Senior Staff Nurse - Ophthalmology Department

Job overview

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Ophthalmology Nurse to join our dedicated team based across our South Sites locations, including Orpington Hospital and Queen Mary Hospital.

This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled practitioner to contribute to the delivery of high-quality, patient-centred care within a busy and evolving ophthalmology service. The successful candidate will play a key role in delivering intravitreal injection clinics, supporting Pre-Operative Assessment (POA) services, and working within Rapid Access and emergency ophthalmology pathways to ensure safe, effective, and compassionate care for our patients.

As a senior member of the team, you will lead a team and support the day-to-day coordination of clinical services, provide leadership and guidance to colleagues, and contribute to maintaining high standards of clinical practice.

Flexibility is essential, as the post holder will be required to work across both sites and support a range of planned and unplanned ophthalmology clinics in line with service demands.

We are looking for an individual who demonstrates specialist ophthalmic knowledge and skills, strong clinical leadership, excellent communication and problem-solving abilities, and a commitment to continuous professional development, evidence-based practice, and service improvement. Experience in delivering intravitreal injections is desirable; however, training and competency development will be supported for the right candidate.

Main duties of the job

• Deliver intravitreal injection sessions independently to a high clinical standard.
• Support service activity, including pre-operative assessment (POA) and emergency ophthalmology pathways.
• Coordinate and manage the clinical area when required, ensuring safe and effective patient flow.
• Support the multidisciplinary team, promoting effective communication, teamwork, and professional development.
• Provide clinical supervision, mentorship, and support to junior nurses, students, and ophthalmic technicians.
• Contribute to service development, quality improvement, and patient experience initiatives.
• Ensure patient safety, dignity and safe practice through adherence to Trust policies, your own practice, clinical guidelines, governance requirements, and infection prevention and control standards.
• Act as a role model for compassionate, inclusive, and patient-focused care.
• Motivate colleagues and support continuous service improvement.
• Be responsible for the safe custody, checking, and administration of medicines in accordance with Trust policy.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Practice

• To adhere to the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and adhere to this at all times.
• To demonstrate clinical expertise in the care of any patients receiving treatment in the ward/ department.
• To assess, plan, implement and evaluate the needs of patients on the Ward Onan ongoing basis, co-ordinating the care given by all members of the clinical team.
• To accurately assimilate and interpret clinical information about the patients’ condition, promptly report changes and instigate remedial action as appropriate.
• To act as a resource person to others, providing accurate information, advice and support to the multidisciplinary team, patients and their relatives.
• To ensure that accurate records are maintained reflecting both changes in the patient’s condition and the treatment delivered.
• To ensure that patients and their relatives are updated regularly with accurate information and ensure that this is presented in a way that they understand.
• To ensure that Clinical Guidelines are implemented and to be actively involved in auditing practice in conjunction with Line Manager and practice development staff.
• To ensure that practice is evidence based and with support assist in the development of policies and protocols within the clinical area.
• To uphold high standards of nursing care, according to existing policies and standards.
• To support the Ward Managers and Modern Matron in processes of continuous quality improvement, formally evaluating standards of care and assisting in the implementation of changes in the light of such findings.
• To contribute to the health education of patients and their families, ensuring that all patients receive appropriate advice and support to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
• To actively support the implementation of the Trust nursing strategy and uphold the ethos of the local philosophy.