Band 8a - Advanced Care Practitioner - Ophthalmology

Band 8a - Advanced Care Practitioner - Ophthalmology

The closing date is 15 February 2026.

An exciting opportunity has become available at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospital NHS Trust to join our team as an ACP for Ophthalmology.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Ophthalmology ACP to lead and develop Ophthalmology services.

The successful candidate will work closely with medical and nursing colleagues to provide expert nursing care for patients.

This role will deliver a combination of rostered and supernumerary clinical activity to support urgent eye provision.

This is a full-time job, working Monday to Friday.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will provide expert Ophthalmology care for all Ophthalmic pathways. This includes managing your own clinic profile within designated nurse-lead clinics, carrying out face to face clinics in the emergency eye pathway and triage. This role requires the postholder to function as an independent practitioner using advanced ophthalmic skills.

About us

With a new hospital planned for Watford, work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, this is an exciting time to join us. We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are a priority, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others. We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance. If you have a disability or long-term health condition and require support or guidance please If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form. We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Job responsibilities

The role requires a high level of autonomy, including the management of nurse led clinics, delivery of complex specialist procedures and clinical decision making. The post holder is expected to undertake advanced leadership, education, service development and governance responsibilities, which are essential to safe and effective service delivery and align with Trust strategic objectives.

As a visible and proactive leader, the post holder will champion continuous improvement in quality, safety and patient experience in line with Trust values.

Person Specification Education and qualifications

• Current and relevant NMC registration.
• First level registered nurse.
• Teaching and assessing qualification
• Post graduate qualification in Ophthalmology or Optometrist.
• Non -Medical Prescriber Course
• Evidence of continuous professional development.
• Management training.
• Evidence of master's level study

Knowledge

• Clinical practice and demonstrable knowledge of developments in nursing policy and practice.
• Good understanding of risk and clinical governance.
• The NHS plan and delivering Making a Difference.
• The importance of successful partnership working.
• Lifelong learning, professional education and training.
• Workforce planning, recruitment and Retention.
• Ability to operationalise strategies.

Experience

• Broad senior clinical and managerial experience relevant to the post.
• Success in working collaboratively across professions and services.
• Demonstrable success in managing Change.
• Experience with the introduction of evidence-based practice.
• Project management.
• Experience obtained in more than one clinical setting.
• Research experience.

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.

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust