Ophthalmology Sister/Charge Nurse

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Part time

Job summary

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced Ophthalmology Sister/Charge Nurse to lead our ophthalmology team. The post focuses on delivering safe, patient-centred care across outpatient, treatment and diagnostic services.

You will work with the Senior Sister and multidisciplinary colleagues, developing junior staff and leading service improvements in a busy ophthalmic unit.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse (Adult) with current registration
• Degree in nursing or equivalent
• Evidence of post-registration education
• Evidence of a recognised Ophthalmic Nurse course
• First line management/leadership course
• Evidence of ongoing career development

Responsibilities

• Provide professional and managerial leadership to staff.
• Supervise and develop junior staff.
• Support ward manager and act as ward representative.
• Contribute to nursing practice review and service delivery.
• Deliver role modelling of high nursing standards and professionalism.

Skills

Communication

Ophthalmic nursing

Diplomacy & negotiation

Time management

Resource management

Problem solving

Clinical leadership

Audit & analysis

Teaching & presentation

Education

Nursing degree (Adult)

Post-registration education

Ophthalmic Nurse course

First line management course

Career development evidence

Job description

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Ophthalmology Sister/Charge Nurse

The closing date is 17 November 2026

Band 6 £39,959 - £48,117 per annum pro rata

Hours: 28 hours per week

All roles will be considered for flexible working

Are you an enthusiastic and motivated experienced ophthalmic trained nurse looking for the next step in your career? We are seeking a dynamic Band 6 Junior Sister/Charge Nurse to join our busy and forward-thinking Ophthalmology service.This is an exciting opportunity to develop your leadership and clinical skills within a specialist area, supporting the delivery of high-quality, patient-centred care across our outpatient, treatment, and diagnostic services. You will work closely with the Senior Sister, multidisciplinary team, and medical colleagues to ensure safe, effective, and compassionate care for our patients.The Ophthalmology Department is an offsite facility based in Central Milton Keynes. We have been in these new premises around 18 months.

If you have applied within the last six months please do not reapply.

Interview date: 30 November 2026

Main duties of the job

94% feel that their role makes a difference to patience and service users.'NHS Survey, 2024'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute

To provide effective, professional and managerial leadership to staff. To provide and maintain a high standard of nursing care. To supervise and develop the knowledge and skills of junior staff. To initiate/ facilitate developments in nursing in partnership with the ward manager. To be the ward representative in the absence of the ward manager. To work autonomously within their scope of professional conduct and in line with Trust policies. To assist the Senior Sister/ charge nurse in the review of nursing practice and service delivery. Provide clinical expertise in all the subspecialities. To role model high standards of nursing care and professionalism.

About us

Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.

As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.

We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre. We have just opened the Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards.

Further investment is underway, including the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.

Job responsibilities

The surgery division at MKUH, which covers specialties including theatres and the Intensive Care Unit, offers a variety of roles and opportunities, both clinical and non-clinical. The division are looking for passionate, enthusiastic and forward-thinking professionals to join the team.

MKUH is one of the leading hospitals in Europe for implementing robotics to assist in surgery, becoming the first in the continent to use the CMR Versius robot for gynaecological surgery. Since its introduction in 2019, the theatres team have completed over 500 surgical cases, the first hospital in the UK to reach this milestone, achieving this in March 2023.

As well as being an innovator in robotics, the Trust is proud to be part of the New Hospital Programme, with plans to expand and increase our surgical capacity to meet the health needs of our communities now and in the future.

With a leading benefits package, and a growing hospital estate to meet one of the fastest growing populations in the country, it is a great time to join MKUH.

ClinicalTo assess, plan, implement and evaluate care of patients, incorporating the standards and philosophy of the ward and evidence-based research. Organise method of care delivery within the ward/department, allocating, prioritising and delegating effectively. This includes responding to capacity and patient dependency requirements

ProfessionalTo demonstrate a professional approach to leadership and management of staff. To provide clinical support and advice to junior members of staff

ManagementTo be responsible for the day to day running of the ward in the absence of the ward manager. Promote effective communication within the nursing team, to patients, carers, visitors, members of the multi-disciplinary team and external agencies. Receiving and reporting sensitive information, as appropriate taking into account rules of confidentiality

Service ManagementTo assist, when necessary, with the definition of nursing standards and maintain the provision and effectiveness of those standards in line with clinical governance. The post holder will ensure that they are aware of all issues relating to Clinical Governance, Quality Assurance and Clinical Effectiveness and that they carry out their duties in accordance with these frameworks and standards.

EducationTo help to create and maintain an environment conducive to development and learning for all staff. To assist in identifying the need for and providing training/education in clinical nursing and managerial techniques to all grades of staff.

Person Specification

Qualifications and knowledge

• Registered Nurse (Adult)
• Degree in nursing or any other relevant discipline or equivalent experience
• Evidence of post registration education
• Evidence of a recognised Ophthalmic Nurse course
• First line management/leadership course
• Evidence of career development

Experience

• Relevant experience in clinical setting
• Evidence of regular shift management of a ward/clinical area
• Mentorship of student nurses
• Evidence of provision of high standards of care
• Evidence of management and leadership
• Experience in change management
• Evidence of staff development

Skills

• Excellent communication (verbal and written)
• Up to date advanced opthalmic clinical skills and knowledge
• Diplomacy and negotiation skills
• Effective time management
• Resource managementli>Ability to problem solve
• Self-motivated with the ability to work under pressure
• Audit and analysis experience
• Teaching and presentation skills

Personal and people development

• Experience in managing people
• Up to date with current issues in nursing
• Willingness to embark on further professional development

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.

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

£39,959 to £48,117 a yearper annum pro rata