Ophthalmic Nurse Practitioner | Nottingham University Hospitals Nhs Trust

We are looking to appoint a Nurse Practitioner to support the Medical Retina Service in the Ophthalmology Department at Nottingham University Hospitals(NUH). This is an exciting opportunity for promotion and further development within ophthalmology that will also support further career development for candidate aspiring to progress to more senior clinical roles.
Ophthalmology is situated at the QMC Campus. Based in the purpose built Ear, Eye, Nose and Throat Centre, east Block, we are very easily accessible by public transport including medi-link bus routes and the Tram.
Our patients are referred to us from the local area of Nottinghamshire as well as further afield, quite often cross county. We see patients who are for routine diabetic checks as well as patients who have had surgery for different types of skin carcinomas. No two days are the same within the clinic!
NUH Trust values all of its staff and this shows in the excellent benefit schemes ie cycle to work schemes , staff well-being benefits , staff gym , lottery to name but a few.
As a member of staff working in Ophthalmology , we want you to feel proud to work towards this goal, in an environment which seeks to nurture and develop all individuals in our team.
In addition to the above you must familiarise yourself with the full job description and person specification attached to this advert prior to applying
You will be working with and alongside medical staff, optometrists, Advance Clinical Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Ophthalmology technicians and Nursing staff to enhance and help deliver an efficient and safe Medical Retina Service to patients. This will involve organising and participating in fluorescein angiography, giving intravitreal injections, reviewing patients, working to assessment and treatment protocols, and carrying out OCT imaging if necessary.
You will need relevant clinical experience, be self motivated and enthusiastic with an interest in medical retina disease and its management along with ability, with support and training, to help develop and embed the role. As part of a group of Nurse Practitioners and nurse specialists working across ophthalmology , you will be required to support their Nurse Practitioners/ specialists colleagues, and to be supported by them in return, when necessary, for example to cover absence , and there will be opportunities to be involved in the other nurse-led services.
With over 17,000 staff, we are one of the biggest employers in the city with a central role in supporting the health and wellbeing of our local population. We play a leading role in research, education and innovation.
Come and join our wonderful team at NUH. We are big believers in diversity and welcome new ideas to help develop our team in order to deliver world class healthcare to the vast patient populations we serve. With endless personal development opportunities available, at NUH we will endeavour to turn your job into a career! We particularly welcome applications from people who identify as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, or Disabled, as we are striving to be better represented at NUH.
JOB SUMMARY
The post holder will be required to provide autonomous assessment and care of macula clinic patients within agreed guidelines. When based in the Macula Clinic the holder will be required to coordinate the department on a rostered basis. The post holder will be required to perform intravitreal injections and work alongside medical staff and advanced clinic practitioners to support the management of patients with macular disease.
KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Clinical
Undertake comprehensive assessment of patients, using a range of ophthalmic equipment
Initiate and/or undertake clinical investigations, where appropriate, i.e. visual acuity, applanation tonometry, OCT Scans, optometry referral, fluorescein angiography, including cannulation, in accordance with current protocols.
Establish diagnosis, within set guidelines, and record clinical findings using the department information systems e.g. MediSight and CareFlow and/or refer to the senior clinical colleagues as appropriate.
Obtain formal written consent for procedures carried out in the department following current principles and Trust policy on consent to treatment.
Work autonomously to carry out intravitreal injections, incorporating the use of Patient Group Directions, prescribing rights, agreed protocols and Working in New Ways packages.
Discharge patients following both local and Trust wide protocols.
Ensure thorough and accurate completion of patient written and electronic documentation, using electronic patient administration systems.
Act as a source of information and advice to patients, their relatives and other healthcare professionals/agencies.
Participate in the care of patients attending all ophthalmology clinics held in the macula clinic as required.
Professional Leadership.
Carry out formal and informal teaching within the hospital to a range of health care professionals and contribute to educational and training programmes as requested / appropriate.
Create a positive learning environment within clinical settings to encourage and facilitate individual and shared learning and professional development.
Participate, where appropriate, in the education of patients and the general public.
Maintain an awareness and understanding of relevant, up to date research studies within the clinical field.
Critically analyse and evaluate research findings and apply these to clinical practice.
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Participate in research studies in conjunction with the specialty team.
Take a supportive role in developing practice through specific research and audit projects.
Collect and analyse information related to patient and carer satisfaction and evaluation of the service.
Share and promote good practice through involvement with local groups, including presentations, publication and dissemination of role evaluation.
Respond and contribute to clinical governance initiatives including infection control audits.
Actively support the department in monitoring and improving quality through essence of care benchmarking and use of quality metrics.
Management
Coordinate the department on a rostered basis.
Maintain effective channels of communication with all members of the multidisciplinary team.
Contribute to the work of time limited committees and project groups.
Support clerical/admin staff when necessary by keeping patient information system updated e.g. admitting and discharging patients for day case laser treatment and completing outcomes for patients having retinal laser treatment as outpatients.
When co--ordinating the department ensure that all admin processes are being undertaken.
Professional Development
Following individual performance management, liaise with line managers on how identified training needs and development are to be met.
Ensure that one’s own practice is kept updated, using an acceptable model of clinical supervision.
The post holder will be expected to fulfil the professional expectations required of a registered nurse by the Nursing and Midwifery Council and the Trust. This will include taking every opportunity to expand his/her own practice in line with the principles contained within the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s document “The Code of Professional Conduct” (2002), adhering to the elements contained within this document, in particular those related to professional accountability and undergoing individual performance management to establish training needs and using clinical supervision as a means to update practice.
GENERAL DUTIES
In addition to the key job responsibilities detailed in this job description all employees at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust are expected to comply with the general duties detailed below:
Infection Control
To maintain a clean, safe environment, ensuring adherence to the Trust’s standards of cleanliness, hygiene and infection control.
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For senior/clinical managers the following statement must also be included
The post holder is accountable for minimising the risks of infections and for the implementation of the Code of Practice for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections as outlined in the Health Act 2006. This includes receiving assurance of risk and embedding evidence based practice into daily routines of all staff.
Safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults
Nottingham University Hospitals is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All staff and volunteers are therefore expected to behave in such a way that supports this commitment.
Information Governance
All staff have an individual responsibility for creating accurate records of their work and for making entries into and managing all NHS records effectively in line with the Health Record Keeping Policy and other Health Records and Corporate Records Management policies and procedures in order to meet the Trust’s legal, regulatory and accountability requirements.
Health and Safety
To take reasonable care to prevent injury to themselves or others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.
To co--operate fully in discharging the Trust policies and procedures with regard to health and safety matters.
To immediately report to their manager any shortcomings in health and safety procedures and practice.
To report any accidents or dangerous incidents to their immediate manager and safety representative as early as possible and submit a completed accident/incident form.
To use protective clothing and equipment where provided.
Whilst the aim of the Trust is to promote a co--operative and constructive view of health and safety concerns in the organisation, all staff must be aware that a wilful or irresponsible disregard for safety matters may give rise to disciplinary proceedings.
Governance
All staff are expected to actively participate in governance activities, to ensure that the highest standards of care and business conduct are in place and working to ensure the Trust operates in an effective, honest and open way.
Health and Wellbeing
Employees are expected to take all reasonable steps to look after both their physical health and mental health. To support employees to achieve this NUH offers a wide range of health and wellbeing activities and interventions. The full programme can be viewed at on the staff intranet.
Line managers are expected to encourage and support staff to look after their health and wellbeing, including the release of staff to attend health and wellbeing activities and interventions.
General Policies
This advert closes on Monday 15 Jan 2024