Line Practitioner

Job overview

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Ophthalmology Nurse to join our dedicated team based across our South Sites locations, including Orpington Hospital and Queen Mary Hospital.

This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled practitioner to contribute to the delivery of high-quality, patient-centred care within a busy and evolving ophthalmology service. The successful candidate will play a key role in delivering intravitreal injection clinics, supporting Pre-Operative Assessment (POA) services, and working within Rapid Access and emergency ophthalmology pathways to ensure safe, effective, and compassionate care for our patients.

As a senior member of the team, you will lead a team and support the day-to-day coordination of clinical services, provide leadership and guidance to colleagues, and contribute to maintaining high standards of clinical practice.

Flexibility is essential, as the post holder will be required to work across both sites and support a range of planned and unplanned ophthalmology clinics in line with service demands.

We are looking for an individual who demonstrates specialist ophthalmic knowledge and skills, strong clinical leadership, excellent communication and problem-solving abilities, and a commitment to continuous professional development, evidence-based practice, and service improvement. Experience in delivering intravitreal injections is desirable; however, training and competency development will be supported for the right candidate.

Main duties of the job

• Deliver intravitreal injection sessions independently to a high clinical standard.
• Support service activity, including pre-operative assessment (POA) and emergency ophthalmology pathways.
• Coordinate and manage the clinical area when required, ensuring safe and effective patient flow.
• Support the multidisciplinary team, promoting effective communication, teamwork, and professional development.
• Provide clinical supervision, mentorship, and support to junior nurses, students, and ophthalmic technicians.
• Contribute to service development, quality improvement, and patient experience initiatives.
• Ensure patient safety, dignity and safe practice through adherence to Trust policies, your own practice, clinical guidelines, governance requirements, and infection prevention and control standards.
• Act as a role model for compassionate, inclusive, and patient-focused care.
• Motivate colleagues and support continuous service improvement.
• Be responsible for the safe custody, checking, and administration of medicines in accordance with Trust policy.

Working for our organisation

The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King’s to another level.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King’s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone’s contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust’s carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Practice

• To adhere to the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and adhere to this at all times.
• To demonstrate clinical expertise in the care of any patients receiving treatment in the ward/ department.
• To assess, plan, implement and evaluate the needs of patients on the Ward Onan ongoing basis, co-ordinating the care given by all members of the clinical team.
• To accurately assimilate and interpret clinical information about the patients’ condition, promptly report changes and instigate remedial action as appropriate.
• To act as a resource person to others, providing accurate information, advice and support to the multidisciplinary team, patients and their relatives.
• To ensure that accurate records are maintained reflecting both changes in the patient’s condition and the treatment delivered.
• To ensure that patients and their relatives are updated regularly with accurate information and ensure that this is presented in a way that they understand.
• To ensure that Clinical Guidelines are implemented and to be actively involved in auditing practice in conjunction with Line Manager and practice development staff.
• To ensure that practice is evidence based and with support assist in the development of policies and protocols within the clinical area.
• To uphold high standards of nursing care, according to existing policies and standards.
• To support the Ward Managers and Modern Matron in processes of continuous quality improvement, formally evaluating standards of care and assisting in the implementation of changes in the light of such findings.
• To contribute to the health education of patients and their families, ensuring that all patients receive appropriate advice and support to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
• To actively support the implementation of the Trust nursing strategy and uphold the ethos of the local philosophy.

Person specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential criteria

• 1st level Registered General Nurse with active UK NMC registration
• Further professional studies relevant to the clinical area
• Mentorship programme or equivalent teaching qualification

Desirable criteria

• Degree in Nursing or Equivalent

Skills and Competencies

Essential criteria

• Team building and working skills – able to lead a team to achieve results
• Communication skills – able to relate and communicate with patients and staff at all levels and from different professions. Adapts communication style as necessary and is able to work with and through others.

IMPORTANT

• Check your email account regularly as this is how we will communicate with you
• If you delete the job from any of your accounts, you may be prevented from accessing further communications
• To enquire about your application or inform us of any changes in your circumstances, please contact the named person on this advert
• Please provide email addresses for referees where possible
• Please review the documentation on our recruitment microsite, particularly the Trust’s criminal records checking policy
• All staff have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and for ensuring they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.
• Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. On occasion, we might close a vacancy early due to a high number of applications being received. You are advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

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• might not be specific or relevant enough to address the criteria in the recruitment profile
• often seem generic and not personalised enough – an AI response won’t show your unique voice and perspective
• could misrepresent information about you, such as your qualifications, skills and experience

We monitor applications for any behaviour that could create an unfair advantage, and we check all references carefully. You are likely to be tested on your experience at interview, so be honest and make sure all the information in your application is correct.

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