Ophthalmology Staff Nurse

Overview

We have three main hospitals providing acute services to around 330,000 local residents. The organisation also provides specialist tertiary care for cardiac and haematology services, delivers community health services to over 445,000 residents including those in North Lancashire and hosts the National Artificial Eye Service across England. Plus, we provide urgent and emergency care services to an estimated 18 million people who visit the seaside resort each year.

We employ over 7000 people from 68 different countries.

We welcome and encourage application from anyone with protected characteristics, as well as supporting reservists and Veterans who are looking for a rewarding and challenging career within the NHS.

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals encourages flexible working in all our roles to support staff in maintaining healthy home‑life balance. Working patterns such as: part time working, self‑rostering, compressed hours, annualised hours, term time, reverse term time and flexitime working can be explored.

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 fluorescein angiogram. There will be a requirement to continually adapt with the service as we move towards 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

Due to restructuring within the unit in an attempt to grow our expanding service we require a passionate and positive individual who has pride in their work. The ideal candidate would receive full on‑the‑job training in a supportive environment with a team that values you.

We also offer:

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

• 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.
• A2.1 Report and document accidents, incidents and losses.
• 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.
• A4.1 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".
• A5.1 Highlight areas for improvement and suggest changes to Matron/Ward Manager.
• 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.
• C1.1 Be the patients' advocate; promote, safeguard and support safety for the patient and family.
• C1.2 Participate in in‑service training as required ensuring junior staff keep up to date.
• C2…