Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dynamic, experienced, and forward-thinking nurse to lead and enhance the Ophthalmology Acute Eye Service at Epsom and St Helier NHS Trust. This pivotal role offers the chance to contribute to the strategic and operational development of a busy and diverse multi-site service based at St Helier Hospital. The Ophthalmology department includes high-volume outpatient clinics, orthoptic services, pre-operative assessment, laser treatments, and dedicated ophthalmology operating theatres. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with the Senior Nursing Team, Service Managers, Orthoptic Lead, Ophthalmology Consultants, and the wider multidisciplinary team. Their primary focus will be to ensure consistent, high-quality patient care and to support and develop the nursing workforce to uphold and exceed standards of care and patient experience.
Main duties of the job
Senior Staff Nurse for the Acute Eye Service AES) is a pivotal leadership role responsible for the day-to-day management and clinical delivery of urgent and emergency Ophthalmic care. The postholder will lead a team of nurses, technicians, and support staff, working collaboratively with ophthalmologists, optometrists, and allied health professionals to provide a high-quality, patient-centred service. A key function of this role is to independently assess, triage, and manage patients presenting to the AES with a wide range of acute eye conditions, within their scope of practice. This role is essential in ensuring the timely and effective delivery of emergency ophthalmic care, promoting safety, efficiency, and a positive patient experience
Working for our organisation
St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group cares for a population of four million people in South West London and North East Surrey. Our sites include St George’s Hospital, one of 11 major trauma centres in the UK and the largest healthcare provider and major teaching hospital in the area; St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children; and Epsom Hospital, home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC).
After years of collaboration, our two Trusts became a hospitals group in 2021. While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education, and training of our 17,000-strong workforce.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the attached supporting document which contains more information about the Senior Staff Nurse for the Acute Eye Service role at Epsom and St Helier.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Registered General Nurse
2. Evidence of CPD in Ophthalmology or acute eye service
3. Post Graduate Qualification in Ophthalmology
Experience
Essential criteria
4. Extensive registration experience
5. Previous experience in Ophthalmology
Knowledge
Essential criteria
6. Strong knowledge of Ophthalmic Anatomy, conditions, and treatment Competent in slit lamp examination, visual acuity and IOP measurement
Skills
Essential criteria
7. Good verbal and written skills
8. Interpersonal & communication skills. Willingness to develop own practice
management
Essential criteria
9. Understanding line management requirements.
Your application: Please ensure that you have read the job description and person specification and that your supporting statement reflects these, as your application will be assessed and scored against these criteria.
References: You will be required to provide 3 years of employment/educational history. We do not accept references from personal email addresses such as Hotmail, Gmail etc. therefore please ensure you are providing professional working email addresses within your application form. If you are unable to provide professional email addresses and are invited to an interview, please ensure you advise the interviewers of this - otherwise, this may delay your pre-employment checks.
Closing date: In order to streamline recruitment within our Trust, we reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once we have received a sufficient number of applications.
Shortlisting: You will only be contacted via e-mail/SMS by the SWL Recruitment Hub if you are successfully shortlisted for this post. Please ensure that you check your Trac registered e-mail regularly.
DBS: We are committed to safeguarding children and adults who are at risk of abuse. As such, if this post will have access to children or vulnerable adults, you will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. However, all employees have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their duties and for ensuring that they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.
______________________________________________________ Disability Advice Line: SWL Recruitment Hub is committed to promoting equity and equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities. We believe that greater diversity and inclusion will lead to an even more positive impact on the people we serve. For support with job opportunities and reasonable adjustments contact our Confidential Disability Advice Line at: Telephone: 02082963786 Text: 07501066267 Email: @. Our confidential answering service is available after 5pm. ______________________________________________________
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
Namelisa BakerJob titleMatron for Ophthalmology and SACUEmail addressTelephone number07584203191