Emergency Eye Service Practitioner (Full-time and Part-time positions available)
Applications are invited from suitably experienced and enthusiastic professionals to join our compassionate and collaborative multidisciplinary team within the Emergency Eye Service (EES). Our team is open to nurses, optometrists (including newly qualified), and paramedics, working together to deliver high-quality, patient-centred urgent eye care.
There are excellent development opportunities within this role, including involvement in education, quality improvement initiatives, and extended roles across subspecialty clinics once established in EES.
We are committed to building a forward-thinking, multidisciplinary team. The post holder will work closely with the Heads of Service to maintain a high standard of care throughout the patient journey and contribute to ongoing service development.
Applicants must demonstrate appropriate competency in anterior slit lamp examination. However, if there are no suitably qualified candidates, we will consider trainee practitioners with a willingness to develop these essential skills.
We welcome applications from both full-time and part-time candidates; however, full-time availability is preferred. The role involves a flexible rota with no fixed working days, so candidates must be adaptable.
About the Role
Our EES provides treatment for emergency and urgent, sight threatening problems. The successful candidate will assess, diagnose and treat these patients autonomously and alongside the Ophthalmologist in the EES. The role also involves assisting in the management of the telephone triage service for the EES, who receive queries from primary eye care (Community Optometrists, GP practices, minor injuries units, NHS 111, and the main emergency department) as well as post-operative patients.
The post holder should be skilled in anterior eye examination and associated ophthalmic test interpretation. There is an expectation of the post holder to supply and administer medications under Patient Group Directions, in line with Trust policy and National guidelines.
The post holder will also play an active role in facilitating placements and teaching for other healthcare professionals (student and pre-reg Optometrists, Nurse Practitioners, IP Optometrist placements, medical students).
The role requires accountability for your own professional actions when working within your sphere of competence.
Working Pattern:
We have up to three vacancies available for both full-time and part-time practitioners, with a minimum of 19 hours per week. While we are flexible with working arrangements, full-time availability is preferred, particularly for trainee practitioners.
The role involves working 08:00 to 18:00 across four days per week, with no fixed schedule, so a high level of flexibility and adaptability is essential. The Emergency Eye Service operates from the West of England Eye Unit, open Monday to Saturday, including Bank Holidays, with Sunday openings expected in the near future. Currently, staff typically work approximately 1 in 4 Saturdays.
As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.
About Us
Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford). Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within people’s own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).
Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.
Salary is not the only financial benefit
You will have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers. You will also have access to other benefits including:
* National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.
* Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter
* Car lease schemes.
* The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).
* Cycle to work scheme
These are just a few of the benefits available – if the role is something you are interested in, we would love to hear from you.
* Salary Band 6: £37,338 - £44,962 per annum pro rata
* Frequency Annual
* Vacancy Reference 185-33524-10326
* Contract Type Permanent
* Closing Date 29 April, 2025
* Job Category Nursing
* Staff Group Nursing & Midwifery Registered
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