Oculoplastic Surgical Care Practitioner

**The closing date is 23rd Mar 2025**

**Job summary**:
An exciting opportunity has arisen

Are you a Registered Nurse, Optometrist or Operating Department Practitioner looking for the next step in your career?

Do you have an interest in providing/developing oculoplastic clinical skills, to assess, diagnose and manage patients in specialist ophthalmic clinics and within the operating theatre setting? To have your own case load of patients, making independent decisions regarding clinical care and priorities, under the supervision of the Oculoplastic Surgeons?

We are looking for someone to join our team, that has a passion for this area of ophthalmology and is interested in becoming an specialist Oculoplastic Surgical Care Practitioner, this can be provided as a development opportunity at Band 6, whereby, you will be fully supported within the team - leading to a Band 7 role on the successful completion of the training programme.

You will need to have good communication skills, a team work approach and able provide a high standards of care with the support of your team.

Informal visits/chats always welcome - contact us today to discuss the position in more detail or organise for you to come and visit

**Main duties, tasks & skills required**:
The post holder will undertake clinical sessions as an independent practitioner in designated practitioner led clinics and with their own patient profile in consultant led clinics within the ophthalmic outpatient department at MPH and in community based settings.

To work as a specialist Oculoplastic Surgical Care Practitioner, providing screening / assessment, diagnosis, and prescribing treatment in ophthalmic services.

To set, monitor and evaluate standards of care in partnership with other members of the ophthalmic multidisciplinary team to ensure the delivery of holistic, evidence based clinically effective specialist service.

To act as an expert clinical resource to all Health Care Professionals and others involved in the delivery of care to this client group.

As appropriate, maintain professional and core competency to maintain professional registration.

Contribute to the Trust Governance agenda through patient involvement, education, clinical guideline production, audit and research.

**About us**:
At **Somerset NHS Foundation Trust**, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

- ** Flexible working options** to help you balance work and life
- ** NHS pension scheme** for long-term financial security
- ** Generous annual leave allowance** to recharge and relax
- A strong focus on **career development** to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our **Blue Light Card**, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

**Why Somerset?** Somerset offers the perfect blend of **idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty**, and **breathtaking coastlines**, with vibrant cities like **Bristol**, **Bath**, and **Exeter**just a short drive away - and only two hours to **London**.

The region is home to excellent **educational facilities**, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

**Somerset truly has it all** - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

**Job description**:
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification.

**Person specification**:
**Qualifications**:
**Essential**:
1st level Registered Nurse, Optometrist or Operating Department Practitioner

**Desirable**:
Post graduate specialist ophthalmic courses or modules

Recognised teaching qualification

Independent/supplementary prescribing qualification or commitment to undertake

**Experience**:
**Essential**:
Proven years - oculoplastic surgical skills + clinical experience at Band 5/6.

NHS experience

Experience of teaching in practice

Experience of standard setting and audit

**Desirable**:
Evidence of clinical audit

Experience of participating in research

**Additional Criteria**:
**Essential**:
Evidence of a good standard of literacy/English language skills

Clinical leadership skills

Ability to be assertive when necessary and remain calm in stressful situations

Demonstrate complex communication skills

Evidence of implementing change in clinical situations

Demonstrates importance of and ability to work as part of a team

Good interpersonal skills and initiative.

Ability to act as patient advocate

Able to manage own work load

Flexible in working practice

**Disclosure and Barring Service Check**:
**UK Professional Registration**:
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers