***previous candidates need not apply***

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Band 5 with an interest in Ophthalmology to join our outpatient team, if you have an interest in Ophthalmology but no previous experience full training will be provided.

You will be given the opportunity to learn about the speciality within a safe environment and have the support of nursing colleagues, clinicians, and Consultants.

You will be involved in supporting with clinical skills and diagnostics including pre-operative clinics, Day surgery, you will be supported to develop your knowledge and clinical skills to use the various machines that are used to support diagnostics of the eye.

Please note, if you are a Student Nurse qualifying in Summer 2025, please do not apply directly to this advert. If you are interested in joining the Trust, please apply to our advert specifically for Students via Trac Jobs under 'Staff Nurse (Newly Qualified - Summer 2025)'

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be responsible for the delivery of high-quality care to a defined ophthalmic patient group either within the acute hospital or satellite clinic setting. The successful candidate will support the clinicians in carryout a wide range of tests visual field testing, recording visual acuity, taking images using the Ocular Coherence Tomographer OCT, nurse led pre- and post-operative care for patients attending for Ophthalmology day surgery and nurse led Intra Vitreal injection clinics once training and competency achieved.

The post holder will contribute to the continuing development of standards of care including developments of nursing standards and monitoring of outcomes. The post holder will be expected to continue with their own professional development.

About us

Our STAR values - Service, Teamwork, Ambition and Respect - are a golden thread running through everything we do. These values serve as a guiding principle, driving us towards our vision of delivering great joined up services to our local community. Whether at home, in the community, or within the hospital, our goal is to empower individuals to lead independent and healthier lives.

• ServiceWe will put our patients first
• TeamworkWe will work together
• Ambition We will aspire to provide the best service
• RespectWe will act with integrity

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. To be an effective practitioner with the ability to develop clinical expertise in the care of patients in the outpatient setting. To include performing visual acuity, tear osmolarity tests, syringing of lachrymal ducts, instilling medication, removal of sutures, assisting medical staff in clinic/ minor operations and performing eye dressings, performing other ophthalmic diagnostic tests. Day surgery, Pre op clinics

2. Instillation of eye drops once fully competent and have achieved the competency standard

3. Act as second checker for patients undergoing intra vitreal injections

4. Opportunity at a later stage of undertaking nurse led intra vitreal injection clinics

5. Coordinate to support the Senior nurses

6. Telephone triage

7. To assist in the orientation and support of new staff and students to the unit, working together as a team

8. Plan, deliver and evaluate compassionate nursing care to meet the patients individualized needs

Please see full Job description and personal specification attached.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• First Level Registered Nurse
• Current/live registration with the Nursing Midwifery Council
• Qualification /Experience in teaching and assessing

Desirable

• ENB 346 Ophthalmic Nursing or equivalent
• Willingness to undertake competencies to acquire the skills and knowledge to work independently
• Experience of working in an outpatient setting or Pre & post-operative care

Experience

Essential

• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Ability to document details clearly and accurately
• Ability to prioritise and organise own workload
• IT Literate
• Good interpersonal skills and can deal with difficult/sensitive situations
• Willingness to undertake training and assessment for further clinical skills

Knowledge

Essential

• Recent experience nursing patients in an acute setting or recently completed a Return To Nursing course ? Able to demonstrate effective consolidation of nursing knowledge and practice after qualification and Preceptorship ? Working within a multi-disciplinary team environment ? Experience within a range of patient/client care groups ? Evidence of continuing professional development. ? Further qualifications relevant to the role

Desirable

• Ophthalmic or Outpatient skills

Employer details

Employer name

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Great Western Hospital

Marlborough Road

Swindon

SN3 6BB

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

249-6579501