Senior Charge Nurse - Ophthalmology Clinic

Senior Charge Nurse post leading the Ophthalmology Clinic and ward at Southend Hospital, run by Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust. The holder provides clinical and operational leadership, covering patient safety, workforce, quality improvement, governance and patient flow across outpatient, day case and inpatient pathways. The role centres on managing nursing staff and technicians, including rotas, sickness and appraisals, in a specialist eye care setting.

Fit depends on proven ophthalmology management experience, clinical knowledge and full NMC registration.

• Provide clinical and operational leadership of the ophthalmology clinic and ward
• Ensure safe, high-quality, patient-centred care and promote best practice in ophthalmic conditions
• Lead nursing staff and technicians, including sickness management, rota planning, recruitment and appraisals
• Lead on patient safety, workforce management, quality improvement, governance, education and service development
• Support daily clinical and operational management and the flow of patients through outpatient, day case and inpatient pathways
• Work with the Matron, Head of Nursing, medical staff and the multidisciplinary team
• Ensure evidence-based care is delivered to agreed standards and contribute to clinical and operational performance indicators
• Keep accurate, compliant records in line with Trust and NMC guidelines
• Ensure risk-management procedures are followed and oversee reporting, investigation and learning from incidents, near misses, accidents and equipment faults
• Ensure a clean, safe and compliant environment in line with legislation, policies and clinical protocols
• Apply local and national nursing strategies, including Compassion in Practice and the 6
  
  Cs
• Manage competing operational demands while complying with Trust policies, professional standards and national ophthalmology best practice

• Nursing degree
• Evidence of continuing professional development

• Full NMC registration
• Registered general nurse

• Substantial experience as a qualified nurse
• Proven significant ophthalmology management experience
• Clinical leadership and management of a team
• Experience managing budgets
• Experience managing rotas
• Experience managing complex clinical scenarios

• Sound clinical ophthalmology knowledge and skills

• MIPS, ENB 998 or willingness to complete
• Experience of sickness management
• Experience of complex employee relations