Job summary
- Main area
- Ophthalmology
- Grade
- Band 8a
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 360-B-11408
- Employer
- West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Watford General Hospital
- Town
- Watford
- Salary
- £59,798 - £67,020 pa inc. HCA
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 21/06/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Band 8a - Advanced Practitioner, Ophthalmology
Band 8a
Job overview
We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Advanced Practitioner in Ophthalmology to join our Urgent Eye Service at Watford General Hospital.
This senior role combines advanced autonomous clinical practice with leadership and service development, ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality, patient-centred care.
You will independently assess, diagnose, treat, and manage patients while supporting and developing the wider team and shaping service improvements.
We are looking for an experienced, dynamic clinician with advanced ophthalmic skills, strong leadership capability, and a passion for innovation and quality improvement.
You should be confident working autonomously, committed to delivering excellent patient outcomes, and able to inspire and support others.
In return, you will join a supportive, forward-thinking Trust with a strong focus on staff wellbeing, professional development, and delivering excellent patient care, together.
This is an exciting opportunity to make a real impact in a progressive and patient-focused ophthalmology service.
Full time 37.5hrs, Monday to Friday. Occasional weekend work may be required to meet the needs of the service.
Main duties of the job
Independently manage patients in emergency eye and nurse-led clinics, including triage, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and discharge.
Undertake comprehensive ophthalmic assessments using specialist equipment (e.g., slit lamp, diagnostic lenses).
Request and interpret investigations and prescribe medications as a non-medical prescriber.
Act as an autonomous clinical expert and resource within ophthalmology.
Working for our organisation
We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare.
Staff wellbeing and development are a priority, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience.
We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance. www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking
If you have a disability or long-term health condition and require support or guidance please contact [email protected]
If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Provide leadership, support, and development for nursing and practitioner teams.
Contribute to service improvement, quality assurance, and clinical governance.
Lead on education, training, audit, and implementation of evidence-based practice.
Person specification
Education and qualifications
Essential criteria
- Registered with relevant professional body
- MSc in advanced Practice
- Teaching & Assessing Qualification
- Non – Medical prescriber
Desirable criteria
- Leadership course ALS.
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Clinical practice and demonstrable knowledge of developments in nursing policy & practice.
- Good understanding of risk and clinical governance.
- The NHS plan and delivering making a difference
- The importance of successful partnership working.
- Lifelong learning, professional education and training.
- Workforce planning, recruitment and retention.
Desirable criteria
- Ability to operationalise strategies
Experience
Essential criteria
- Significant experience managing ward / unit.
- Broad senior clinical and managerial experience relevant to the post.
- Success in working collaboratively.
- Cross professions and services
- Demonstrable success in managing change.
- Experience with the introduction of evidence-based practice.
- Project management.
Desirable criteria
- Experience obtained in more than one clinical setting.
- Research experience.
- Audit experience.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Alison East
- Job title
- Associate Director of Nursing Surgery
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07771500781
If you have problems applying, contact
- Address
-
Watford General Hospital
Vicarage Road
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD18 0HB
- Telephone
- 01442 365234
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