Ophthalmology Staff Nurse | Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated Band 5 Staff Nurses to join the highly skilled Ophthalmic Surgical Team. This advert is looking to recruit 3 full‑time positions (37.5 hours) and one part‑time, 30 hour vacancy, for a fixed term of 12 months. Working hours include Monday‑Friday, 8am‑7pm, over a 4‑5 day period.

The interview will be face‑to‑face at our Blackpool Hospital (no online interviews). The interview date will be communicated shortly.

The unit provides sight‑saving treatment for people across Lancashire, Cumbria and beyond using state‑of‑the‑art facilities designed with a high‑quality, patient‑focused care at the forefront. The Ophthalmic Surgical Unit is a specialised department which integrates the Medical Retina Unit, macular service, two theatres, a recovery area and an ophthalmic day‑surgery ward, offering a number of clinical settings within the unit.

The post holder will be working as a registered staff nurse within a highly specialised Ophthalmology Surgery and Clinic setting. This role involves admitting and preparing patients for ophthalmic procedures, assessing visual acuity, preparing patients for fluoroscene angiogram and continually adapting with the service as we move toward a more nurse‑led service which includes intravitreal injecting.

You would be involved in preparing patients for procedures such as:

• Retinal detachments (PPV)
• Cataract surgery
• Plastic surgery
• Biopsies
• Laser eye surgery
• Emergency and trauma surgery

The unit is restructuring in an attempt to grow our expanding service and we require a passionate and positive individual who takes pride in their work. The ideal candidate will receive full on‑the‑job training in a supportive environment with a team that values them. We also offer:

• A structured mentorship programme, supportive of individuals learning strategies and needs
• Encouragement for staff to take on projects to forward the department, where each contribution is valued

• A1. Maintain activities to meet requirements
• A1.1 Ensure all policies/protocols/standards are upheld and abide by all policies and procedures regarding implementation, monitoring, training and audit of infection prevention and control issues
• A1.2 Maintain Health and Safety for all staff, patients, visitors and members of the multidisciplinary team following the Trust’s policy.
• A1.3 The post holder must comply with all relevant policies, procedures and training on infection prevention and control.
• A1.4 Attend yearly updates for all statutory training.
• A1.5 Take charge of a clinical area unsupervised after progressing through the foundation gateway, this will be on an occasional basis. Once the post holder has gained sufficient experience and has fulfilled their competencies, they will be required to take charge of a clinical area on a regular basis.
• A2. Manage activities to meet requirements
• A2.1 Report and document accidents, incidents and losses.
• A3. Manage activities to meet customer requirements
• A3.1 Be accountable within the team for the planning, implementing and evaluation of patient care, maintaining agreed standards and ensuring patient satisfaction.
• A3.2 Arrange for the care of patients’ valuables and other property as per Trust policy.
• A4. Contribute to improvement at work
• A4.1 Take part in developments and trials of new ideas and methods within the Unit.
• A4.2 Keep abreast of clinical and nursing developments within allocated area.
• A4.3 Develop the “Scope for Professional Practice”.
• A5. Manage change in organisational activities
• A5.1 Highlight areas for improvement and suggest changes to Matron/Ward Manager.

• B1. Manage the use of physical resources
• B1.1 Prioritise clinical workload
• B1.2 Allocate clinical work according to staff ability and patient need
• B1.3 Ensure staff are trained/experienced in the job required of them.
• B1.4 Arrange for the ordering and storage of drugs.
• B1.5 Arrange for the ordering and storage of supplies/stores.
• B1.6 Ensure the effective utilisation of stores and equipment.
• B1.7 Ensure staffing shortages are addressed and are communicated to the ward manager.

• C1. Manage Yourself
• C1.1 Be the patients’ advocate; promote,…