Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated Senior Ophthalmic Nurses to deliver high standards of care and experience for patients attending a busy Ophthalmic Outpatient Service based atSouth Sites: Orpington Hospital Eye Clinic (BR6 9JU) and Queen Mary's Hospital Eye Department (DA14 6LT). This is a fantastic opportunity for a Senior Staff Nurse with extensive ophthalmic experience to join a multi-disciplinary team assessing and caring for ophthalmic outpatients.
The successful candidate will be required to be flexible, enthusiastic, and committed to bringing the highest level of nursing care to patients in line with the Quality Agenda of the NHS and the King's strategy. You should be able to demonstrate good planning, organization, managerial and leadership skills and deliver enhance clinical practice such as intravitreal injections
The post holder will be required to work flexibly within 7-day service delivery including weekends.
Main duties of the job
o To provide expert, holistic care of a high standard to both the patients and their relatives within the King's College Hospital.
o To take direct managerial responsibility for the clinical area in the absence of or as delegated by the Ward Sister/ Charge Nurse/ Head of Department.
o To assist in the leadership and development of an identified group of nurses within the ward complement.
o To act as a clinical resource within the ward and across the Care Group as necessary.
o To act as a positive role model to junior staff members. Particular emphasis is put at Kings on the need to ensure that all staff recognise their responsibility to deliver services in a high quality, courteous, patient focused manner and to maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
o Applying specialist ophthalmic knowledge, clinical experience, and extended practice skills to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care to a defined cohort, including patients receiving intravitreal injections.
About us
The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.
We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.
King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Practice
- Adhere to the NMC Code of Professional Conduct at all times.
- Demonstrate clinical expertise in caring for patients receiving treatment within the department.
- Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient needs, coordinating care across the multidisciplinary clinical team.
- Accurately interpret clinical information, promptly report changes in patient condition, and initiate appropriate remedial actions.
- Serve as a resource to the multidisciplinary team, patients, and relatives by providing accurate information, advice, and support.
- Maintain accurate records reflecting patient condition changes and treatments delivered.
- Ensure patients and relatives are regularly updated with clear, understandable information.
- Implement Clinical Guidelines and actively participate in auditing practices with the Line Manager and practice development staff.
- Promote evidence-based practice and assist, where appropriate, in developing policies and protocols.
- Uphold high standards of nursing care according to existing policies and standards.
- Support continuous quality improvement initiatives led by the Nurse Manager and Matron, evaluating and enhancing care standards.
- Contribute to patient and family health education, providing advice and support for healthy lifestyles.
- Actively support the Trusts nursing strategy and uphold the local philosophy and ethos.
Education and Research
- Mentor junior staff, overseeing their orientation, supervision, and ongoing development alongside Line Manager and Practice Development staff.
- Act as a practice supervisor by completing competency documentation for junior staff within agreed timelines.
- Mentor students undertaking further education, ensuring a positive learning environment and clinical skills development.
- Contribute to the delivery and participation of educational activities within the Care Group.
- Promote and encourage the application of research and evidence-based practices.
- Participate in research projects conducted within the clinical area as appropriate.
Management
- Manage clinical workload effectively, prioritizing patient care appropriately.
- Contribute to the delivery of a cost-effective service, adjusting staffing to meet demand and assisting in resource management.
- Assist with ongoing departmental organization and coordination of clinical activities.
- Liaise with medical personnel and Bed Manager to optimize bed usage, facilitating timely admissions and discharges.
- Act as a team leader for a designated staff group, monitoring and documenting their clinical skill development.
- Develop skills in recruitment, retention, sickness, and performance management as guided by the Line Manager.
- Support risk management by ensuring incidents are reported and helping to identify ways to prevent errors and accidents.
- Contribute to service development initiatives and support staff adaptation to change.
- Promote customer care, assist in resolving informal complaints, and support investigations of formal complaints.
- Monitor clinical stores and equipment stock levels, addressing any shortages appropriately.
- Maintain hygiene and cleanliness standards within the clinical area, reporting issues to the Modern Matron as necessary.
- Communicate complex information clearly, both verbally and in writing, ensuring key facts are understood.
- Resolve local conflicts, keeping managers informed and maintaining positive team dynamics.
- Lead in crisis situations, resolving problems within the Care Group as needed.
- Maintain confidentiality of personal staff information.
- Attend and actively contribute to departmental meetings.
Personal Professional Development
- Maintain agreed levels of clinical competence and accept responsibility for personal professional growth.
- Keep up to date with NMC, Trust, and Care Group policies and guidelines, adhering to all.
- Be an active, committed member of the multidisciplinary team.
- Reflect on personal professional development, identifying educational and training needs with the Ward Manager.
- Participate in Individual Performance Reviews and, when trained, undertake reviews for junior staff.
- Ensure mandatory training and PREP requirements are current in coordination with the Line Manager.
People Management and Performance
- Lead, coach, and manage team performance, recognizing excellence and addressing underperformance effectively.
- Conduct regular performance appraisals and ensure team members have clear objectives and development plans.
- Ensure team compliance with statutory, mandatory, and professional training requirements.
- Manage team absences, including sickness, according to Trust policy, and facilitate appropriate return-to-work meetings.
- Identify and fill team vacancies following Trust recruitment policies.
- Support talent management processes to attract, retain, and succession plan for staff.
- Review skills mix regularly to maximize resource utilization and ensure job descriptions are updated.
- Promote overall team wellbeing and morale, fostering a culture of zero tolerance for bullying and harassment.
General
- Uphold a duty of care for personal health, safety, wellbeing, and that of colleagues, visitors, and patients.
- Observe all Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust policies, statutory, and professional obligations.
- Commit to delivering the highest quality care and ensure all contributions are valued.
- Embrace and promote the Trusts core values:
- Kindness: Show compassion and a positive attitude.
- Respect: Promote equality, inclusivity, and honesty.
- Teamwork: Support open communication and professionalism.
- Maintain strict confidentiality of patient and staff personal information.
- Take responsibility for personal development and support colleagues development.
- Recognize this job description as a guide; duties may evolve and will be reviewed in consultation with the post holder.
- Maintain an active NHS.net email account for formal Trust communications.
- Promote inclusion at all levels, fostering an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and welcomed.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Practice
- Adhere to the NMC Code of Professional Conduct at all times.
- Demonstrate clinical expertise in caring for patients receiving treatment within the department.
- Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient needs, coordinating care across the multidisciplinary clinical team.
- Accurately interpret clinical information, promptly report changes in patient condition, and initiate appropriate remedial actions.
- Serve as a resource to the multidisciplinary team, patients, and relatives by providing accurate information, advice, and support.
- Maintain accurate records reflecting patient condition changes and treatments delivered.
- Ensure patients and relatives are regularly updated with clear, understandable information.
- Implement Clinical Guidelines and actively participate in auditing practices with the Line Manager and practice development staff.
- Promote evidence-based practice and assist, where appropriate, in developing policies and protocols.
- Uphold high standards of nursing care according to existing policies and standards.
- Support continuous quality improvement initiatives led by the Nurse Manager and Matron, evaluating and enhancing care standards.
- Contribute to patient and family health education, providing advice and support for healthy lifestyles.
- Actively support the Trusts nursing strategy and uphold the local philosophy and ethos.
Education and Research
- Mentor junior staff, overseeing their orientation, supervision, and ongoing development alongside Line Manager and Practice Development staff.
- Act as a practice supervisor by completing competency documentation for junior staff within agreed timelines.
- Mentor students undertaking further education, ensuring a positive learning environment and clinical skills development.
- Contribute to the delivery and participation of educational activities within the Care Group.
- Promote and encourage the application of research and evidence-based practices.
- Participate in research projects conducted within the clinical area as appropriate.
Management
- Manage clinical workload effectively, prioritizing patient care appropriately.
- Contribute to the delivery of a cost-effective service, adjusting staffing to meet demand and assisting in resource management.
- Assist with ongoing departmental organization and coordination of clinical activities.
- Liaise with medical personnel and Bed Manager to optimize bed usage, facilitating timely admissions and discharges.
- Act as a team leader for a designated staff group, monitoring and documenting their clinical skill development.
- Develop skills in recruitment, retention, sickness, and performance management as guided by the Line Manager.
- Support risk management by ensuring incidents are reported and helping to identify ways to prevent errors and accidents.
- Contribute to service development initiatives and support staff adaptation to change.
- Promote customer care, assist in resolving informal complaints, and support investigations of formal complaints.
- Monitor clinical stores and equipment stock levels, addressing any shortages appropriately.
- Maintain hygiene and cleanliness standards within the clinical area, reporting issues to the Modern Matron as necessary.
- Communicate complex information clearly, both verbally and in writing, ensuring key facts are understood.
- Resolve local conflicts, keeping managers informed and maintaining positive team dynamics.
- Lead in crisis situations, resolving problems within the Care Group as needed.
- Maintain confidentiality of personal staff information.
- Attend and actively contribute to departmental meetings.
Personal Professional Development
- Maintain agreed levels of clinical competence and accept responsibility for personal professional growth.
- Keep up to date with NMC, Trust, and Care Group policies and guidelines, adhering to all.
- Be an active, committed member of the multidisciplinary team.
- Reflect on personal professional development, identifying educational and training needs with the Ward Manager.
- Participate in Individual Performance Reviews and, when trained, undertake reviews for junior staff.
- Ensure mandatory training and PREP requirements are current in coordination with the Line Manager.
People Management and Performance
- Lead, coach, and manage team performance, recognizing excellence and addressing underperformance effectively.
- Conduct regular performance appraisals and ensure team members have clear objectives and development plans.
- Ensure team compliance with statutory, mandatory, and professional training requirements.
- Manage team absences, including sickness, according to Trust policy, and facilitate appropriate return-to-work meetings.
- Identify and fill team vacancies following Trust recruitment policies.
- Support talent management processes to attract, retain, and succession plan for staff.
- Review skills mix regularly to maximize resource utilization and ensure job descriptions are updated.
- Promote overall team wellbeing and morale, fostering a culture of zero tolerance for bullying and harassment.
General
- Uphold a duty of care for personal health, safety, wellbeing, and that of colleagues, visitors, and patients.
- Observe all Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust policies, statutory, and professional obligations.
- Commit to delivering the highest quality care and ensure all contributions are valued.
- Embrace and promote the Trusts core values:
- Kindness: Show compassion and a positive attitude.
- Respect: Promote equality, inclusivity, and honesty.
- Teamwork: Support open communication and professionalism.
- Maintain strict confidentiality of patient and staff personal information.
- Take responsibility for personal development and support colleagues development.
- Recognize this job description as a guide; duties may evolve and will be reviewed in consultation with the post holder.
- Maintain an active NHS.net email account for formal Trust communications.
- Promote inclusion at all levels, fostering an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and welcomed.
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- 1st level Registered General Nurse
- Further professional studies relevant to the clinical area (Ophthalmology)
- Mentorship programme or equivalent teaching qualification
Desirable
- Degree in Nursing or Equivalent
Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrable clinical expertise, relevant to Ophthalmology.
- Able to contribute to the development of students, ophthalmic technician, nurses and oneself
Skills
Essential
- Communication skills - able to relate and communicate with patients and staff at all levels and from different professions. Adapts communication style as necessary and can work with and through others.
- Team building and working skills - able to lead a team to achieve results.
- Problem solving skills - able to respond to unexpected issues and provide first line response and to identify appropriate sources of secondary support
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- 1st level Registered General Nurse
- Further professional studies relevant to the clinical area (Ophthalmology)
- Mentorship programme or equivalent teaching qualification
Desirable
- Degree in Nursing or Equivalent
Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrable clinical expertise, relevant to Ophthalmology.
- Able to contribute to the development of students, ophthalmic technician, nurses and oneself
Skills
Essential
- Communication skills - able to relate and communicate with patients and staff at all levels and from different professions. Adapts communication style as necessary and can work with and through others.
- Team building and working skills - able to lead a team to achieve results.
- Problem solving skills - able to respond to unexpected issues and provide first line response and to identify appropriate sources of secondary support
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
