Staff Nurse - Eye Short Stay Unit

Staff Nurse - Eye Short Stay Unit

The closing date is 05 March 2026

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job

An exciting opportunity has become available for a band 5 registered nurse to join our Ophthalmology Eye short stay unit. We are seeking dynamic, motivated, and enthusiastic nurses to become part of our friendly and supportive team. The unit cares for patients from across Hampshire, the Channel Islands, and neighbouring eye units requiring specialist support.

We are committed to supporting professional development; ophthalmic experience is not an essential requirement, however a devotion to develop and learn is paramount. We have a dedicated education team who supports training needs and development opportunities.

Ophthalmology is a rapidly evolving specialty, and the Eye Short Stay Unit delivers both day case and inpatient services, therefore we require full flexibility to support shifts to cover the service, including weekdays, weekends, twilights and nights. Successful applicants will join a diverse, supportive team that many describe as a second family. We welcome highly motivated, pro active, trustworthy, and professional Band 5 nurses with an interest in Ophthalmology.

If you are interested, we strongly encourage arranging an informal visit with the department managers.

About us

University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.

Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalizing your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

At UHS we're committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.

At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognizing that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We're committed to creating an anti racist, anti discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.

Job responsibilities What you'll do

• Provide a high standard of individualised care
• Coordinate all aspects of care delivery
• Work with all members of the multi disciplinary team to ensure treatments are carried out within agreed policies
• Coordinate the arrangements for the successful discharge of patients

What we're looking for

In addition to clinical duties you will communicate effectively and share knowledge, skill and expertise with other members of the team as required for the benefit of patients and clients. Working with the nursing team you will provide supervision both directly and indirectly to members of the team, identifying and supporting their learning needs.

We are looking for a dynamic and motivated nurse with an interest in Ophthalmology. You will be given the required training and opportunity for development within the eye unit which will allow you to independently manage patients with acute and chronic eye conditions and pre and postoperative patients.

The eye short stay unit is an excellent environment to experience inpatient, surgical and day case pathways. There are also great opportunities to develop leadership skills within a supportive environment. We are looking for individuals who are empathetic, passionate, and able to work both independently and collaboratively.

Person Specification Qualifications, knowledge and experience

• Qualified Nurse (Degree/Diploma)
• Registered nurse on appropriate part of the register
• Knowledge of current issues within acute Health Service
• Understanding of personal accountability
• Knowledge of own role within the team
• Provide evidence of teaching and supporting learners in practice in the role of practice supervisor
• Awareness of evidence based practice
• Awareness of responsibilities for management of infection control
• Evidence of on going personal development
• Able to use initiative
• Evidence of recent study
• Previous experience/qualification in relevant specialty
• Teaching experience

Trust Values

• Working Together
• Always Improving

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.

University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust

£31,049 to £37,796 a year
Per annum - Pro rata