NursingNetUK

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please ensure that you have read the attached Job Description and Person Specification before submitting your application. 

1.         Communication and relationship skills

1.1       Initiate WHO process prior to ophthalmic procedures, liaise with engineers/ manufactures for surgical instruments.

1.2       Ability to communicate with patients of varying understanding, and members of the MDT including pharmacy.

1.3       Communication on a daily basis verbally, through written documentation in clinical records or to clinical staff, through email and also on the telephone.

1.4       Receiving handover from registered nurse and relaying this information through the WHO process to the injector.

1.5       Take handover from surgeon and scrub nurse, safely returning the patient to the ward area and relaying post-operative plan of care to registered nurse.

1.6       Collecting patient from the ophthalmic ward ahead of their procedure under local anaesthetic. Identifying the required appropriate information to cascade to the team before surgery.

1.7       Initiate the WHO process prior to administering topical anaesthetic drops to the eye.

2.         Knowledge, training and experience

2.1       Specialist training in ophthalmic procedures/ treatments working under HCA competency package to administer medication topically.

2.2       Attending required course to develop clinical skills ensuring competency.

3.         Analytical and Judgemental skills

3.1       Assessment of the patient’s eye prior to drop instillation, escalating possible infection, Identify contraindication prior to drop instillation.

3.2       Assess patient’s suitability for local anaesthetic or positioning during theatre escalating to surgeon and registered nurse formulating a plan of care.

3.3       Offer advice to reassure/ educate patients.

3.4       Admit and discharge patients attending for fundas fluorescein angiogram.

3.5       Admitting and discharging theatre patients following their procedure, providing full comprehensive guidance to the patients for their post-operative care.

4.         Planning and Organisational skills

4.1       Arranging repairs/ setting up theatre baskets/ ordering essential stock before supplies run low, reducing the risk of cancellations.

4.2       Manage own time effectively when on task ensuring clinics run smoothly without delay.

4.3       Covering on call rota, ensuring all equipment/ medication that could potentially be required is available to support the scrub nurse.

4.4       Prepare theatre before, during and following cases. Complying with infection control policies and cleaning/ storing equipment as per manufacturer’s guidance.

5.         Physical skills

5.1       Physical skills obtained through practice narrow margin for error venepuncture

5.2       Highly developed physical skills, accuracy important; manipulation of fine tools, materials

5.3       Hand eye coordination required when administering eye drops

5.4       Restraint of patients/clients

6.         Responsibilities for patient/client care

6.1       Identifying patients’ needs on admission and escalating to the theatre team, initiating handover to ward nurse, theatre team and intravitreal injector prior to ophthalmic treatments.

6.2       Ensuring no contra-indications prior to topical administration of proxymetacaine anaesthetic drops

6.3       Assist doctor and nurse injector during intravitreal injection within a clean room environment.

6.4       Ensuring sterility is maintained throughout and supporting patients.

7.         Responsibilities for policy and service development implementation

7.1       Taking an active role in unit meeting/ grand round sessions. Openly discussing issues on the unit and assisting with the problem solving process, to improve the service we deliver.

7.2       Adhering to trust policy and escalate concerns regarding non-compliance.

Please ensure you have read the attached Job Description & Person Specification, before applying for this role.