Ophthalmic Nurse Practitioner Band 7

We are looking for an Ophthalmic Nurse Practitioner who has experience in intravitreal injections, POA/Biometry and pre/postoperative review of patients who have undergone cataract surgery.
This position will clinically support the ophthalmology department and will be responsible for transforming the way in which we provide ophthalmology services at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital through application of Royal College and national recommendations such as Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) to deliver a sustainable and modern ophthalmology department.
Candidates who do not have experience in injections are welcomed to apply as well, but they will be remunerated at a Band 6 level. We will provide training in injections and upon successful completion/formal assessment the post holder will be uplifted to Band 7., The post holder is responsible for the delivery of safe, effective care leading to an excellent experience for patients and carers by:
+ Being responsible for the strategic delivery of high quality patient centred care within the speciality along with supporting the ambitions of the Trusts core objectives and strategies
+ Be responsible for setting the standards within the clinical team and for ensuring that the environment allows the workforce to feel supported to deliver safe and effective care
+ Review patient pathways ensuring that patients experience a positive experience while under our care, which also drives effectiveness and efficiency in service delivery
+ Lead as a driver for change, monitoring and improving standards through supervision, evidence based practice, clinical audit, research and education.
+ Lead in ensuring that the workforce has the skills and knowledge to continuously evolve the service to meet the needs of our patients via research and education, 1. Works independently in designated Nurse led clinics across the trust, utilising clinical reasoning skills and evidence-based knowledge in the management of patients with complex presentations.
2. Works in partnership with individuals, families and carers, using a range of assessment methods as appropriate (e.g. of history-taking, holistic assessment, identifying risk factors, mental health assessments, requesting, undertaking and/or interpreting diagnostic tests, and conducting health needs assessments)
4. Interpret and analyse complex clinical and non- clinical facts to provide expert advice and opinions to health care professionals including when views may differ and conflict. This process includes the formulation of an accurate prognosis and recommending appropriate intervention.
5. Be clinically competent with the ability to use expert skills, analytical reasoning in order to be able to diagnose, manage and treat patients within the service and recognise when patients require onward referral to ophthalmic clinical colleagues.
6. Use expert theoretical and practical knowledge to coordinate referrals internally and externally.
7. Demonstrate highly developed sensory skills, dexterity, co-ordination and precision essential for the assessment and management of patients including advanced patient assessment and examination and the use of complex, specialised intervention
8. Monitor, evaluate and review specialty nursing practice and to modify approaches to clinical care as required providing assurance to nursing leadership and ophthalmic medical colleagues.
9. Collaborate with the multi-professional team to monitor disease progression in patients with ophthalmic conditions.
10. Challenge practice so that the best and most appropriate treatment is given to the patient; maintaining and monitoring high standards of care, recognising and responding proactively to patients' changing clinical needs.
11. Maintain professional competence, authority and credibility and that of the nursing team by undertaking regular clinical sessions in line with your job plan and being highly visible to patient's carers and staff, actively seeking feedback about the quality of services. Collaborate in the establishment and monitoring of protocols/care pathways.
12. Critically apply your clinical expertise to provide consultancy across professional and service boundaries, influencing clinical practice to enhance quality, reduce unwarranted variation and promote the sharing and adoption of best practice.
13. Actively participate in case discussions and multi-disciplinary team meetings, liaise with inter hospital departments/ personnel across organisations and professional boundaries.
14. Be conversant with trust policies, procedure and systems for safeguarding including the assessment of Mental Capacity, the process for consideration requests for Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS) and the application of the principles of Prevent (counter terrorism awareness). Provide advice and support in implementing the appropriate policies and procedures.
15. Lead the speciality in undertaking non-medical independent prescribing, in accordance with current legislation and Patient Group Directions (PGD's) in order to meet our patients need and those of the service.
16. Lead on and participate in key developments relating to the ophthalmic speciality so that high quality patient focused services are promoted
17. Lead in ensuring that health education and advice to patients is evidence based and meet the needs of our cohort of patients i.e. sensory impairment.
18. Identify and care for deteriorating patients and take the appropriate action to manage the situation, liaising with the multi-disciplinary team and external care providers as appropriate.
19. Use professional judgement to intercede and act as advocate for patients to ensure a patient focused approach to the delivery of care.
20. Support and enable patients and carers to make informed decision relating to their treatment and management, escalate concerns within professional structures as required.
21. Have accountability for the correct administration and custody of medicines according to the trust policy to include the safe administration of medicines, controlled, intravenous and cytotoxic drugs.
Professionalism & Integrity
1. Be fully conversant and wholly accountable for your own practice and maintaining your professional registration in line with the NMC Code of Professional Standards of Practice and Behaviour for Nurses, Midwives and Nursing Associates (current version).
2. Recognise the limits of individual competence and knowledge undertake and complete further training and academic qualifications as relevant to the role and service requirements.
3. Provide and accept constructive feedback and use this to reflect on your own practice.
4. Recognise signs of stress and the emotional impact of care on self and others and take appropriate action, escalating to line manager as required.
5. Promote an ethos of joint working, collaboration and mutual respect amongst all members of staff.
6. Act with personal and professional integrity within professional, ethical and legal frameworks and process to maintain and improve standards of care and practice.
7. Articulate the significance and potential impact of government policies as they relate to practice and future developments.
8. Take responsibility and maintain professional records of personal updates (portfolio of practice) to support revalidation. Be actively involved in professional development discussions and personal development plan as part of your annual appraisal
9. Adhere to all trust policies, procedures, guidelines and standards, ensuring a high standard of personal and professional behaviour and dress is maintained at all times whilst acting as an ambassador for the trust.
10. Act as a positive model at all times in promoting the personal growth of self, peers and junior colleagues.
11. Lead on and contribute to local, regional and national policy developments. Actively seek opportunities to influence National policy development through clear and precise articulation of patient and service requirements/needs.
12. Maintain professional boundaries and working relations with patients and colleagues, appropriately declaring any conflict of interest.
13. Diffuses challenging behaviour, ensuring that the situation is managed in a sensitive and professional manner.
14. The post holder may be deployed/expected to work in any part of the organisation should the need arise to ensure patient safety is maintained.

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites-Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital-along with award-winning clinics across North West London.
Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5 million, providing full clinical services, including maternity, A&E, and children's services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health clinics. The Care Quality Commission rates us 'Good' in safety, effectiveness, care, and responsiveness, and 'Outstanding' in leadership and resource use.
We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and Westminster and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex.
We welcome applications for flexible working arrangements, accommodating requests where possible to support our staff and patient needs.
The Trust is committed to equality and welcomes applications from all, regardless of background. Adjustments can be made for disabled candidates. Early application is advised as vacancies may close once sufficient applications are received. If you haven't heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, your application was likely unsuccessful. Employment is subject to a six-month probationary period.

+ Please check your emails regularly as this is how we will communicate with you throughout the recruitment process.
+ If you have not heard from us within 3 weeks after the closing date, we regret that this usually means your application was not successful.
+ In submitting an application, you authorise the Trust to confirm any previous NHS service details via the Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process, should you be appointed to the post.
+ During the recruitment process your identity documentation (ie passport, driving licence, visa etc) will be scanned using a device which recognises UV, infrared and machine-readable zone security features of the documents provided.
+ Employment at the Trust is offered subject to successful completion of a six month probationary period.