Job overview
Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust recognises the Band 5 Ophthalmology Staff Nurse as a key contributor to delivering safe, effective, and compassionate care to our patients. This role is central to the success of our ophthalmology services and offers an exciting opportunity for a nurse who is passionate about developing their skills and knowledge in ophthalmology.
Based at Winchester Hospital, the successful candidate will join a dynamic and supportive multidisciplinary team. Responsibilities will include the admission and discharge of patients undergoing ophthalmic procedures, pre-operative assessments for surgery under local anaesthetic, and conducting diagnostic tests such as biometry, focimetry, visual fields, visual acuity, and OCT. The post holder will also support specialist clinics, including minor operations and intravitreal injection clinics.
Working closely with the consultant team, the post holder will contribute to the continuous improvement of patient care along the ophthalmology pathway, ensuring alignment with evidence-based standards and Trust policies. A commitment to high-quality care and acting as a patient advocate are essential aspects of this role.
Main duties of the job
To work as a Nurse/Non-Medical Practitioner in Ophthalmic Services, delivering high-quality care and supporting multidisciplinary clinical practice. The role includes patient pre-assessment, monitoring, discharge planning, and ensuring smooth transitions through treatment and follow-up. Responsibilities include supporting clinics such as pre-assessment, intravitreal injections, post-op reviews, minor ops, and virtual clinics. The post holder maintains high professional standards, ensuring patient safety, experience, and compliance with CQC and contractual requirements. Duties also include stock management, supporting cataract pathways, triaging emergency calls via the Emergency Phone, and contributing to audits for quality assurance. The role involves inspiring and motivating the team, safeguarding patient needs, and adhering to NMC standards. Practitioners are expected to recognise their limitations, seek support when needed, and contribute to streamlining ophthalmic pathways. Valuing team contributions and promoting equal opportunities are essential. The post holder will develop specialist knowledge and undertake procedures within their scope of practice, including medicine administration under PGDs. Collaboration with medical staff to enhance service delivery is also a key aspect of the role.
Working for our organisation
Our vision is to provide outstanding care for every patient. Patient care is at the heart of what we do at our three sites: Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester and Andover War Memorial Hospital. Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides medical and surgical services to a population of approximately 600,000 people across Hampshire and parts of West Berkshire.
Our cultural ambition is to have a culture that places people at the heart of all we do, where we all belong, and where learning, improvement and excellence thrive.
We provide specialist services to people across the UK and internationally. We are one of only two centres in the UK treating pseudomyxoma peritonei (a rare form of abdominal cancer) and we are leaders in the field of tertiary liver cancer and colorectal cancer.
The trust employs more than 9,000 staff and has a turnover of over £500 million a year. As a Foundation Trust, we are directly accountable to our members through the governors. The Council of Governors represent the interests of their constituencies and influence the future plans of the Foundation Trust.
Tackling Climate Change: Hampshire Hospitals aims to embed sustainability and net zero carbon principles into the delivery of care across all its services. To find out more, search or .
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Further information can be found in the attached application pack.
If you think this is the post for you, we encourage you to contact us to arrange a visit to the department and to discuss your relevant skills or learning needs.
Person specification
TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS
Essential criteria
1. Degree or equivalent experience
2. Current registration with NMC
3. Ability to work in a multi- professional team
Desirable criteria
4. Ability to work in a multi- professional team
EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE
Essential criteria
5. Well-developed interpersonal skills
6. Healthcare experience of delivering care to patients
7. Evidence of CPD
Desirable criteria
8. Experience in admission and discharge theatre patients
9. Experience in pre-assessment
SKILLS AND ABILITY
Essential criteria
10. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills both written and verbal
11. Ability to use a range of IT systems
12. Ability to promote and uphold research-based standards
13. High levels of manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination
14. Ability to work to tight deadlines and stay calm under pressure
15. Attention to detail, ensuring tests and notes are completed excellently every time
16. Self-motivated with ability to work in a team as well as own initiative
Desirable criteria
17. Biometry, A-scan and pre-assessment of ophthalmic patient experience
18. Experience in diagnostic ophthalmology testing (VA, VF, OCT, etc)
19. Experience in supporting clinics such as minor op, injection clinics or equivalent
OTHER SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
Essential criteria
20. Approachable demeanour
21. Commitment to high quality care
22. Flexible attitude
23. Proven reliability