Senior Sister/Charge Nurse Ophthalmology

Senior Sister/Charge Nurse Ophthalmology

The closing date is 13 February 2026

Would you like to develop your leadership skills while delivering and supporting the delivery of high quality ophthalmic care in the Luton and Dunstable Hospital Ophthalmology Department. The Ophthalmology Department is friendly and welcoming to everyone. We have just been awarded silver in the trust accreditation process which demonstrates our passion and commitment to the provision of high quality safe ophthalmic care to our patients and their relatives, or carers. This is a crucial role, providing effective clinical, management and leadership to the nursing team. The post holder will be responsible for the everyday management of the ophthalmology clinical areas. They will be required to act as a role model, demonstrating strong leadership and clear and concise communication skills as liaising with the multidisciplinary team and stakeholders is required in this role. The post holder will also partake in specialist nurse led clinics so clinical experience is essential, and knowledge is a required. The post holder will work closely with matron, head of nursing, clinical lead and management to ensure the delivery of the highest quality, safe ophthalmic care to our patients.

Main duties of the job

The main duties are undertaking the management of the ophthalmology nursing team. Monitoring the capability, competence, sickness and absence of staff by following the Trust Policies. The post holder will need to liaise and communicate with the multidisciplinary teams within the organisation and with external stakeholders. Budget monitoring will also be a duty of the post. Partaking and undertaking specialist nurse led clinics is required. Please review the Job description which clearly sets out the main and key responsibilities required for this post.

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job

Job responsibilities

The job description and personal specification is attached to this job, please review for the full details and responsibilities. Overall the post holder is required to possess excellent ophthalmic knowledge and experience in leadership and the provision of ophthalmic care. Excellent communication and the ability to work collaboratively with all team members is key to this role.

Person Specification Qualifications

• Ophthalmic and prescribing qualifications
• RGN with current NMC Registration
• Undertaking or completed Ophthalmic Practitioner Training (OPT) Modules
• Certificated speciality courses

Experience

• Leadership experience at band 6
• Working as a senior nurse within Ophthalmology setting
• Undertaking nurse led clinics
• Independently triaging of ophthalmic patients

Knowledge

• Awareness of Current developments in Ophthalmic Nursing.
• Knowledge of Clinical Governance and clinical supervision.

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.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Depending on experience