Senior Staff Nurse for the Acute Eye Service

NHS; Carshalton; On-site; GBP 53,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS healthcare provider in Carshalton is seeking a Senior Staff Nurse for the Acute Eye Service. This pivotal role involves leading a team of nurses and support staff to deliver high-quality Ophthalmic care, managing patients with acute eye conditions. The ideal candidate will have a registered nursing background, relevant postgraduate qualifications, and experience in Ophthalmology. This position offers a salary range of £53,751 to £60,651, inclusive of HCAS, with opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Registered General Nurse with current registration.
• Evidence of Continuous Professional Development in Ophthalmology.
• Post Graduate Qualification in Ophthalmology required.
• Previous experience in Ophthalmology essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of nurses and support staff in Ophthalmic care.
• Independently assess, triage, and manage acute eye conditions.
• Ensure timely and effective delivery of emergency ophthalmic care.

Skills

Good verbal and written skills

Interpersonal & communication skills

Willingness to develop own practice

Education

Registered General Nurse

Evidence of CPD in Ophthalmology or acute eye service

Post Graduate Qualification in Ophthalmology

Job description

Go back Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust

Senior Staff Nurse for the Acute Eye Service

The closing date is 19 January 2026

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dynamic, experienced, and forward-thinking nurse to lead and enhance the Ophthalmology Acute Eye Service at Epsom and St Helier NHS Trust. This pivotal role offers the chance to contribute to the strategic and operational development of a busy and diverse multi-site service based at St Helier Hospital. The Ophthalmology department includes high-volume outpatient clinics, orthoptic services, pre-operative assessment, laser treatments, and dedicated ophthalmology operating theatres. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with the Senior Nursing Team, Service Managers, Orthoptic Lead, Ophthalmology Consultants, and the wider multidisciplinary team. Their primary focus will be to ensure consistent, high-quality patient care and to support and develop the nursing workforce to uphold and exceed standards of care and patient experience.

Main duties of the job

Senior Staff Nurse for the Acute Eye Service AES) is a pivotal leadership role responsible for the day-to-day management and clinical delivery of urgent and emergency Ophthalmic care. The postholder will lead a team of nurses, technicians, and support staff, working collaboratively with ophthalmologists, optometrists, and allied health professionals to provide a high-quality, patient-centred service. A key function of this role is to independently assess, triage, and manage patients presenting to the AES with a wide range of acute eye conditions, within their scope of practice. This role is essential in ensuring the timely and effective delivery of emergency ophthalmic care, promoting safety, efficiency, and a positive patient experience.

About us

St George's, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group cares for a population of four million people in South West London and North East Surrey.Our sites include St George's Hospital, one of 11 major trauma centres in the UK and the largest healthcare provider and major teaching hospital in the area; St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children; and Epsom Hospital, home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC).

After years of collaboration, our two Trusts became a hospitals group in 2021. While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education, and training of our 17,000-strong workforce.

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached supporting document which contains more information about the Senior Staff Nurse for the Acute Eye Service role at Epsom and St Helier.

Qualifications

• Registered General Nurse
• Evidence of CPD in Ophthalmology or acute eye service
• Post Graduate Qualification in Ophthalmology

Experience

• Previous experience in Ophthalmology

Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of Ophthalmic Anatomy, conditions, and treatment Competent in slit lamp examination, visual acuity and IOP measurement

Skills

• Good verbal and written skills
• Interpersonal & communication skills. Willingness to develop own practice

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.

Employer name

Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust

£53,751 to £60,651 a yearpa Inclusive of HCAS