Job summary
- Main area
- Ophthalmology
- Grade
- Band 5
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Part time - 34 hours per week (working over 5 days)
- Job ref
- 210-2025-450
- Employer
- Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Countess of Chester Hospital
- Town
- Chester
- Salary
- £31,049 - £37,796 pa pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 29/07/2025 23:59
- Interview date
- 27/08/2025
Employer heading
Registered Nurse
Band 5
Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, staff pride themselves on not only leading through clinical excellence, but also by creating an environment where all staff are valued and appreciated. To achieve this, the Trust has embarked on an exciting new strategy focused on continuous improvement.
Our vision is to improve the lives of our community and provide excellence in healthcare, through partnership and innovation
Our High Performance Culture will support everyone to be the best version of themselves by being true to our Trust vision, values and behaviours.
We welcome applications from colleagues from our local and neighbouring communities of all backgrounds and identities, who are currently under-represented within our region such as Black, Asian, Minority ethnic and those with disabilities.
As a region we are reviewing the way we work, and exploring how new working practices that support flexible working can create a positive work-life balance. As part of our recruitment process we will explore how our inclusive employment policies, flexible working, staff engagement forums, Trust facilities and services can be of mutual benefit.
Job overview
Working Part-Time: 34 hours per week
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic qualified Nurse to join our team in the Westminster Eye Centre.
The Westminster Eye Centre is an Ophthalmology unit that comprises of a large outpatient clinic and an ambulatory surgical day-case ward. The Westminster Eye Centre covers a large demographic of the local population and treats all ages from newborn to the very elderly.
Our department offers general ophthalmic services treating all common conditions of the eye
As a Band 5 Staff Nurse in Ophthalmology, you will be responsible for assessing, planning and implementing excellent patient care within an Ophthalmic clinic, as well as a busy day surgery ward.
On a day-to-day basis you would be responsible for managing the clinical area and patient environment, as well as supervising and supporting junior staff.
Although experience and qualifications in Ophthalmology are desirable, they are not essential.
Main duties of the job
1. You will contribute and commit to promoting a positive team-based attitude, striving for the highest standards of care and achieving excellence, through continued development and compassion.
2. Clinical Care Delivery: Providing direct patient care, including administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and assisting with procedures.
3. Communication and Collaboration: Communicating effectively with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals.
4. Supervision and Mentoring: Supervising and mentoring junior staff, including student nurses.
5. Quality Improvement: Contributing to the improvement of patient care and the overall quality of the department.
6. Be accountable for ensuring your daily practice fulfils your professional requirements as outlined by the NMC code of conduct and guiding documents.
7. Be accountable for maintaining your active status on the NMC register.
8. All employees have the responsibility to always comply with the Trusts Infection Control and Prevention policies and procedures. Strict adherence to effective hand hygiene is essential.
Working for our organisation
The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust provides services to West Cheshire and to Welsh patients covered by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership. Its services are provided from three locations:
- The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 438 general and acute beds
- Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 56 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility
- Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.
The Trust employs over 5916 staff (headcount) which includes temporary bank staff and provides acute emergency and elective services, primary care direct access services and obstetric services to a population of approximately 411,000. This includes 361,000 residents in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire which has a population of approximately 50,000.
The Trust is a busy district general hospital and in 2022/2023, there were more than 503,342 patient attendances (inpatient, outpatient and diagnostic) ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major cancer surgery. This is an increase of nearly 10,000 compared to the previous year when there were 494,387 patient attendances.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
See Job Description for further details.
Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs will be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.
You are encouraged to enroll for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16 per year applies.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application.
Person specification
Qualification
Essential criteria
- Registered Adult Nurse – Completed Preceptorship programme / 12 months acute experience
Desirable criteria
- Post-registration qualification or evidence of further study
- Relevant speciality qualification (may be required for certain practice areas e.g. Critical Care)
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
- Development of speciality knowledge
- Basic financial awareness
- Basic IT skills in word processing/Hospital systems
- Basic knowledge of professional & NHS issues
Desirable criteria
- Post-registration experience in a clinical setting (May be required & will be discussed at interview)
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
- Leah Butterfield
- Job title
- Ophthalmology Nurse Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01244 363 656
- Additional information
Laura Docherty (Deputy Ward Manager)
01244 362 618
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