Job responsibilities
1. Clinical Responsibilities/Key Responsibilities
- Deliver specialist ophthalmic nursing care, ensuring that the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care is of high standard, encompassing the Trust vision of best care for everyone.
- Deliver, demonstrate and supervise safe and appropriate care within a challenging and changing clinical environment, using highly specialised equipment and resources.
- Administer medications, within the Procedure for the Ordering, Prescribing, and Administration of Medications (POPAM) guidelines
- Perform specific ophthalmic procedures such as intravitreal injections, botulinum toxin administration, fluorescein angiography, and photodynamic therapy
- Manage and triage telephone referrals from GPs, Emergency Departments, Minor Injury Units, optometrists, and self-referring patients.
- Communicate effectively with patients and colleagues to support assessment, care, and patient education
- Facilitate timely referrals to support networks and external services to meet holistic patient needs.
- Disseminate contentious and delicate information appropriately and sensitively, ensure patient confidentiality is maintained
- Role model high standards of patient care, communication, commitment and organisation for others to follow.
- Utilise hospital computer systems, including the intranet, Trak-care and electronic patient records, to access and update patient information, while maintaining clear and accurate written records relevant to nursing practice
- Work collaboratively and cohesively with the multidisciplinary team to meet the needs of patients and their families and provide high standards of care.
- Take a key role in the implementation of any clinical initiative or introduction of new equipment.
- Work continuously to promote and support clinical training, education and development of other staff.
- Actively support all agreed quality improvements within Ophthalmology services and link with other teams and services as appropriate within and outside of Trust.
2. Professional Development, Education and Training
- In conjunction with the senior ophthalmology nurse practitioner, identify personal training and development needs through the Trust appraisal process
- Maintain and continually develop knowledge, competence and skills required to perform the role effectively
- Undertake all mandatory training appropriate to role
- Actively participate in and contribute to departmental education and training programmes.
- Develop the skills to supervise, mentor, support and educate less experienced and non-registered staff in the clinical practice setting
3. Management and Leadership
- Comply with Trust and Departmental policies and procedures e.g. Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), Manual Handling, clinical equipment competency, risk management, Data Protection Acts and patient confidentiality at all times. This will include demonstrating compliance with the terms of all safeguarding policies and processes relevant to the safeguarding of adults and children in the care of GHNHSFT and to undergo regular mandatory training concerned with safeguarding matters
- Report personal sickness to the Department manager following the correct procedure
- Report near misses and untoward incidents, complaints, clinical emergencies, injury or medicine administration errors as detailed in the departmental and Trust protocols. Assist lead staff in investigating incidents as required
- Manage any patient, relative or staff complaints in line with the Trust complaints procedure
- Take responsibility for the health and safety of patients, relatives and staff and contribute towards clinical and environmental risk assessments and risk reduction practices
- Support the development of a highly skilled, motivated and engaged workforce which continually strives to improve patient, relative and staff experience
- Demonstrate a positive and pro-active approach to the on-going support and development of registered nurses and other staff members
- Role model high standards of patient care, communication, commitment and organisation for others to follow
- Support a shared leadership model, enabling and empowering others, of all grades, to take the lead with various initiatives within Head and Neck services and the wider Trust whilst clearly demonstrating the Trust leadership values and behaviors
- Actively support and contribute to quality improvement initiatives within Ophthalmology services, liaising with internal teams and external services as appropriate
- Participate fully in multidisciplinary meetings, acting as a patient advocate and providing expert clinical nurse specialist input
- Collaborate with local, network and national colleagues as appropriate to maintain shared best practice within Ophthalmology
- Work in a manner that makes best use of available resources and aim to reduce unnecessary waste from a financial and environmental perspective
4. Research and Development
- Work in a manner that promotes any audits or research taking place within Ophthalmology services or the wider Trust as appropriate
- Promote and demonstrate the use of evidence-based practice and related policy, procedure and guidelines
5. Communications and Working Relationships
- Demonstrate an ability to work cohesively with all members of the Ophthalmology specialty
- Communicate with colleagues, patients and their relatives with sensitivity and empathy
- Communicate complex and sensitive information effectively to patients and their families, ensuring clarity and compassion even in challenging clinical situations
- Take initiative and demonstrate a progressive, creative and forward-thinking approach
- Act as a good role model for others to follow to include personal appearance and adherence to Trust uniform policy
- Work in a manner to promote the Trust values and core objectives
- Work within the Nursing and Midwifery Council code at all times
- Maintain own professional development, mandatory training and Nursing and Midwifery Council revalidation requirements
- Always seek advice and support when required and encourage others to do the same
6. Improving safety, quality and developing practice
- Contribute to the Clinical Governance and Quality agenda by active participation in service initiatives, health and safety and risk management
- Develop and share own knowledge with other members of the wider team both locally and nationally
- Identify own development needs, aligning these to service requirements and personal aspirations. Proactively develop and improve own practice using all available resources
- Work collaboratively with colleagues undertaking audit and research projects, supporting recommendations for changes in clinical practice and contributing to the implementation of agreed improvements.
- Understand and contribute to the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of standard operational procedures, policies, protocols and guidelines relevant to the defined service
- Openly question and challenge strategic and operational practice in a constructive way so that standards of patient care are continually evaluated and improved
7. General Working Conditions
- Comply with Trust and departmental policies and procedures e.g. Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), Manual Handling, risk management, Data Protection Acts and patient confidentiality at all times
- Required to utilise recognised manual handling techniques and guidelines
- Will be expected to frequently manoeuvre patients / objects over 15 kg using appropriate aids
- Will have exposure to and will be required to follow policies and procedures pertaining to, infestations, bodily fluids, infection control and substances hazardous to health.
- Will have regular exposure to distressing and emotionally demanding situations involving staff, patients and relatives
- Will have regular exposure to patients displaying verbal and physical abuse
- Will be required to concentrate for long periods of time
- Will manage and triage telephone referrals, often dealing with complex or urgent patient concerns and handling complaints from patients or other healthcare professionals in a calm, professional, and solution-focused manner.
- Will experience frequent exposure to distressing, emotionally challenging situations involving patients, relatives, and staff, while maintaining professionalism and compassion.
- May encounter patients displaying verbal or physical aggression, requiring the use of effective de-escalation and risk management strategies.
- Will be required to maintain prolonged concentration while performing intricate ophthalmic procedures, clinical assessments, documentation, and telephone consultations.
- There will be an on-going requirement to maintain excellent standards of care whilst working under pressure in an ever-changing and challenging environment
- Ensure a smart, professional image that enhances the public perception of the Trust and the professionalism of its staff
