BHSCT Trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner Band 7
Branch: Belfast HSCT
Location: Belfast Health & Social Care Trust
Salary: Band 7 (£47,810 - £54,710)
Contract Type: Permanent
Opening date: 10/11/26
Closes: Tue, 24 November 2026 @ 4:30 PM
Interview Dates: to be confirmed
Notes: We accept online applications only. A waiting list may be created for similar posts that may arise while the waiting list is live, this may include temporary or part-time posts. This will be managed in line with the updated HSC waiting list principles effective from 1 April 2026.

Where a part-time waiting list is required, one part-time waiting list will be created regardless of any specific hours advertised, this waiting list will cover all future vacancies where part-time posts arise. A part-time post is defined as any post that has less than 37.5 hours per week. Please remember to save or print a copy of the job description before submitting your application, as it will not be accessible afterwards.

Flexible Working
We welcome flexible working requests from day one. All HSC organisations offer a range of flexible working options. The options available for this post will depend on the requirements of the role. Find out more about flexible working options on our website.

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Job Description
POST: 0.64 WTE Trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner (tACP) In Regional Paediatric Ophthalmology
LOCATION: Belfast Health & Social Care Trust
CONTRACT: Permanent
BAND: Band 7 (Uplift to Band 8a once Ophthalmology Advanced Clinical Practice (Paediatrics) MMedSci and independent prescribing course passed)
REPORTS TO: Paediatric Ophthalmology Assistant Service Manager
RESPONSIBLE TO: Ophthalmology Services Manager, BHSCT.

Job Summary / Main Purpose
The trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner will develop generic and specialist knowledge and skills in Paediatric Ophthalmology to provide healthcare autonomously and within a multi-disciplinary team with a focus on Paediatric Ophthalmology through an established ACP training pathway.

The post holder will be a qualified Orthoptist or Optometrist with experience in working within their specialty or an equivalent setting. They will have excellent communication skills and be able to liaise with patients and their families in planning their healthcare needs. They will be expected to provide evidence of their ongoing continuing professional development.

Whilst in training, the tACP will undertake the MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice – Paediatric Ophthalmology. As well as the academic pathway the tACP will follow the three year consultant-supported ACP training program mapped against established national and regional competencies. The tACP will gain the skills and knowledge under direct consultant supervision from the Consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist to undertake clinical assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients with undiagnosed and undifferentiated conditions.

The tACP will develop advanced skills in clinical decision making, critical thinking, and clinical management skills based upon evidence based practice within their agreed level of specialty competencies. In addition to this the tACP will develop skills in the referral of patients to relevant specialities for any necessary inpatient or outpatient investigations as well as facilitating safe patient discharge.

Ophthalmology Advanced Clinical Practice (Paediatrics) MMedSci and independent prescribing course will be accommodated within the 0.65 WTE time.

At the end of an agreed period of training and if all requirements are met the trainee ACP will advance to an Advanced Clinical Practitioner.

The role will encompass the skills of history taking, interpretation of documentation from supporting orthoptists and optometrists, slit lamp examination, intra ocular pressure assessment, indirect fundal examination, ophthalmic image interpretation, diagnosis, treatment planning and administration of paediatric ophthalmology care.

The post-holder will manage their own independent caseload and will monitor low risk patients with an established diagnosis to a clearly defined protocol. This may involve face to face, virtual or imaging clinic modalities.

The post-holder will work across the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and in paediatric ophthalmology outreach services across Northern Ireland.

The post holder will work in partnership with the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) to implement and improve the patient pathway and will be expected to develop new skills to further enhance the quality of the service delivered.

The post-holder will also undertake fundal imaging, electrophysiology and refraction of paediatric patients in the theatre environment.

The post-holder will also undertake clinical assessments and fundal imaging in other settings such as paediatric inpatient wards or neonatal units.

Main Duties / Responsibilities
Safe and Effective Practice

• To undertake a defined period of training and supervised practice which will be defined by the individual's learning needs and progression through a clearly defined competency-based training framework
• To deliver and participate in the compassionate clinical care of patients attending the paediatric ophthalmic department from premature babies to transition to adult clinics including those with complex needs and learning disability.
• Provide an advanced and comprehensive health assessment, formulate and deliver a treatment plan, according to local pathways, national guidelines and clinical evidence
• Take direct responsibility for the management of patients within own caseload
• To assess, examine, and treat patients appropriately, resulting in the safe management and appropriate referral or discharge of patients
• To liaise with paediatric ophthalmologists, nursing, orthoptics, optometry, eye clinic liaison, research and administration staff within the department.
• To undertake advanced clinical skills according to agreed protocols and service need.
• To interpret diagnostic imaging results and initiate appropriate patient management
• Accurately record all practitioner-led activities; including the timely recording of patient assessment, diagnosis and treatment interventions on electronic records and medical notes consistent with legislation, policy and procedures
• To deliver practitioner-led services in a person-centred manner involving other members of the multi-disciplinary team as necessary
• Regularly carry out clinical audit of practitioner-led services to ensure a high standard of quality and safety as well as high levels of patient satisfaction, taking remedial action as necessary
• Play a key role in line with the principles and models for HSC in line with the Bengoa Report and Health and Wellbeing, 2026 Delivering Together. Promote and implement clinical practice utilising guidance provided by National Service frameworks; NICE, DoH guidelines to ensure high quality evidence based best practice
• Maintain patient and practice confidentiality at all times

Education, Research and Practice Development

• Demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development and reflective practice
• Ensures staff are aware of and work in line with Trust policies
• Participates in, supports and encourages research and evidence based practice for the enhancement of patient care
• Contributes to the development of a learning culture within the paediatric ophthalmology service, encouraging all staff to participate in lifelong learning initiatives
• Ensures orientation and induction programmes are in place for new members of staff.

Leadership and Management

• Develops a participative management approach within the paediatric Ophthalmology team.
• Act as a role model and clinical expert in the delivery of practitioner-led services by engaging in policy and operating procedure development, prioritising work and managing own work load to maintain and promote evidence based quality service
• Promote and develop effective communication across the multi-disciplinary team
• Participates in recruitment and selection of staff.
• Observes any signs of ill health or stress factors in staff assigned to the area and reports as appropriate to the services manager.
• Ensures effective and efficient use of resources.
• Demonstrates effective decision making that is patient centred and consistent with Trust policies.
• To ensure that complaints are managed in accordance with Trust procedures and HSC guidance and are underpinned by transparency and a culture of continuous improvement
• To support the Ophthalmology Services Manager with the implementation of quality initiatives such as Investors in People and Charter Standard
• To contribute to the Directorate's overall governance processes to ensure the development of an integrated governance framework that assures safe and effective care for patients and clients and complies with public sector values and codes of conduct, operations and accountability
• To promote innovation and change to underpin the reform and modernisation of services to patients and their carers
• To support the Ophthalmology Services Manager with service planning and development initiatives. This will include liaising closely with senior planning/performance staff in order to implement the objectives of the Trust's Delivery Plan and local commissioning priorities

Delivery of Organisational Objectives

• To ensure that the needs of patients and their carers are at the core of how the Trust delivers its service and are in accordance with DHSSPS Quality Standards and relevant professional standards and guidelines
• Work closely with senior managers and multi-disciplinary team to assist in the auditing of clinical standards of care within ophthalmology to ensure patients receive a high standard of clinical care
• Take an active role in quality and service improvement in all areas of ophthalmology services and monitors and maintains all quality systems and processes within own work area
• Assist senior managers in proposing and implementing services improvements across ophthalmology including the development of protocols, patient care pathways and training opportunities for all staff involved in the delivery of ophthalmology services
• Will establish and maintain links with a broad range of key stakeholders both internal and external to the Trust in both primary and secondary care, commissioning and statutory and voluntary services
• Represent the service and the Trust at professional meetings as requested, and feeding back information appropriately
• Actively participate in Trust groups/committees as necessary

Information Management

• To ensure the effective implementation of all Trust information management policies and procedures in each facility/team
• To ensure systems and procedures for the management and storage of information in each facility/team meet internal and external reporting requirements.

General Responsibilities
Employees of the Trust are required to promote and support the mission and vision of the service for which they are responsible and:

• At all times provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner.
• Demonstrate their commitment by their regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them.
• Comply with the Trust's Smoke Free Policy.
• Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with the Health and Safety Policies and Statutory Regulations.
• Adhere to Equality and Good Relations duties throughout the course of their employment.
• Ensure the ongoing confidence of the public in-service provision.
• Maintain high standards of personal accountability.
• Comply with the HPSS Code of Conduct.

Information Governance
All employees of Belfast Health & Social Care Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, including patient/client, corporate and administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including e-mails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant and to comply with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust policies on Information Governance including for example the ICT Security Policy, Data Protection Policy and Records Management Policy and to seek advice if in doubt.

For further information on how we use your personal data within HR, please refer to the Privacy Notice available on the HUB or Your HR

Environmental Cleaning Strategy
The Trusts Environmental Cleaning Strategy recognizes the key principle that "Cleanliness matters is everyone's responsibility, not just the cleaners" Whilst there are staff employed who are responsible for cleaning services, all Trust staff have a responsibility to ensure a clean, comfortable, safe environment for patients, clients, residents, visitors, staff and members of the general public.

Infection Prevention and Control
The Belfast Trust is committed to reducing Healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) and all staff have a part to play in making this happen. Staff must comply with all policies in relation to Infection Prevention and Control and with ongoing reduction strategies. Standard Infection Prevention and Control Precautions must be used at all times to ensure the safety of patients and staff.
This includes:-

• Cleaning hands either with soap and water or a hand sanitiser at the appropriate times (WHO '5 moments');
• Using the correct '7 step' hand hygiene technique;
• Being 'bare below the elbows' when in a clinical environment;
• Following Trust policies and the Regional Infection Control Manual (found on intranet);
• Wearing the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE);
• Ensuring correct handling and disposal of waste (including sharps) and laundry;
• Ensuring all medical devices (equipment) are decontaminated appropriately i.e. cleaned, disinfected and/or sterilised;
• Ensuring compliance with High Impact Interventions.

Personal Public Involvement
Staff members are expected to involve patients, clients, carers and the wider community where relevant, in developing, planning and delivering our services in a meaningful and effective way, as part of the Trust's ongoing commitment to Personal Public Involvement (PPI).

Please use the link below to access the PPI standards leaflet for further information.

Clause: This job description is not meant to be definitive and may be amended to meet the changing needs of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.

Personnel Specification
Job Title / Band: Trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner (tACP) In Regional Paediatric Ophthalmology
Dept / Directorate: Ophthalmology/Surgery and Specialist Services
Essential criteria:

• Minimum 2:1 undergraduate optometry or orthoptics university degree qualification
• 3 years training and experience in paediatric ophthalmology in own profession
• Must be willing to undertake and successfully complete Ophthalmology Advanced Clinical Practice (Paediatrics) MMedSci, a part-time 3-year accredited remote learning course run by the University of Sheffield
• Must be willing to undertake an independent prescribing course or obtain exemptions (orthoptist) if not already achieved
• Good inter-personal and communication skills
• Proficiency in Windows based software with good keyboard skills
• Evidence of ability to work well within a team and independently
• Hold a current full driving licence, valid for use in the UK, and have access to a car on appointment

Desirable criteria:

• Experience in ophthalmic image interpretation
• Independent prescribing
• Experience in using slit lamp, indirect ophthalmoscopy, and IOP measurement
• Experience in Paediatric Refraction
• Able to support or undertake research and audit

HSC Values
Whilst employees will be expected to portray all the values, particular attention is drawn to the following values for this role.

If successful you will be required to produce documentary evidence that you are legally entitled to live and work in the United Kingdom. Where a post involves working in regulated activity with vulnerable groups, post holders will be required to register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority.