Advanced Clinical Practitioner - Level 7

Orthoptists

Advanced Clinical Practitioners are experienced clinicians who demonstrate expertise in their scope of practice. Advanced Clinical Practitioners manage defined episodes of clinical care independently, from beginning to end, providing care and treatment from the time an individual first presents through to the end of the episode, which may include admission, referral or discharge or care at home. They carry out their full range of duties in relation to individuals’ physical and mental healthcare and in acute, primary, urgent and emergency settings (including hospitals, general practice, individuals’ homes, schools and prisons, and in the public, independent, private and charity sectors). They combine expert clinical skills with research, education and clinical leadership within their scope of practice. Advanced Clinical Practitioners work innovatively on a one to one basis with individuals as well as part of a wider team. They work as part of the wider health and social care team and across traditional professional boundaries in health and social care.

Skills and knowledge

To become an Advanced Clinical Practitioner in Orthoptics you will need:

  • specialist knowledge of medicine and how the human body works
  • the ability to work well with others
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • to enjoy working with other people
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
  • good attention to detail

Qualifications

You need to be a registered and practicing Orthoptist with a master’s degree in Orthoptics (MSc).

Career progression

As an Advanced Clinical Practitioner you could move into teaching and research.