Job summary There are so many reasons to join our team at Sunderland Eye Infirmary. Aside from our fantastic staff, we have lots of exciting things going on. The build of our New Eye Hospital in Sunderland is well under way and will be our new home in 2026. This means Sunderland will remain home to the regions only dedicated standalone eye hospital. It will strengthen our excellent reputation across the NHS, both regionally and nationally as a centre of excellence for ophthalmology care. As one of the few specialist eye hospitals in the country, research and using developing technology is a key part of our work. We encourage innovation and research in everything we do. There is always something to get involved in. If you share our vision for 'excellence in all that we do', wed love you to join us An exciting opportunity has arisen for a 37.5-hour Band 7 Outpatients Department Manager at Sunderland Eye Infirmary. This busy outpatient department provides a variety of specialist and general Ophthalmic clinics, within Sunderland Eye Infirmary and Durham Treatment Centre. If you are a highly motivated individual, with extensive knowledge, experience and passion for ophthalmology, then this is the perfect job for you, and we would welcome your application. Main duties of the job The post is full time Monday to Friday 8am -5.30pm. The team consists of a mixture of specialist nurses, registered nurses and health care assistants and good communication and organisational skills are essential for the role. It will be your responsibility to ensure all staff maintain the skills and knowledge required to provide a high standard of patient care within the hospital and the outreach clinic. We are looking for a highly motivated individual who has extensive post registration experience, some of which will be at a senior level within Ophthalmology. The successful candidate will have the exciting prospect in the future to manage the purpose-built outpatient department in the new state-of-the-art Sunderland Eye Hospital situated in Sunderland city centre which is expected to open in 2026. About us Please help us by adding your telephone number to your application form this will allow us to contact you quickly if required. One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for STSFT. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via the Trust's Flexible Working Policy. The Trust employs around 8,300 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area, in some cases to a population as great as 860,000. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Childcare Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements. The Trust will not accept applications which are found to be AI generated. Date posted 03 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 7 Salary £46,148 to £52,809 a year Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number C9155-OPNM-0325-08 Job locations Sunderland Eye Infirmary Queen Alexandra Road Sunderland SR29HP Job description Job responsibilities PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE. The Department Manager has 24 hour accountability for patient safety and patient experience on their ward/department, including line management of their staff. They must deliver high quality nursing care by ensuring appropriate systems and processes are in place to provide the continuity of safe and effective care at all times. They will act as a champion for professional accountability and standards, ensuring that professional practices are in line with the requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), and Trust Policy. Ensure environmental standards and cleanliness of the ward/department are maintained in line with Trust and National standards. Effectively manage the ward/department nursing resource, ensuring that staff rotas are able to deliver safe and effective patient care. Support and contribute to the development of patient care and nursing practice within the Directorate. Supervising junior staff. Contribute to Trust wide projects as required. Ensure effective line management of staff and ensure they are supported in performing to their full potential. Ensure junior staff have appropriate support and supervision and are appropriately assessed. To comply with the trusts vision, values and behavioural compact. Job description Job responsibilities PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE. The Department Manager has 24 hour accountability for patient safety and patient experience on their ward/department, including line management of their staff. They must deliver high quality nursing care by ensuring appropriate systems and processes are in place to provide the continuity of safe and effective care at all times. They will act as a champion for professional accountability and standards, ensuring that professional practices are in line with the requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), and Trust Policy. Ensure environmental standards and cleanliness of the ward/department are maintained in line with Trust and National standards. Effectively manage the ward/department nursing resource, ensuring that staff rotas are able to deliver safe and effective patient care. Support and contribute to the development of patient care and nursing practice within the Directorate. Supervising junior staff. Contribute to Trust wide projects as required. Ensure effective line management of staff and ensure they are supported in performing to their full potential. Ensure junior staff have appropriate support and supervision and are appropriately assessed. To comply with the trusts vision, values and behavioural compact. Person Specification Skills and Knowledge Essential Evidence of leadership qualities. Awareness of national health and social care policy. Knowledge of best practice in area of specialism. Thorough understanding of expanded roles/professional practice issues. Ability to provide and receive complex, sensitive or contentious information, where persuasive, motivational, negotiating, training, empathic or reassurance skills are required. Able to work without supervision. Competent in the use of Microsoft office packages. Proven interpersonal skills. Practice assessor/ supervision skills. Appraisal skills. Evidence of competency in relation to nursing practices appropriate to the post. Competent in the use of Microsoft office packages. Proven interpersonal skills. Practice assessor/ supervision skills. Appraisal skills. Evidence of competency in relation to nursing practices appropriate to the post. Desirable Understanding of budget and financial control systems. Research skills. Qualifications Essential Current NMC Registration (Level 1 adult nurse). Degree in nursing studies or healthcare related subject (UK equivalent). Masters level study, or equivalent specialist study/experience. Mentorship certificate/ Practice Assessor training or demonstrable equivalent experience. Desirable Management and leadership training. ILM qualification. Experience Essential Extensive post registration experience, some of which will be at a senior level within the required specialist area of practice. Experience of change management. Thorough understanding of contemporary nursing issues. Experience of leading a team. Evidence of innovation in practice. Participation in recruitment and selection process. Demonstrable Ophthalmology experience. Desirable Experience of working at Band 6 and/or Band 7. Experience of service redesign. Physical Skills Essential Ability to assist patients to move as per Trust Moving and Handling Policy. Person Specification Skills and Knowledge Essential Evidence of leadership qualities. Awareness of national health and social care policy. Knowledge of best practice in area of specialism. Thorough understanding of expanded roles/professional practice issues. Ability to provide and receive complex, sensitive or contentious information, where persuasive, motivational, negotiating, training, empathic or reassurance skills are required. Able to work without supervision. Competent in the use of Microsoft office packages. Proven interpersonal skills. Practice assessor/ supervision skills. Appraisal skills. Evidence of competency in relation to nursing practices appropriate to the post. Competent in the use of Microsoft office packages. Proven interpersonal skills. Practice assessor/ supervision skills. Appraisal skills. Evidence of competency in relation to nursing practices appropriate to the post. Desirable Understanding of budget and financial control systems. Research skills. Qualifications Essential Current NMC Registration (Level 1 adult nurse). Degree in nursing studies or healthcare related subject (UK equivalent). Masters level study, or equivalent specialist study/experience. Mentorship certificate/ Practice Assessor training or demonstrable equivalent experience. Desirable Management and leadership training. ILM qualification. Experience Essential Extensive post registration experience, some of which will be at a senior level within the required specialist area of practice. Experience of change management. Thorough understanding of contemporary nursing issues. Experience of leading a team. Evidence of innovation in practice. Participation in recruitment and selection process. Demonstrable Ophthalmology experience. Desirable Experience of working at Band 6 and/or Band 7. Experience of service redesign. Physical Skills Essential Ability to assist patients to move as per Trust Moving and Handling Policy. Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust Address Sunderland Eye Infirmary Queen Alexandra Road Sunderland SR29HP Employer's website https://www.stsft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)