South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
Intravitreal Injector
The closing date is 01 June 2026
We are looking for a motivated Clinical Practitioner to join our Medical Retine Unit at Sunderland Eye Infirmary as a Band 6 Intravitreal Injector. This is an exciting opportunity which includes development potential from Band 5 to Band 6, supported by structured training and mentorship.
Intravitreal injections are a vital treatment in ophthalmology, delivering medication directly into the eye to manage sight‑threatening conditions such as age‑related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. These procedures help preserve vision and independence for thousands of patients every year.
You will be joining our team at an exciting time, as we prepare to move from Sunderland Eye Infirmary to the new Eye Hospital, which will be transformative for both patients and staff. The new facility will offer state‑of‑the‑art clinical environments, purpose‑built theatres, and modern diagnostic suites designed to enhance patient safety, comfort, and experience; this will support service expansion, reduce waiting times, and enable the Trust to meet growing demand for specialist ophthalmic care across the region, ensuring world‑class treatment closer to home.
Candidates will be appointed at band 5 unless already undertaking a similar role externally. An in‑house training programme and competency framework in relation to independent practice will be provided to enable progression to band 6 (typically within 3 months of starting in post).
Main duties of the job
This is a part‑time post of 30 hours per week.
If you are a Registered Nurse or Allied Health Professional with a passion for patient care and innovation, this role offers autonomy, advanced clinical skills development, and the chance to make a real difference. You’ll work in a specialist environment, supported by a dedicated team, and contribute to shaping high‑quality care for our local community.
As an Intravitreal Injector, you will lead practitioner‑led injection clinics, assess and review patients, and deliver safe, effective intravitreal injections in line with national standards. You’ll play a key role in optimising complex treatment regimes, facilitating timely treatment, and delivering a safe and sustainable service.
Your responsibilities will include:
* Performing clinical assessments and administering intravitreal injections.
* Providing expert advice and education to patients, carers, and colleagues.
* Supporting service development, clinical governance, and quality improvement.
* Acting as a patient advocate and ensuring harm‑free care.
* Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and representing the service at local and national forums.
This is a hands‑on role requiring excellent communication, advanced clinical reasoning, and a commitment to continuous learning. You’ll help deliver compassionate, evidence‑based care that transforms lives.
Job responsibilities
PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.
* Coordinate the delivery and development of the specialist service through the use of effective evidence‑based practice in line with agreed national standards for patient safety and monitoring.
* Be accountable for the planning and delivery of safe, effective and compassionate patient care in relation to dedicated pathways of care, working as an autonomous intravitreal injection practitioner.
* Continuously improve clinical care standards in line with the clinical governance framework.
* Exercise accountability as set out in the NMC/HCPC Code.
* Ensure effective communication internally and externally regarding patient care and resources.
* Provide education and training to clinical staff across the Trust.
* Provide specialist clinical advice and support to patients and clinical staff within the Trust on the management and care of patients within the specialist area.
* Provide direct access for patients, either face‑to‑face or telephone consultation.
* Represent the service nationwide.
* Ensure national and local standards/targets for the specialist area are met.
* Manage or lead practitioner‑led clinics in relation to reviewing patients and optimising complex treatment regimes, facilitating hospital discharge and preventing avoidable hospital admissions.
* Undertake research relevant to the needs of the specialist area.
* Comply with the Trust’s vision, values, and behavioural compact.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Registered Nurse or Allied Health Professional.
* Degree in nursing studies or other relevant clinical degree or evidence of currently working towards this (UK equivalent).
* Mentorship certificate/Practice Assessor training or demonstrable equivalent experience.
* Clinical skills accreditation or willingness to complete.
* Leadership and Management course.
* Qualification in specialty.
* Non‑medical prescribing or willingness to complete.
Experience
* Experience of care delivery.
* Experience of the specialist which would normally be gained through working as a Band 5.
* Experience of leading a team/supervising junior staff.
* Evidence of innovation in practice.
* Evidence of practice development.
* Experience of coordinating care for a caseload of patients.
Physical Skills
* Ability to assist patients to move as per Trust Moving and Handling Policy.
* Able to travel to access sites.
Skills and Knowledge
* Awareness of national health and social care policy.
* Knowledge of best practice in area of specialism.
* Thorough understanding of expanded roles/professional practice issues.
* Clinical teaching experience.
* Ability to provide and receive complex, sensitive or contentious information, where persuasive, motivational, negotiating, training, empathic or reassurance skills are required.
* Able to work without supervision.
* Competent in the use of IT packages.
* Evidence of competency in relation to clinical practices appropriate to the post.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
Equalities and Diversity
We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under‑represented groups.
#J-18808-Ljbffr