Job summary
We would welcome applicants to join our dynamic eye emergency team in a nurse specialist role and combing this with the responsibilities of junior sister. Working in a fast paced specialist area you would be trained and supported to achieve competence in triage, ophthalmic assessments, diagnosing and treating urgent eye conditions.
You will have the competence to exercise clinical autonomy as you will be responsible for the review of eye emergency patients independently overseeing their care; assessing planning, implementing, evaluating and discharging of patient care. This will include history taking, physical examination and the requesting of diagnostic procedures and clinical investigations.
- Interview Date: 16th September 2025
- 37 hours 30 minutes/week
- You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.
NO AGENCES PLEASE
Main duties of the job
Other aspects of the role include;
To work in a fast-paced eye emergency department which operates over a 6 day week.
To maintain high standards of patient care.
To work alongside the team but as an autonomous practitioner.
To see a fluctuating caseload of patients dependent on service demand.
To become confident in identifying and treating a variety of ophthalmic conditions in sub specialties.
To support and coach colleagues as a senior member of the team.
To support the department manager, using leadership skills and organizational skills to maintain high standards in the department.
To educate and train others in emergency eye conditions.
About us
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Our staff oversee around 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:
o Freeman Hospital
o Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)
o Health Innovation Neighbourhood (on the former Newcastle General Hospital and Centre for Ageing and Vitality site)
o Newcastle Dental Hospital
o Newcastle Fertility Centre
o Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria
o Northern Genetics Service
o Cramlington Manor Walks
These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.
We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under 'Documents to download' or 'Supporting documents'.
For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To examine and treat patients as appropriate to skill/ training level.
- To ensure compliance with our clinical governance framework.
- To be adaptable to the needs of the service depending on the variety of patients attending.
- To continue to enhance existing skills; learn new skills.
- The role will require you to assist in service improvement and development.
- Provide specialist advice to support and facilitate high quality, individualised care to patients and relatives/carers without supervision in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team in line with local and national targets.
- The specialist role will involve dealing with complex situations and having to take appropriate action in an acute setting.
- To provide education and training to colleagues and primary care areas.
- Set, monitor, and evaluate standards of care in partnership with other members of the team to ensure deliver of holistic care and planning future developments with ophthalmology.
- To develop skills to assess and interpret specialist information within ophthalmic diagnosis and take appropriate action based on protocols.
- Undertake clinical procedures that require dexterity and accuracy, including slit-lamp skills examination, fundoscopy and gonioscopy
- Will be responsible for organising eye emergency staff within the requirements of the team allocations and work plan.
- To be confident in triaging urgent patients and make clinical decisions independently.
- Maintain and develop skills and knowledge relevant to the speciality of ophthalmology and act as a role model to help colleagues develop knowledge and skills.
- Work in conjunction with Senior sisters to ensure smooth running of the department and deputise in the absence of senior sister
Job Purpose
- The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust define a nurse specialist as a qualified nurse where the primary purpose of role is to provide guidance and support based on advanced level knowledge to patients, carers and health professionals concerning a specific disease/condition.
- Within the sphere of specialist practice:
- Is working towards advanced knowledge and skills within specialist sphere of practice.
- Contributes to the facilitation of the planning, delivery and evaluation of care pathways for a designated group of patients.
- Support the development of nursing practice within the specialist field and contribute to the body of nursing knowledge.
- Contributes to training and education within specialist area
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To examine and treat patients as appropriate to skill/ training level.
- To ensure compliance with our clinical governance framework.
- To be adaptable to the needs of the service depending on the variety of patients attending.
- To continue to enhance existing skills; learn new skills.
- The role will require you to assist in service improvement and development.
- Provide specialist advice to support and facilitate high quality, individualised care to patients and relatives/carers without supervision in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team in line with local and national targets.
- The specialist role will involve dealing with complex situations and having to take appropriate action in an acute setting.
- To provide education and training to colleagues and primary care areas.
- Set, monitor, and evaluate standards of care in partnership with other members of the team to ensure deliver of holistic care and planning future developments with ophthalmology.
- To develop skills to assess and interpret specialist information within ophthalmic diagnosis and take appropriate action based on protocols.
- Undertake clinical procedures that require dexterity and accuracy, including slit-lamp skills examination, fundoscopy and gonioscopy
- Will be responsible for organising eye emergency staff within the requirements of the team allocations and work plan.
- To be confident in triaging urgent patients and make clinical decisions independently.
- Maintain and develop skills and knowledge relevant to the speciality of ophthalmology and act as a role model to help colleagues develop knowledge and skills.
- Work in conjunction with Senior sisters to ensure smooth running of the department and deputise in the absence of senior sister
Job Purpose
- The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust define a nurse specialist as a qualified nurse where the primary purpose of role is to provide guidance and support based on advanced level knowledge to patients, carers and health professionals concerning a specific disease/condition.
- Within the sphere of specialist practice:
- Is working towards advanced knowledge and skills within specialist sphere of practice.
- Contributes to the facilitation of the planning, delivery and evaluation of care pathways for a designated group of patients.
- Support the development of nursing practice within the specialist field and contribute to the body of nursing knowledge.
- Contributes to training and education within specialist area
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Meets Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) requirements for mentorship if relevant to role
- Evidence of on-going continuous professional development
- Knowledge and understanding of relevant NHS policy or project specific policy context
- Has understanding / experience of adult / child safeguarding
- Understanding of Emergency Eye conditions and treatment
Desirable
- Understanding of basic Neuro Ophthalmology
Skills
Essential
- Good IT skills
- Effective report writing skills
- Able to work independently and as a member of a team
- Effective organisation and time management skills
Desirable
- Change management skills and involvement in project work
Experience
Essential
- Some post registration experience within related specialist area of practice
- Extended clinical practice underpinned by training and assessment
Desirable
- Research or audit experience
- Evidence of contribution towards education and training programmes
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse (appropriate to branch)
- Current NMC registration
- Diploma plus specialist qualifications / experience within specialist area; prepared to take degree level study
Desirable
- Degree in health related subject
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Meets Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) requirements for mentorship if relevant to role
- Evidence of on-going continuous professional development
- Knowledge and understanding of relevant NHS policy or project specific policy context
- Has understanding / experience of adult / child safeguarding
- Understanding of Emergency Eye conditions and treatment
Desirable
- Understanding of basic Neuro Ophthalmology
Skills
Essential
- Good IT skills
- Effective report writing skills
- Able to work independently and as a member of a team
- Effective organisation and time management skills
Desirable
- Change management skills and involvement in project work
Experience
Essential
- Some post registration experience within related specialist area of practice
- Extended clinical practice underpinned by training and assessment
Desirable
- Research or audit experience
- Evidence of contribution towards education and training programmes
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse (appropriate to branch)
- Current NMC registration
- Diploma plus specialist qualifications / experience within specialist area; prepared to take degree level study
Desirable
- Degree in health related subject
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.
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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
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. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
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. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
