Job summary
Expected Shortlisting
Date
24/03/2026
Planned Interview
Date
31/03/2026
The
post is an integral part of the Ophthalmology MDT, responsible for
specialised clinical skills and leadership competencies, promoting the
effective and economical use of resources and contributing to budgetary
balance. The post holder is responsible for his/her own actions without
direct supervision and accountable for the actions of junior members of
staff.
The
post holder will have responsibility for the delivery of elements of the
medical retina service, from initial assessment and investigation to
treatment with intra-vitreal injection. As a specialised practitioner, the
post holder will work with the team to deliver care, plan future service
demand planning and will collaborate with patients, carers and colleagues.
This post will involve an independent caseload.
The
post holder will also work within the Macular Treatment Suite, with an
independent case load. This role will involve either the clinical assessment
of patients having intra-vitreal therapies or the provision of a range of
intra-vitreal injections or both.
Main duties of the job
The
post holder will be practising as a retina specialist practitioner within
Ophthalmology, providing patient-centred and evidence-based clinical care,
within an agreed scope of competence and practice. The role will encompass
the skills of history taking, slit lamp examination, image acquisition and/or
interpretation, diagnosis and treatment of intra-vitreal injections.
The
post holder will work in partnership with the multi-disciplinary team (MDT)
to implement and improve the patient pathway and will be expected to acquire
new skills to further enhance the quality of the service delivered.
Additional
roles will include the day to day liaison with other retina specialist
practitioners and to help lead the rest of team of the team within the
Macular Treatment Suite.
The
successful candidate will work within the medical retinal service and
support, co-ordinate and implement effective medical retina assessments and
interventions. The role will encompass the skills of history taking,
measurement of LogMAR visual acuity, slit lamp examination, ocular coherence
tomography (OCT) imaging and interpretation, canulation for fluorescein
angiography, and treatment with both intra-vitreal injection and photodynamic
therapy. The successful candidate will work alongside the medical retina
consultants and other members of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT).
About us
The
Ophthalmology Department lies within the Head and Neck Clinical Service Unit
at Leeds teaching Hospital Trust. It is the largest provider of specialist
Ophthalmology services in the Yorkshire region and provides a specialist
ophthalmology service for patients in Leeds, Yorkshire and from across the
north of England. We strive to work as a team and be the centre of
excellence, putting our patients at the centre to deliver patient focused
care. We encourage staff to voice concerns in an open and honest way and open
to ideas to improve patient experience and change practice to improve
efficiency so that we deliver what we promise. We have on-going improving
patient experience projects and each team member is actively encouraged to
lead and be involved in all projects, irrespective of their banding.
The
Ophthalmology Outpatient Department operates across two sites: St Jamess
Hospital and Seacroft Hospital.
Leeds
Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk'
members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts
are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove
adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the
shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this
process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any
questions.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Actively contribute to the
provision of education and skills development of nurses, optometrists, and non-medical allied professionals.
- Support medical staff in the
delivery of the intra-vitreal injection service through assessment and
treatment of the patient..
- Increase capacity for fluorescein
angiography and fast-track assessment of referrals from primary care.
- Increase treatment capacity by
providing intra-vitreal injections.
- Utilise appropriate clinical skills
when assessing patients after injection and being aware of the indications
for paracentesis .
- Establish a 2 stop assessment
service for AMD patients with stable disease and monitor the success of the
service.
- Maintain a high standard of patient
care in accordance with Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust guidelines and
policies.
- Act as a role model for the
development of clinical skills and knowledge within the ophthalmic team.
- Work in partnership with Medical
team, Matron, Sisters, Charge Nurses in the development of department/ward
practice, reflecting LTHT strategic and workforce delivery plans.
- Set, monitor and seek to
continuously improve standards and the quality of patient care, including
those standards defined in the National Benchmarks for Essential Care.
- Analyse and synthesise information
from a variety of sources and make recommendations for the clinical area.
- Develop effective networks for
sharing information expertise, and good practice, both within and outside the
Trust.
- Promote evidence based practice,
wherever possible.
- Assist in the implementation of
Trust wide nursing and midwifery policy and practice guidelines.
- Support the development and assist
in the review of guidelines, write clinical competencies and work based
learning packages for use in clinical areas.
- Provide high quality care as an
expert practitioner and act as a role model and resource for advice, support
and guidance.
- Acts in accordance with the Nursing
and Midwifery/ Health Professions Council code of conduct.
- Ensure and promote the maintenance
of a safe, clean and secure working environment.
- Support the Clinical Governance
processes within ophthalmology. Supports service measures to ensure quality
and standards of the fundamental aspects of care delivered and outcomes
achieved.
- Work within The Royal College of
Ophthalmologists guidelines for HCPs giving intra-vitreal injections.
- Participate in clinical /peer
supervision and monitor personal outcomes of patient interventions.
- Participate in two stop assessment
service for stable patients inclusive of investigation required to include
extensive slit lamp skills and intra ocular measurement.
- Work in partnership with Medical
team in the Fast track assessment service, supporting with Fundus fluorescein
angiography and or Indocyanine green.
- Obtaining informed consent from
patients prior to investigations/ treatment.
- Interface with Low vision aid
service and Eye clinic liaison officer.
- Identification of and
interpretation of Optical coherence tomographs.
- Regularly undertake clinical audit
and participate in patient experience/ feedback.
The
successful candidate will be expected to support the entire patient pathway
from initial assessment and investigation, to treatment with further
assessment as required. It is therefore envisaged that the successful
candidate will become involved in fast-track assessment of patients referred
from the community, fluorescein angiography, intra-vitreal injections and
assessment and the provision of two-stop assessment only clinics for patients
with stable retinal disease. A full programme to develop the skills
required for intra-vitreal injection will be provided
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Actively contribute to the
provision of education and skills development of nurses, optometrists, and non-medical allied professionals.
- Support medical staff in the
delivery of the intra-vitreal injection service through assessment and
treatment of the patient..
- Increase capacity for fluorescein
angiography and fast-track assessment of referrals from primary care.
- Increase treatment capacity by
providing intra-vitreal injections.
- Utilise appropriate clinical skills
when assessing patients after injection and being aware of the indications
for paracentesis .
- Establish a 2 stop assessment
service for AMD patients with stable disease and monitor the success of the
service.
- Maintain a high standard of patient
care in accordance with Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust guidelines and
policies.
- Act as a role model for the
development of clinical skills and knowledge within the ophthalmic team.
- Work in partnership with Medical
team, Matron, Sisters, Charge Nurses in the development of department/ward
practice, reflecting LTHT strategic and workforce delivery plans.
- Set, monitor and seek to
continuously improve standards and the quality of patient care, including
those standards defined in the National Benchmarks for Essential Care.
- Analyse and synthesise information
from a variety of sources and make recommendations for the clinical area.
- Develop effective networks for
sharing information expertise, and good practice, both within and outside the
Trust.
- Promote evidence based practice,
wherever possible.
- Assist in the implementation of
Trust wide nursing and midwifery policy and practice guidelines.
- Support the development and assist
in the review of guidelines, write clinical competencies and work based
learning packages for use in clinical areas.
- Provide high quality care as an
expert practitioner and act as a role model and resource for advice, support
and guidance.
- Acts in accordance with the Nursing
and Midwifery/ Health Professions Council code of conduct.
- Ensure and promote the maintenance
of a safe, clean and secure working environment.
- Support the Clinical Governance
processes within ophthalmology. Supports service measures to ensure quality
and standards of the fundamental aspects of care delivered and outcomes
achieved.
- Work within The Royal College of
Ophthalmologists guidelines for HCPs giving intra-vitreal injections.
- Participate in clinical /peer
supervision and monitor personal outcomes of patient interventions.
- Participate in two stop assessment
service for stable patients inclusive of investigation required to include
extensive slit lamp skills and intra ocular measurement.
- Work in partnership with Medical
team in the Fast track assessment service, supporting with Fundus fluorescein
angiography and or Indocyanine green.
- Obtaining informed consent from
patients prior to investigations/ treatment.
- Interface with Low vision aid
service and Eye clinic liaison officer.
- Identification of and
interpretation of Optical coherence tomographs.
- Regularly undertake clinical audit
and participate in patient experience/ feedback.
The
successful candidate will be expected to support the entire patient pathway
from initial assessment and investigation, to treatment with further
assessment as required. It is therefore envisaged that the successful
candidate will become involved in fast-track assessment of patients referred
from the community, fluorescein angiography, intra-vitreal injections and
assessment and the provision of two-stop assessment only clinics for patients
with stable retinal disease. A full programme to develop the skills
required for intra-vitreal injection will be provided
Person Specification
Skills & behaviours
Essential
- Well-developed clinical practice skills
- Capable of lateral thinking
Desirable
- Evidence of prior independent working and leadership
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse OR Registered ODP OR Registered Optometrist
- Evidence of continued professional development
- Willing to undergo training as necessary
Desirable
- Recognised teaching/assessing qualification
- Masters degree
Experience
Essential
- Substantial experience as a staff nurse or other Allied professional
- Experience in clinical speciality including ophthalmic theatres and/or intra-vitreal injections
- Current issues in healthcare
- Understanding of The Royal College of Ophthalmologists guidelines around the use of HCPs in the delivery of intra-vitreal injections
- Understanding of the rationale, benefits and side-effects of intra-vitreal injections
Desirable
- Local anaesthesia for the eye
- Relevant anatomy of the eye
- Knowledge of ophthalmology, especially common medical retina conditions and the rationale for intra-vitreal injection
- Interpretation of retinal imaging
- Benefits and possible complications of intra-vitreal injection
Person Specification
Skills & behaviours
Essential
- Well-developed clinical practice skills
- Capable of lateral thinking
Desirable
- Evidence of prior independent working and leadership
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse OR Registered ODP OR Registered Optometrist
- Evidence of continued professional development
- Willing to undergo training as necessary
Desirable
- Recognised teaching/assessing qualification
- Masters degree
Experience
Essential
- Substantial experience as a staff nurse or other Allied professional
- Experience in clinical speciality including ophthalmic theatres and/or intra-vitreal injections
- Current issues in healthcare
- Understanding of The Royal College of Ophthalmologists guidelines around the use of HCPs in the delivery of intra-vitreal injections
- Understanding of the rationale, benefits and side-effects of intra-vitreal injections
Desirable
- Local anaesthesia for the eye
- Relevant anatomy of the eye
- Knowledge of ophthalmology, especially common medical retina conditions and the rationale for intra-vitreal injection
- Interpretation of retinal imaging
- Benefits and possible complications of intra-vitreal injection
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).
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).
