Cns Ophthalmology / Diabetic Retinopathy

The Surgical division at the University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust has never been a more exciting place to work for enthusiastic professional nurses passionate about high quality ophthalmic patient care. Within our extensive ophthalmology service we see and treat a range of ocular conditions based at the Royal stoke hospital also covering County hospital for both Adult and Paediatric outpatients managing a whole host of ophthalmology specialist services such as; urgent eye care; intra-ocular treatment and diagnostic hubs including support for the pre-operative assessment service, day surgery and inpatient surgery. We now have an exciting opportunity that has arisen within the ophthalmic team for an experienced part time ophthalmic Clinical Nurse Specialist with a special interest in Diabetic Retinopathy to join us at the University Hospital of North Midlands. This is a rare job sharing opportunity to work alongside the current Clinical Nurse Specialist in Diabetic Retinopathy to enhance the service of managing patients with diabetic retinopathy and the treatments they may require. You will provide an autonomous clinical service to our patients attending the department whilst ensuring the delivery of high quality, safe patient care. This exciting role will support the current CNS in Diabetic Retinopathy as a job sharing opportunity. You will provide a comprehensive, autonomous service to patients with diabetic retinopathy, provide expert care in the management of diabetic retinopathy, provide expert advice and support to patients with ophthalmic conditions especially diabetic retinopathy and their carers. University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust is one of the largest and most modern in the country. We serve around three million people and we’re highly regarded for our facilities, teaching and research. The Trust has around 1,450 inpatient beds across two sites in Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford. Our 11,000 strong workforce provide emergency treatment, planned operations and medical care from Royal Stoke University Hospital and County Hospital in Stafford. We are the specialist centre for major trauma for the North Midlands and North Wales. We have put together a wide range of development packages aimed at ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their potential. Our goal is to be a world-class centre of achievement, where patients receive the highest standards of care and the best people come to learn, work and research. Communication and Relationship skills Communicates with patients and their carers, sensitive and complex information in relation to clinical findings, showing empathy in certain circumstances Communicates with those responsible for the care and documenting the appropriate details whilst at all time maintaining confidentiality, tact and diplomacy Communicates with the ophthalmic consultants in relation to patient ophthalmic condition when specific decision making is required Liaise with diabetes nurse and medical team to ensure a seamless service and optimise patient care. To communicate with other health care professionals in relation to patients with diabetic retinopathy specifically the patient’s general practitioner to highlight the clinical findings and high risk factors to optimise patient care. To provide education in formal and non-formal settings Continually update and maintain personal levels of clinical skills and competencies acting as a clinical role model It is expected that ALL employees of the Trust will take part in the appraisal process each year with the first appraisal taking place within the first 6 months from appointment Knowledge training and Experience To act as a resource to provide ophthalmic care, knowledge and expertise to those involved in caring for patients and their families In conjunction with the Consultant ophthalmologists and Matron, develop and implement nurse led initiatives To maintain autonomous, nurse led clinics for the assessment of patients with diabetic retinopathy To have knowledge and skills to order necessary investigations in identifying other retinal abnormalities or where further clinical investigation is required to diagnose specific ophthalmological disease. To ensure that such high risk factors of diabetic retinopathy are optimised specifically glycaemic control but to be aware of other high risk factors and know how these are reduced. Evidence of Masters level education Independent prescribing To provide education in formal and non-formal settings for optometrists, medical trainees, student nurses, in-house staff and patients and carers To initiate and participate in the development of educational programmes -liaising closely with Keel University To be involved in the development of patients information documents To perform required training of external quality assurance relevant to the retinal screening programme Analytical and Judgemental Skills To use slit lamp biomicroscopy to