Band 6 Clinical Nurse Specialist - Ophthalmology

Job summary

In partnership with members of the multidisciplinary team, the post holder will work as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in the delivery of medical retina care, across 4 hospital sites within the Trust.

The post holder will develop individual competence and knowledge which will support the provision and evaluation of seamless specialist medical retina services across the organisation, ensuring patients receive the highest standards of clinical care.

You will develop specialist knowledge, skills and competence which will be demonstrated through the provision of advice/education and support to staff, patients, families and carers.

You will be supported by experienced specialist nurses and Medical Retina Practitioners to enable you to achieve competence in agreed areas of specialist practice through exposure, training and education.

Main duties of the job

Following clinical supervision and training supported by competency sign off, the post holder will administer intravitreal injection treatment in adherence to clinical protocols and NICE guidance.

The post holder will practice under the direction of the Service Lead guidance and undertake post-operative cataract assessments where appropriate.

The post holder will be responsible for their ongoing development and training needs in adherence to Trust policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines.

You are accountable for safe, effective clinical practice working as part of a defined team, supporting team performance, ensuring efficient and effective use of physical and human resources, and will also provide/deliver a range of educational and training packages to health care staff and patients.

About us

We are recognised as one of the leading NHS Foundation Trusts in the UK. Our vision is to Build Healthier Lives, and we recognise that we need incredible staff to do this.

Our commitment to our staff is to create the best place for them to work, and we are dedicated to:

1. Investing in the health and wellbeing of our staff, including a commitment of offering flexible working where we can;
2. Offering our staff a wide variety of training and development opportunities, to support their personal and career development objectives.

UHB is committed to ensuring that our staff are treated fairly and feel that they belong, by creating a kind and inclusive environment. This is about equity of opportunity; removing all barriers, including discrimination and ensuring each individual member of staff reaches their true potential, achieves their ambitions and thrives in their work. This is more than words. We are taking action. Our commitment to an inclusive culture is embedded at all levels of the organisation where every voice is heard, driven by our diverse and active staff networks, and at Board level by the Fairness Taskforce led by our CEO. We nurture a culture which empowers staff to challenge discriminatory behaviours and to enable people to bring their 'whole self' to a kinder, more connected and bold place to work.

University Hospitals Birmingham is a Smoke-Free premises hospital.

Date posted: 14 April 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 6

Salary: £37,338 to £44,962 a year

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number: 304-9008017

Job locations: Trustwide, Mindelsohn Way, Birmingham, West Midlands, B15 2TH

Person Specification

Qualifications Essential

• Professional Registration (GOC, NMC, HCPC)
• Evidence of post registration CPD / Post registration qualification i.e.: ENB 346 or equivalent (OCCCF) / Medical Retina (Professional Certificate) or equivalent experience with a commitment to undertake

Desirable

• Non-Medical Prescriber/ Supplementary prescriber / willingness to undertake - where applicable to the role

Experience Essential

• Significant experience working at band 5 level or equivalent as an Optometrist/Orthoptist/Registered Nurse within a background in treating patients with eye-related disorders and conditions
• Evidence of the ability to revalidate as required by (GOC, NMC, HCPC)
• Evidence of achievements and career development in current post and of ongoing professional development/ competence
• Demonstrate expert knowledge underpinned by theory and CPD relevant to speciality
• Experience and enthusiasm for developing educational programmes and teaching/assessing and supervising others in a clinical setting
• Working in a multi-disciplinary and cross-agency work environment

Desirable

• Extensive experience of working autonomously at a specialist level in ophthalmology with eye-related disorders associated with the post applied for
• Experience of delivering change management both personally and as a facilitator
• Experience in service development
• Experience of patient service user advocacy role

Additional Criteria Essential

• Ability to explain the requirement to balance clinical caseload
• Good standard of written/spoken English
• Ability to communicate with a wide range of health care professionals, on a variety of complex and sensitive issues which require persuasive and empathetic skills
• Ability to work autonomously, manage/prioritise own workload, supervise/appraise and assess junior staff
• Competent in a range of clinical skills relevant to the specified post including (but not inclusive of): Anterior segment examination using the slit lamp, Interpretation of ocular coherence topography
• Ability to work under pressure across competing priorities
• Ability to undertake clinical audit, analyse information and develop robust measurable action plans to support improvement/change
• Evidence of ability to compile reports and documents for internal/external communication
• Knowledge of current evidence-based practice and ability to apply to service and policy development
• Ability to use Electronic Patient Record systems and input data across a range of digital platforms
• Ability to identify professional development needs
• Ability to work as a core member of the multidisciplinary team
• Willingness to travel to different practice settings across UHB on/off site associated with the service requirements
• Ability to adapt behaviour to changing circumstances
• Positive and enthusiastic attitude
• Ability to communicate articulately and motivate others
• Evidence of flexible and innovative approach to service delivery and development.
• Ability to work a varied shift pattern where required
• Ability to act on own initiative

Desirable

• Administering Intravitreal treatments
• Fundoscopy - use of condensing lens
• Goldman Tonometry

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.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details

Employer name: University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Trustwide, Mindelsohn Way, Birmingham, West Midlands, B15 2TH

Employer's website: https://www.uhb.nhs.uk/jobs.htm