Clinical Nurse Specialist | Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust


Company:	Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust
Salary:	£58,133 - £65,261 pa inc HCA
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	London, SE1 7EH
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	24 Sept 2026
Closing date:	25 Oct 2026

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Summary

Based within our busy Rapid Access Eye Clinic, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality, timely care to patients presenting with urgent eye conditions. The service operates Monday to Friday and accepts patients through walk-in attendance, referrals from local community services, and our dedicated telephone triage line.

As part of a well-established multidisciplinary team, you will work alongside experienced nurses, optometrists, and ophthalmic clinicians to assess, manage, and support patients requiring urgent ophthalmic care. The clinic sees approximately 17,000 patient attendances each year, providing a fast-paced and rewarding environment in which to develop and utilise advanced clinical skills.

This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated and experienced practitioner who is passionate about delivering outstanding patient care and contributing to the ongoing development of a dynamic urgent care service.

The post holder will provide clinical and operational leadership within the Rapid Access Eye Clinic, working closely with the Clinical Lead to deliver a safe, effective, and patient-focused service. They will lead and support a team of experienced ophthalmic nurses and optometrists, promoting high standards of care, professional development, and continuous service improvement.

The role combines leadership with a significant clinical commitment, requiring the post holder to work across all areas of the service. Responsibilities include face-to-face and telephone triage, assessment and management of patients presenting with urgent ophthalmic conditions, and the autonomous treatment and discharge of patients within agreed protocols. Appropriate referral to medical colleagues and other services will be undertaken when necessary.

The post holder will support effective patient flow, workforce management, and service delivery to ensure patient needs are met efficiently. They will contribute to clinical governance, audit, quality improvement initiatives, and the implementation of evidence-based practice.

Working collaboratively within the multidisciplinary ophthalmology team, the post holder will act as an expert practitioner and professional role model. Ideally, they will be an Independent Non-Medical Prescriber, enabling the timely assessment, treatment, and management of a wide range of urgent eye conditions for the approximately 17,000 patients seen by the service each year.

We provide specialist surgical and medical ophthalmology services for our local communities and are the tertiary referral centre for many specialties within the clinical group.

We are passionate about constantly improving our service and delivering high quality care to our patients. We have a significant focus on patient experience and want to improve further the engagement from patients to improve the service. We are looking for a committed individual with excellent organisational and interpersonal skills, who have a genuine interest in working within in our Rapid Access Eye Clinic.

We are dedicated to training and developing our staff, so the successful candidate will get the opportunity to work alongside a well-established team in nurse led services. Ophthalmology has over 200 colleagues who all work closely with one another to ensure the smooth day to day running of the service and engage in transformation projects to improve patient and staff experience. We have a number of social events throughout the year to bring everyone together and celebrate our diverse team.

The post holder will provide visible clinical and operational leadership within the Rapid Access Eye Clinic, ensuring the delivery of a safe, effective, responsive, and patient-centred service. Working closely with the Rapid Access Eye Clinic Clinical Lead, the post holder will support the strategic development, day-to-day management, and continuous improvement of the service to meet the needs of patients presenting with urgent ophthalmic conditions.

Clinical Responsibilities

• Undertake autonomous assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and discharge of patients presenting with acute ophthalmic conditions.

• Provide expert clinical decision-making and management of patients attending the Rapid Access Eye Clinic

• Perform face-to-face triage to determine clinical urgency and appropriate patient pathways.

• Deliver telephone triage and advice services, ensuring patients receive timely and appropriate care.

• Order, interpret, and act upon relevant ophthalmic investigations within scope of practice.

• Initiate treatment plans, monitor patient outcomes, and arrange appropriate follow-up where required.

• Refer patients appropriately to ophthalmology consultants, subspecialty services, primary care, emergency departments, or other healthcare professionals as indicated.

• Act as an independent prescriber where qualified, prescribing medicines safely and effectively in accordance with local and national guidance.

• Ensure accurate and contemporaneous documentation of all patient assessments, interventions, and outcomes.

Leadership and Management Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and day-to-day management of a team of experienced ophthalmic nurses and optometrists.

• Support staff development through supervision, mentoring, coaching, and appraisal processes.

• Foster a positive team culture that promotes collaboration, professional development, and high-quality patient care.

• Assist with workforce planning, rota management, and allocation of clinical resources to ensure service efficiency.

• Support the recruitment, induction, and retention of staff within the service.

• Act as a senior clinical resource, providing advice and guidance to colleagues and other healthcare professionals.

• Deputise for the Clinical Lead in their absence as required.

Service Development and Quality Improvement

• Contribute to the ongoing development and modernisation of the Rapid Access Eye Clinic

• Identify opportunities to improve patient pathways, patient experience, and service efficiency.

• Lead and participate in clinical audits, quality improvement projects, and service evaluations.

• Ensure clinical practice is evidence-based and aligned with national standards, professional guidance, and Trust policies.

• Monitor and review service activity, outcomes, and performance indicators to support continuous improvement.

• Participate in the development and implementation of clinical guidelines, protocols, and standard operating procedures.

Governance and Risk Management

• Promote and maintain high standards of clinical governance and patient safety.

• Ensure compliance with Trust policies, professional standards, and statutory requirements.

• Report, investigate, and learn from incidents, complaints, and near misses within the service.

• Identify and manage clinical risks, escalating concerns appropriately.

• Support infection prevention and control measures and ensure compliance with safeguarding policies.

Education and Professional Development

• Act as a role model for advanced clinical practice and professional behaviour.

• Support the education and training of nursing, optometry, medical, and allied health professional staff.

• Participate in delivering teaching sessions and clinical competency assessments.

• Maintain and develop specialist ophthalmic knowledge and skills through continuing professional development.

• Promote a culture of lifelong learning, reflective practice, and evidence-based care.

Research and Innovation

• Support participation in research, audit, and innovation initiatives within ophthalmology services.

• Contribute to the implementation of new evidence, technologies, and pathways that enhance patient care and service delivery.

The post holder will be expected to maintain a significant clinical presence within the Rapid Access Eye Clinic while providing leadership and operational oversight, ensuring that the service continues to deliver high-quality care to approximately 17,000 patients accessing urgent ophthalmic services each year.

This advert closes on Monday 5 Oct 2026

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