Ophthalmology Nurse Practitioner, Band 6

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical

Provide specialist ophthalmic nursing care to patients by delivering evidence-based, individualised patient care according to patients changing health care needs

Directly deliver, coordinate and supervise patient care, ensuring that the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care is of high standard, encompassing the Trust vision of best care for everyone

Deliver, demonstrate and supervise safe and appropriate care within a challenging and changing clinical environment, using highly specialised equipment and resources

Deliver specific ophthalmic procedures such as intravitreal injections, injections of botulinum toxin to muscles around the eye, fundus angiography and photodynamic therapy

Manage triage telephone referrals from GPs, Emergency Department, Minor Injury Units, optometrists and self-referring patients

Use communication skills in all aspects of patient assessment, care and support

Maintain visibility within the clinical area, role modelling high standards of care, evidence-based practice and effective leadership

Actively participate as a key member of the multidisciplinary workforce

Work collaboratively and cohesively with the multidisciplinary team to meet the needs of patients and their families and provide high standards of care

Take a key role and support the implementation of any clinical initiative

Work continuously to promote and support clinical training, education and development of other staff

Provide links between patients and other support networks through referrals

Management

Work alongside the Matron, Band 7 senior ophthalmology nurse practitioner, consultants and wider team to determine and deliver on strategic service objectives

Work within agreed standard operational procedures and support the development of new working practices as appropriate

Seek to eliminate / reduce any staff conflict and take any remedial and on-going action as appropriate

Manage any patient, relative or staff complaints in line with the Trust complaints procedure

Take responsibility for the health and safety of patients and relatives and contribute towards clinical and environmental risk assessments and risk reduction practices

Work in a manner that makes best use of available resources and aim to reduce unnecessary waste from a financial and environmental perspective

Leadership

Demonstrate a positive and pro-active approach to the on-going support and development of registered nurses and registered dental nurses and other staff members

Role model high standards of patient care, communication, commitment and organisation for others to follow

Actively support all agreed quality improvements within Ophthalmology services and link with other teams and services as appropriate within and outside of Trust.

Collaborate with local, network and national colleagues as appropriate to maintain shared best practice within Ophthalmology services

Actively participates in multidisciplinary meetings, acting as the patient advocate and providing clinical nurse specialist input

Work collaboratively with community agencies involved in supporting patients with sight loss

Communication, interpersonal skills, professionalism and personal qualities

Deliver complex and contentious information to large and small groups sometimes in clinical areas where staff may be reluctant to be involved.

Demonstrate an ability to work cohesively with all members of the Ophthalmology service

Communicates sensitive, confidential information to patients, taking in to account the need for empathy, reassurance and compassion

Demonstrate politeness, courtesy and sensitivity in providing compassionate care for patients, visitors, relatives and colleagues.

Demonstrate an ability to work under pressure and to agreed timescales

Take initiative and demonstrate a progressive, creative and forward-thinking approach

Act as a good role model for others to follow to include personal appearance and adherence to Trust uniform policy

Work in a manner to promote the Trust values and core objectives

Work within the Nursing and Midwifery Council code at all times

Maintain own professional development, mandatory training and Nursing and Midwifery Council l revalidation requirements

Always seek advice and support when required and encourage others to do the same

Research and audit

Work in a manner that promotes any audits or research taking place within Ophthalmology services or the wider Trust as appropriate

Promote and demonstrate the use of evidence-based practice and related policy, procedure and guidelines

Assist in the collection and reporting of data as appropriate to maintain key performance indicators

Education and training

In conjunction with the senior ophthalmology nurse practitioner, identify personal training and development needs through the Trust appraisal process

Maintain and continually develop knowledge, competence and skills required to perform the role effectively

Undertake all mandatory training appropriate to role

Support the training, education and development of staff within defined service as appropriate

Be actively involved in and support departmental education programmes

Develop the skills to supervise, mentor, support and educate less experienced and non-registered staff in the clinical practice setting

Improving safety, quality and developing practice

Work with staff undertaking audit and research projects. To be involved in making recommendations for changes to management practice and procedures and the implementation of those changes as appropriate.

Contribute to the Clinical Governance and Quality agenda by active participation in service initiatives, health and safety and risk management

Observe and follow safe and effective infection, prevention and control measures

Develop and share own knowledge with other members of the wider team both locally and nationally

Identify own development needs, aligning these to service requirements and personal aspirations. Proactively develop and improve own practice using all available resources

Understand and contribute to the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of standard operational procedures, policies, protocols and guidelines relevant to the defined service

Openly question and challenge strategic and operational practice in a constructive way so that standards of patient care are continually evaluated and improved.

Report incidents and escalate concerns as necessary

Physical, Mental & Emotional Effort & Working Conditions

Comply with Trust and departmental policies and procedures e.g. Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), Manual Handling, risk management, Data Protection Acts and patient confidentiality at all times

Required to utilise recognised manual handling techniques and guidelines

Will be expected to frequently manoeuvre patients / objects over 15 kg using appropriate aids

Will have exposure to, and will be required to follow policies and procedures pertaining to, infestations, bodily fluids, infection control, radiation and substances hazardous to health.

Will have regular exposure to distressing and emotionally demanding situations involving staff, patients and relatives

Will have regular exposure to patients displaying verbal and physical abuse

Will be required to concentrate for long periods of time

There will be an on-going requirement to maintain excellent standards of care whilst working under pressure in an ever-changing and challenging environment

Ensure a smart, professional image that enhances the public perception of the Trust and the professionalism of its staff

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Active registration with the Nursing Midwifery Council as a Registered Nurse
• Recognised teaching and assessing qualification
• Evidence of ongoing professional development through maintenance of professional portfolio and registration revalidation

Desirable

• Evidence of non-medical prescribing qualification or willingness to work towards
• Evidence of postgraduate Ophthalmic Qualification
• Management/leadership qualification or equivalent level of skill gained through experience
• MSC modules or willingness to work towards
• Completion of Silver Quality Improvement

Experience

Essential

• Evidence of experience of working in Ophthalmology
• Evidence of building effective working relationships with members of the multi-disciplinary team and other key stakeholders

Desirable

• Experience of undertaking audit/research

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of basic science, anatomy and physiology and symptoms of eye disease, including presentation, treatment and management of ophthalmic conditions
• Knowledge of ophthalmic drugs including its indication, side effects, adverse effects and potential interaction to other drugs
• A good understanding of clinical governance and incident reporting

Desirable

• Demonstrate an understanding of optics, refraction and biometry

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Proficiency on recognising ophthalmic emergencies
• Proficiency on cannulation and intravenous drug administration
• Self-motivated and able to work under own initiative and prioritise workload
• Demonstrates ability to use clinical reasoning skills and techniques to assess, plan, deliver and evaluate patient care

Desirable

• Proficiency on managing telephone triage for emergency eye conditions and general ophthalmic advice
• Proficiency on gaining written patient consent
• Proficiency on administering Botulinum Toxin for blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm
• Proficiency on pachymetry and visual fields

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Cheltenham General Hospital

Sandford Road

Cheltenham

GL53 7AN

Employer's website

https://www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)