Wrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Deputy Unit Leader and Pre-op Assessment for Ophthalmology

The closing date is 10 July 2025

Job summary

Band 6, Ophthalmology Deputy Unit Leader and Pre-op Assessment

Working across sites, Leigh Infirmary and Boston House Eye Unit

Full time 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday with occasional Saturday session as required.

We are looking for a motivated surgical nurse preferably with pre-op and or ophthalmology experience, however, training in all aspects of the pre-op and ophthalmology service will be given.

Main duties of the job

This is a new position, the successful candidate will be involved in the setting up, development and running of an ophthalmic pre-op assessment service at Leigh Infirmary.

Health assessments of ophthalmology patients listed for a variety of procedures.

Autorefraction and biometry measurements and evaluation of same.

Accurate documentation of assessments and investigations.

Communication with the multidisciplinary team including theatres, wards, general practitioners, opticians, infection control and the ophthalmology team on both sites.

To provide managerial cover for the ophthalmology unit manager and deputy unit manager at Boston House.

Supervision and training of junior staff and students.

Running of ophthalmology clinics on both sites.

About us

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are the proud providers of acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, we value our staff believing that 'happy staff, makes for happy patients'. We have a recognised track record in staff engagement, and living our values.

WWL are committed to placing the patient at the heart of everything we do, and in the provision of safe, effective care that acknowledges and ensures dignity. With this in mind we are seeking to recruit people who share our values and beliefs.

At WWL we value the benefits a rich and diverse workforce brings to our community and therefore welcome applications from all sections of society.

Details

Date posted

26 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

302-25-7288069S

Job locations

Leigh Infirmary and Boston House

The Avenue, Leigh

Wigan

WN7 1HS


Job description

Job responsibilities

This role will include duties ranging from supporting the unit leader in a deputy role and delivering direct patient care for patients who are to have elective ophthalmic surgical procedures and completing pre-operative assessments for these patients required. This will be undertaken by demonstrating skills that are specific to pre-operative assessment that identifies the patients fitness for the elective procedure.

The pre-operative role is a nurse led assessment process using electronic health assessment tools and observations, instigating and reviewing investigations and specialist ophthalmic tests/measurements which assess a patients health, fitness and wellbeing.

The role will involve working across different hospital sites at Boston house, Wigan hospital and Leigh Infirmary.

This will support the ongoing management of elective ophthalmic surgical patients throughout all stages of their pathway.

The role will actively support the departmental manager and team to provide evidence-based patient centred care.

The deputy unit leader duties will include co-ordinating in the Unit leads absence, roster and Annual leave issues and support. Hr and staff management support, mentoring junior staff. Leading on initiatives and keeping the unit up to date on trust and the wider ophthalmic policies and care delivery.

Job description

Job responsibilities

This role will include duties ranging from supporting the unit leader in a deputy role and delivering direct patient care for patients who are to have elective ophthalmic surgical procedures and completing pre-operative assessments for these patients required. This will be undertaken by demonstrating skills that are specific to pre-operative assessment that identifies the patients fitness for the elective procedure.

The pre-operative role is a nurse led assessment process using electronic health assessment tools and observations, instigating and reviewing investigations and specialist ophthalmic tests/measurements which assess a patients health, fitness and wellbeing.

The role will involve working across different hospital sites at Boston house, Wigan hospital and Leigh Infirmary.

This will support the ongoing management of elective ophthalmic surgical patients throughout all stages of their pathway.

The role will actively support the departmental manager and team to provide evidence-based patient centred care.

The deputy unit leader duties will include co-ordinating in the Unit leads absence, roster and Annual leave issues and support. Hr and staff management support, mentoring junior staff. Leading on initiatives and keeping the unit up to date on trust and the wider ophthalmic policies and care delivery.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Current NMC registration
  • Relevant courses appropriate to clinical area
  • Evidence of continued professional development

Desirable

  • Teaching and assessing/mentorship certificate
  • Experience of audit and research
  • Leadership and management experience

Experience

Essential

  • Significant post registration experience at band 5 level or above within relevant specialty
  • Experience of multi-professional working
  • Experience of mentoring and supervising others
  • Experience of managing change

Desirable

  • Experience of audit and research
  • Leadership and management experience

Skils

Essential

  • Excellent and effective verbal and written communication skills
  • Able to support people with life changing news
  • Ability to interpret data and utilise to improve practice
  • Ability to support, encourage and motivate others
  • Excellent computer literacy skills

Desirable

  • Training/equivalent experience and willingness to undertake training

Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge of eye anatomy and ophthalmic procedures
  • Ability to work within an ophthalmology clinical environment
  • Ability to work autonomously and as part of and effective MDT
  • Ability to plan, organise, prioritise and delegate effectively

Desirable

  • Working knowledge of ophthalmology care and guidelines

Additional

Essential

  • Ability to deal with complex and difficult emotional situations
  • Act as a role model demonstrating appropriate behaviours in line with Trust values and adherence to policy and standards
  • Remains calm and diplomatic under pressure
  • Assertive and confident yet approachable
  • Ability to recognise own limitations
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Flexible to meet the needs of the service
  • Demonstrates enthusiasm and a positive attitude
  • Ability to travel between sites as required for the role
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Current NMC registration
  • Relevant courses appropriate to clinical area
  • Evidence of continued professional development

Desirable

  • Teaching and assessing/mentorship certificate
  • Experience of audit and research
  • Leadership and management experience

Experience

Essential

  • Significant post registration experience at band 5 level or above within relevant specialty
  • Experience of multi-professional working
  • Experience of mentoring and supervising others
  • Experience of managing change

Desirable

  • Experience of audit and research
  • Leadership and management experience

Skils

Essential

  • Excellent and effective verbal and written communication skills
  • Able to support people with life changing news
  • Ability to interpret data and utilise to improve practice
  • Ability to support, encourage and motivate others
  • Excellent computer literacy skills

Desirable

  • Training/equivalent experience and willingness to undertake training

Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge of eye anatomy and ophthalmic procedures
  • Ability to work within an ophthalmology clinical environment
  • Ability to work autonomously and as part of and effective MDT
  • Ability to plan, organise, prioritise and delegate effectively

Desirable

  • Working knowledge of ophthalmology care and guidelines

Additional

Essential

  • Ability to deal with complex and difficult emotional situations
  • Act as a role model demonstrating appropriate behaviours in line with Trust values and adherence to policy and standards
  • Remains calm and diplomatic under pressure
  • Assertive and confident yet approachable
  • Ability to recognise own limitations
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Flexible to meet the needs of the service
  • Demonstrates enthusiasm and a positive attitude
  • Ability to travel between sites as required for the role

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Wrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Leigh Infirmary and Boston House

The Avenue, Leigh

Wigan

WN7 1HS


Employer's website

http://www.wwl.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Wrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Leigh Infirmary and Boston House

The Avenue, Leigh

Wigan

WN7 1HS


Employer's website

http://www.wwl.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Unit Manager Ophthalmology

Elaine Robinson

elaine.robinson@wwl.nhs.uk

01942773274

Details

Date posted

26 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

302-25-7288069S

Job locations

Leigh Infirmary and Boston House

The Avenue, Leigh

Wigan

WN7 1HS


Supporting documents

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