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The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) for Ophthalmology

The closing date is 06 January 2026

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Job summary

1. The Clinical Nurse Specialist will act as the clinical expert and professional resource to the multi- professional team, patients and carers within their Speciality Service. 2. The post holder will have a responsibility to develop the specialist area of practice in partnership with other members of the speciality team will work collaboratively to develop services and improve the quality of care delivered. 3. The post holder will carry responsibility for either a defined case load or offering highly specialist service advise this will include setting standards of care, the assessment of care needs and the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care, management and education. 4. The post holder will contribute to achieving the objectives of the clinical service group speciality corporate objectives and work within the clinical governance framework. 5. This will be achieved through the core dimensions of the role, clinical practice, leadership, acting as the patient advocate and through audit and education.

Main duties of the job

We are seeking 3 dedicated and experienced Clinical Nurse Specialist in Ophthalmology to join our expanding team. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated nurse who is passionate about delivering highquality, patientcentred care within a specialist environment. As a CNS in Ophthalmology, you will play a key role in safeguarding and improving patients sight through advanced clinical practice, specialist assessment, and expert guidance. In this role, you will lead nurseled ophthalmology clinics, providing advanced assessment, management, and support for patients with a wide range of eye conditions. You will also act as an expert resource for colleagues, offering specialist education to patients, families, and multidisciplinary teams. Your contribution will be central to developing and improving patient pathways, driving innovation, and maintaining service excellence. We are looking for a compassionate and confident registered nurse with strong ophthalmology experience or a genuine interest in developing specialist expertise. Excellent communication skills, sound clinical judgement, and a commitment to continuous improvement are essential. Above all, you will share our values of putting the patient at the heart of everything we do, striving for everyday excellence, and collaborating creatively with others.

About us

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality services. We are part of the Neighbourhood Wave; a national programme thats changing how care is delivered by focusing on prevention, early support, and more joined-up services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector. This means were working more closely with local partners to bring care closer to home and support people to live healthier, more independent lives. Were a supportive and inclusive organisation that values its people. We offer development opportunities, flexible working, and a strong focus on wellbeing. As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences. Join us and help shape the future of care in West Essex.

Details

Date posted

23 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£50,008 to £56,908 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

000335

Job locations

The Princess Alexandra Hospital

Harlow

Essex

CM20 1QX


Job description

Job responsibilities

Professionalism & Integrity

1. Be fully conversant and wholly accountable for your practice and maintaining your professional registration in line with the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (NMC).

2. Recognise the limits and gaps of individual competence and knowledge undertake and complete further training and academic qualifications as relevant to the role and service requirements.

3. Develop a culture of providing and accepting constructive feedback and use this to reflect on your own practice. Act as role model at all times.

4. Act with personal and professional integrity within professional, ethical and legal frameworks and process to maintain and improve standards of care and practice.

5. Take responsibility and maintain professional records of personal updates (portfolio of practice) to support revalidation. Be actively involved in professional development discussions and personal development plan as part of your annual appraisal.

6. Adhere to all trust policies, procedures, guidelines and standards, ensuring a high standard of personal and professional behaviour and dress is maintained at all times whilst acting as an ambassador for the trust.

Duties and responsibilities Clinical Practice

1. Practice autonomously with a high level of accountability at a specialist level in the direct delivery of high-quality care, making critical clinical decisions based on advanced clinical skills assessment.

2. With support for the Consultant, be responsible for a caseload of patients and managing nurse led review clinics.

3. Assess, diagnosis and treat patients under the guidance from consultants and ANP, develop treatment plans within set guidelines, and record clinical findings using the department information systems, when necessary collaborate with the multi-professional and/or refer to the senior clinical colleagues as appropriate.

4. Challenge practice so that the best and most appropriate treatment is given to the patient; maintaining and monitoring high standards of care, recognising and responding proactively to patients’ changing clinical needs.

5. Maintain professional competence, authority and credibility by undertaking regular clinical sessions in line with your job plan and being highly visible to patients, carers and staff, actively seeking feedback about the quality of services. Collaborate in the establishment and monitoring of protocols/care pathways.

6. Actively participate in case discussions and multi-disciplinary team meetings, liaise with inter hospital departments/personnel across organisations and professional boundaries.

7. Undertake non-medical independent prescribing if required by service, in accordance with policies, current legislation and Patient Group Directions (PGD’s).

8. Supervise and support junior members of staff in the delivery of patient care. 9. Identify deteriorating patients and take the appropriate action to manage the situation, liaising with the multi-disciplinary team and external care providers as appropriate.

10. Have accountability for the correct administration, usage and storage of medicines including host cost drugs according to the trust policy to include the safe administration of medicines, controlled, intravenous and cytotoxic drugs.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Professionalism & Integrity

1. Be fully conversant and wholly accountable for your practice and maintaining your professional registration in line with the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (NMC).

2. Recognise the limits and gaps of individual competence and knowledge undertake and complete further training and academic qualifications as relevant to the role and service requirements.

3. Develop a culture of providing and accepting constructive feedback and use this to reflect on your own practice. Act as role model at all times.

4. Act with personal and professional integrity within professional, ethical and legal frameworks and process to maintain and improve standards of care and practice.

5. Take responsibility and maintain professional records of personal updates (portfolio of practice) to support revalidation. Be actively involved in professional development discussions and personal development plan as part of your annual appraisal.

6. Adhere to all trust policies, procedures, guidelines and standards, ensuring a high standard of personal and professional behaviour and dress is maintained at all times whilst acting as an ambassador for the trust.

Duties and responsibilities Clinical Practice

1. Practice autonomously with a high level of accountability at a specialist level in the direct delivery of high-quality care, making critical clinical decisions based on advanced clinical skills assessment.

2. With support for the Consultant, be responsible for a caseload of patients and managing nurse led review clinics.

3. Assess, diagnosis and treat patients under the guidance from consultants and ANP, develop treatment plans within set guidelines, and record clinical findings using the department information systems, when necessary collaborate with the multi-professional and/or refer to the senior clinical colleagues as appropriate.

4. Challenge practice so that the best and most appropriate treatment is given to the patient; maintaining and monitoring high standards of care, recognising and responding proactively to patients’ changing clinical needs.

5. Maintain professional competence, authority and credibility by undertaking regular clinical sessions in line with your job plan and being highly visible to patients, carers and staff, actively seeking feedback about the quality of services. Collaborate in the establishment and monitoring of protocols/care pathways.

6. Actively participate in case discussions and multi-disciplinary team meetings, liaise with inter hospital departments/personnel across organisations and professional boundaries.

7. Undertake non-medical independent prescribing if required by service, in accordance with policies, current legislation and Patient Group Directions (PGD’s).

8. Supervise and support junior members of staff in the delivery of patient care. 9. Identify deteriorating patients and take the appropriate action to manage the situation, liaising with the multi-disciplinary team and external care providers as appropriate.

10. Have accountability for the correct administration, usage and storage of medicines including host cost drugs according to the trust policy to include the safe administration of medicines, controlled, intravenous and cytotoxic drugs.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Nurse
  • Experience as Band 6 in Ophthalmology NHS environment
  • PG Cert: Clinical Ophthalmic Practice or equivalent
  • Experiencing in administering Intravitreal Injection Clinics
  • Leadership course

Desirable

  • Leadership course
  • Msc in Advance practice or working towards
  • Management qualification / experience

Experience

Essential

  • Experiencing in triaging and working in eye emergency clinics
  • Experience in Pre-assessment clinics within ophthalmology
  • Supervising and assessing in a clinical setting
  • Experience of working in nurse led clinics

Desirable

  • Clinical audit and research
  • Worked as clinical nurse specialist in Specialist Service (Desirable)
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Nurse
  • Experience as Band 6 in Ophthalmology NHS environment
  • PG Cert: Clinical Ophthalmic Practice or equivalent
  • Experiencing in administering Intravitreal Injection Clinics
  • Leadership course

Desirable

  • Leadership course
  • Msc in Advance practice or working towards
  • Management qualification / experience

Experience

Essential

  • Experiencing in triaging and working in eye emergency clinics
  • Experience in Pre-assessment clinics within ophthalmology
  • Supervising and assessing in a clinical setting
  • Experience of working in nurse led clinics

Desirable

  • Clinical audit and research
  • Worked as clinical nurse specialist in Specialist Service (Desirable)

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.

Employer details

Employer name

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust

Address

The Princess Alexandra Hospital

Harlow

Essex

CM20 1QX


Employer's website

https://www.pah.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust

Address

The Princess Alexandra Hospital

Harlow

Essex

CM20 1QX


Employer's website

https://www.pah.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Surgical Matron for Ophthalmology & Orthopaedics

Sonia Edmond

sonia.edmon@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

23 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£50,008 to £56,908 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

000335

Job locations

The Princess Alexandra Hospital

Harlow

Essex

CM20 1QX


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