Sister/Charge Nurse - Accident & Emergency

Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

The post holder will be responsible for actively contributing to the continuing development of the ophthalmic nursing role within the Accident and Emergency Department and General Ophthalmology clinic.

The post holder will carry out the assessment, planning and provision of specialist ophthalmic nursing advice and undertake specialist nursing procedures ensuring that all patients receive the highest standards of care.

After training and supervision, they will be given the opportunity to participate in independent management of designated patients as an Emergency Nurse Practitioner.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will provide comprehensive care and support for patients in our dedicated ophthalmic A&E in the City Road branch of Moorfields Eye Hospital.

The post holder will carry out the assessment, planning and provision of specialist ophthalmic nursing advice and undertake specialist nursing procedures ensuring that all patients receive the highest standards of care.

After training and supervision, they will be given the opportunity to participate in independent management of designated patients as an Emergency Nurse Practitioner. The post holder is required to lead and manage the day-to-day effective running of the department to ensure the highest standards of patient care delivery.

The post holder will take lead, participate, and undertake risk assessments, audits, research, and training development to ensure evidence-based practice. The post holder must be flexible and adaptable in their approach to work.

About us

At Moorfields, we provide more than just an excellent career and great colleagues to work with.

We also offer:

• Salary including High-Cost Area Supplement
• Opportunity to join the NHS Pension Scheme
• Free 24/7 independent counselling service
• Learning and development opportunities
• Easy and quick transport links
• A range of attractive benefits and discounts
• Access to Blue Light Card and other NHS Discount Schemes
• Free Pilates classes
• Full support and training to develop your skills
• Flexible working friendly organisation

And so much more! To see the full range of benefits we offer please see our Moorfields benefits document.

Job responsibilities

To work with the A&E Matron and senior nursing team to lead the department as an expert ophthalmic clinical practitioner, ensuring that staff have the appropriate skills necessary to care for the designated patient group at any point on the patient pathway.

Work autonomously as an independent Ophthalmic Emergency Nurse practitioner within protocols. This includes undertaking the total clinical management of patients from assessment to discharge as an independent nurse practitioner. Communicating findings to GPs by letter and when necessary, by phone and referring patients to the medical team when required.

Lead on the provision of evidence-based nursing practice.

Be responsible for the assessment of care needs, development, implementation, and evaluation of high standards of nursing care.

Be conversant with Trust Policies and guidelines and ensure compliance.

Investigate and respond to complaints both written and verbal. Report information and findings back to the Nurse Manager.

Facilitate a high-quality, cost-effective specialist service through monitoring and audit and other quality initiatives agreed by the Trust.

Lead on and participate in key developments relating to the ophthalmic speciality so that high quality patient focused services are promoted.

Attend and participate in multi-professional team meetings.

To ensure that the learning environment and specialist training is provided for the benefit of all staff and that evidence-based practice is incorporated and utilised in the teaching environment.

Undertake any training or educational courses conversant with role such as non-medical prescribing.

To ensure that staff's mandatory training is kept up to date.

To act as an advisor to junior staff in their roles as mentors, assessors, and preceptors.

Support and participate in education and training programmes and develop training programmes as required.

To assist the A&E Matron and Nurse Manager in developing a culture that is challenging, stimulating, rewarding and supportive.

To be responsible for developing and sustaining own knowledge, clinical skills, and professional awareness in accordance with PREP requirements and to maintain a professional profile.

To undertake annual appraisals for staff and ensure own appraisal and personal development.

Take an active role in performance management of staff when necessary.

Promote and undertake nursing research updating own knowledge to promote excellence in clinical practice.

To work with the Practice Development Team in the development and implementing of evidence-based practice.

Utilise research findings in the delivery of specialist patient care, developing new ways of working and to disseminate relevant information to staff.

To assist in the development and implementation of nursing practice guidelines, standards, and policies.

Participate and contribute to audit and research within the speciality in collaboration with colleagues.

Provide a leadership role model and demonstrate specialist knowledge and high standards of clinical practice and provide support or advice when necessary.

Develop the role according to patients' changing needs and research findings, within the resources available.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Degree Level Qualification
• Registered Nurse Level 1 (Adult)
• Relevant clinical post-registration Ophthalmic qualification.
• Recognised clinical teaching qualification (mentorship)
• Management training Course/Leadership Course
• oMSc or equivalent practical experience

Clinical Experience

• Previous ophthalmic experience at Band 6 level
• Experience in assessing and caring for patients in an ophthalmic emergency setting
• Experience in delivering evidence-based practice
• Demonstrates an understanding of the role of an independent Nurse Practitioner and has experience in this role.
• Assess, diagnosis, management, and Treatment of common Ocular emergencies.
• Interpretation Optical Coherent Tomography (OCT) and visual Field Test
• Able to prioritise own workload and that of others.
• Able to work towards set targets and enable others to do so.
• Able to work on/under own initiative.
• Demonstrates awareness of importance of working as part of a team.
• Demonstrates understanding of research-based practice.
• Able to take charge and delegate duties and manage a team of nurses.

Skills

• Can independently assess, diagnose, and manage common ocular emergencies using relevant equipment in an emergency ophthalmic care setting.
• Can demonstrate the ability to teach staff to carry out ophthalmic assessment, diagnosis and management of eye conditions.
• Demonstrates evidence of ongoing professional development and commitment to act as preceptor/facilitator.
• Demonstrates evidence of ability to educate others.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the importance of regular appraisal and has experience in performance management.

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.

Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

£54,320 to £60,981 a year per annum incl. HCAS