Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Band 6 Sister/Charge Nurse - Ophthalmology

The closing date is 16 March 2026

Job summary

The Luton and Dunstable Ophthalmology Department have a vacancy for a Band 6 trained and experienced Ophthalmic Nurse. The department has just been awarded Silver in the Trust's accreditation framework which demonstrates the departments commitment to providing and delivering high quality care to our patients, their relatives and carers. We are a large, friendly and welcoming multidisciplinary team. The Ophthalmology Department is busy, therefore we are seeking to appoint a person who can remain professional, reliable, and calm under pressure.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be required to perform specialised clinical ophthalmic procedures some of which training will be provided. The role requires the post holder to coordinate and supervise nursing staff and allied health professionals in delivery of clinical activity across the department areas therefor clear and concise communication is key. The post holder will be responsible and overseeing a cohort of staff to support their development and training.

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job

Details

Date posted

02 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year pa

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

418-MED7161-JB

Job locations

Luton and Dunstable Hospital

Lewsey Road

LUTON

LU4 0DZ


Job description

Job responsibilities

This role combines ophthalmic clinical expertise and leadership to deliver high quality ophthalmic care and service . Please read and review the Job description for a more detailed requirements for this role also the Person specifications required to apply for this job.

Job description

Job responsibilities

This role combines ophthalmic clinical expertise and leadership to deliver high quality ophthalmic care and service . Please read and review the Job description for a more detailed requirements for this role also the Person specifications required to apply for this job.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Ophthalmic qualification

Experience

Essential

  • Clinical ophthalmic experience
  • Extensive experience of working with ophthalmic patients and their carers
  • Triaging of ophthalmic patients

Desirable

  • Ability to make clinical judgements regarding patient needs where appropriate.

Skills

Essential

  • Able to work within a multi-professional team
  • To be competent in using ophthalmic devices
  • Ability to work autonomously

Desirable

  • To undertake teaching of staff, patients and carers
  • Clinical skills including venepuncture and intravitreal injections
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Ophthalmic qualification

Experience

Essential

  • Clinical ophthalmic experience
  • Extensive experience of working with ophthalmic patients and their carers
  • Triaging of ophthalmic patients

Desirable

  • Ability to make clinical judgements regarding patient needs where appropriate.

Skills

Essential

  • Able to work within a multi-professional team
  • To be competent in using ophthalmic devices
  • Ability to work autonomously

Desirable

  • To undertake teaching of staff, patients and carers
  • Clinical skills including venepuncture and intravitreal injections

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

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Luton and Dunstable Hospital

Lewsey Road

LUTON

LU4 0DZ


Employer's website

https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Luton and Dunstable Hospital

Lewsey Road

LUTON

LU4 0DZ


Employer's website

https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Matron

Sharon Hanniffy

sharon.hanniffy@bedsft.nhs.uk

07929662222

Details

Date posted

02 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year pa

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

418-MED7161-JB

Job locations

Luton and Dunstable Hospital

Lewsey Road

LUTON

LU4 0DZ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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