We believe that Trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner posts should be AfC band 7, progressing to 8a and above (dependent on the scope of practice), upon completion of a full Master’s degree.
Lack of consistency with regard to AfC posts presents risks to the Orthoptic profession and employing NHS Trusts. Should ACP workload become absorbed into a band 7 role, core Orthoptic role banding could be driven down, destabilising professional recognition. Organisations who invest in upskilling tACPs, risk losing their employee to a higher banded role offered by another Trust, upon qualification.
