About this role
Job summary
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.
About us With a new hospital planned for Watford, work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, this is an exciting time to join us. 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. Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others. 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 [email protected] If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form. We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Job description Job 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
Registered with relevant professional body MSc in advanced Practice Teaching & Assessing Qualification Non - Medical prescriber
Desirable
Leadership course ALS.
Knowledge Essential
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
Ability to operationalise strategies
Experience Essential
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
Experience obtained in more than one clinical setting. Research experience. Audit experience.
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship 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).
Employer details Employer name West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Address Watford General Hospital
Watford
WD18 0HB
United Kingdom
Employer's website http://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)