusiastic & flexible

Empathy & patient care

Work under pressure

Teaching involvement

Teamwork & initiative

Education

BIOS degree/diploma

HCPC registration

Stroke STARS competencies

BIOS membership

Job description

Go back Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust

Advanced Orthoptist - Stroke Lead

The closing date is 30 September 2026

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.

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

• 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

Experience

• 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

Skills

• 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.

Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust

£55,524 to £62,652 a yearPro rata, pa, incl. HCAS