Ophthalmic Nurse Practitioner

NHS; Chichester; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Chichester is seeking an experienced Ophthalmic Nurse Practitioner to manage patient care, lead nurse-led clinics, and provide specialized ophthalmology services. The ideal candidate will be a registered general nurse with significant post-registration experience in ophthalmology, capable of developing and implementing treatment plans. This position offers a salary range of £38,682 to £46,580 per annum pro rata, with full training and support provided.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the delivery of patient care in designated specialist areas.
• Work on own initiative to undertake a wide range of duties relating to ophthalmology.
• Devise individual patient-led treatment plans using clinical reasoning.
• Ensure all documentation is complete and accurate.

Skills

Basic Visual Assessment

Management of a team

Understanding of an Optical Coherance Tomography

Slit Lamp Examination

Goldmanns Appplanation Tonometry

Education

Registered General Nurse

Degree/Diploma level with significant post-registration experience

Ophthalmology Experience more than 2 years

Mentorship level 6 (degree level) or equivalent

Ophthalmic nurse intravitreal injection course

Ophthalmic nurse glaucoma course

Job description

Overview

Go back University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Ophthalmic Nurse Practitioner

The closing date is 24 September 2025

We have an exciting opportunity has risen within the Ophthalmic Nurse Practitioner team.

This can be considered as a job share.

Full support and training will be provided and full expectation to complete the nurse injection course alongside Glaucoma and Plastics pathway courses. Training provided will be in line with the Royal College Guidelines OPT Framework

Main duties of the job

The Ophthalmic Nurse Practitioner (ONP) will be a senior member of the ophthalmic team and will be responsible for running nurse led clinics (Primary Care / AMD injection/ Glaucoma/ Plastics). This role will be an intrinsic part of the service based in University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (UHS).

The ONP will be responsible for the management of high quality and timely care of patients attending the Intravitreal Injection service/ The Glaucoma service and the plastics team. The post holder will role model complex clinical care, consistent with evidenced based best practice.

The ONP will also work within all other areas of the Ophthalmology department (Out-patients and Pre-assessment)

The ONP will foster a climate of audit, research, innovation and clinical excellence through advanced clinical practice and multidisciplinary working.

They will also develop and lead nurse-led clinic services and alongside the Lead consultants in the development of clinical services in order to enhance the services delivered by the ophthalmic department.

About us

At UHSussex we're proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK's largest acute Trusts, we're a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal - to always put our Patient First. In fact our mission is summed up by our 'where better never stops' motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We\'re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

Job responsibilities

• Responsible and accountable for the delivery of patient care in the designated specialist areas Ophthalmic OPD & A/E and to influence practice within the MDT.
• Work on own initiative to undertake a wide range of duties relating to ophthalmology, backed up by professional skills and knowledge, including being able to respond in the event of an adverse reaction, and safely discharge patients.
• The post holder will practice autonomously and support and empower all healthcare workers and patients, by providing leadership, delegating responsibility, authority and accountability on ophthalmology management issues by the provision of education, expert advice and clinical expertise. This involves the assessment and treatment of patients, who may have challenging ophthalmology symptoms, in the outpatient department following referral of patients from both primary and secondary care.
• Be highly skilled and competent in the comprehensive assessment of patients using theoretical knowledge and a wide range of experience to assess needs and administer care to support recovery.
• The Ophthalmic Nurse Practitioner will be responsible for administering independent assessments of patients in all nurse led clinics.
• Devise individual patient-led treatment plans using clinical reasoning, current evidence and a wide range of treatment skills.
• Develop nurse-led clinics, and other expanded/practitioner role procedures, approved by the Trust.
• Co-ordinate interventions which may include other disciplines through case management, multidisciplinary team meetings, integrated teams within the hospital and in the community and goal setting meetings.
• Ensure all documentation is complete and accurate and that all information is stored and maintained appropriately by keeping databases and records updated.
• Answer patient advice line by triaging calls and offering assistance to patients undergoing therapies.
• Plan and implement sessions of care based on sound theoretical knowledge and evidence.
• Ensure the use of a clinical governance framework and resources to guide practice, participating in supervision and reflection on clinical practice.
• Bring excellent clinical judgemental skills to the analysis and interpretation of a range of clinical options regarding patient care.

Clinical: Core Nursing/ Health Professional Responsibilities

• Responsible for the assessment, planning, implementation of care and discharge. Interprets data relevant to the patients condition and progress.
• Identifies patient problems and needs with the patient, their carers, senior nursing staff and other staff as appropriate.
• Identify the priorities of care for patients and realistic goals for their care plans.
• Participate in the control, storage and competent administration of drugs and treatments as prescribed according to the NMC guidelines and the Trusts Guidelines for the Safe and Secure Handling of Medicines. Works within patient group directive.

-- Please see Job Description & Person Specs for further information --

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Registered General Nurse
• Degree/Diploma level, with significant post-registration experience
• Ophthalmology Experience more than 2 years
• Mentorship level 6 (degree level) or equivalent
• ophthalmic nurse intravitreal injection course
• ophthalmic nurse glaucoma course

Skills

• Basic Visual Assessment
• Management of a team
• Understanding of an Optical Coherance Tomography
• Slit Lamp Examination
• Goldmanns Applination Tonometry

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.

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.

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

£38,682 to £46,580 a yearper annum pro rata