Medical Retina Specialist Nurse

Job description

Main area Ophthalmology - Division D Grade Band 6 Contract Permanent Hours 30 hours per week (Part Time / Flexible working hours may be considered) Job ref 180-D-CVA1258

Employer Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Addenbrookes Hospital - Division D Town Cambridge Salary £39,959 - £48,117 p.a. Pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 04/11/2026 23:59 Interview date 19/11/2026

Job overview

The Ophthalmology Department at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, is seeking to appoint a highly motivated and experienced ophthalmic nurse to a newly established Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) post within the expanding Medical Retina Service.

This is a part -time, substantive position and presents an exciting opportunity for an experienced ophthalmic nurse with independent intravitreal injection skills, or a strong commitment to undertaking the required training and competency programme to develop these skills.

You will support the continued growth of the Medical Retina Service. Core responsibilities will include administering intravitreal injections, delivering and managing nurse-led medical retina clinics, and providing support within consultant-led clinics to ensure high-quality, patient-centred care.

Flexibility, excellent organisational skills, and the ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team are essential. The successful candidate will be expected to practise independently within their scope of competence while maintaining the highest standards of clinical care and professional accountability.

The Medical Retina Specialist Nurse role involves providing support to a high-demand Medical Retina service. Candidates should possess prior knowledge and experience working within an ophthalmic setting.

Main duties of the job

This position offers a trained ophthalmic nurse the opportunity to further enhance their competencies, skills, and knowledge in Ophthalmology by taking on an advanced role within the Medical Retina Service.

The individual in this role will be responsible for delivering specialised ophthalmic nursing care and performing advanced nursing procedures for patients with medical retina conditions. Responsibilities will include administering intravitreal injections, conducting fundus fluorescein angiography, interpreting Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) results, facilitating virtual medical retina clinics, and managing nurse-led telephone clinics.

The individual in this position will serve as a coordinator for the medical retina service, ensuring that patients receive timely assessments by all members of the multidisciplinary team. They will be the primary point of contact for medical retina patients with clinical concerns.

The individual in this position will play a vital role in the development of care for patients accessing the medical retina service. They will operate independently and will be accountable for their professional actions. The post holder will be responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of service users while consistently promoting the dignity and human rights of patients and clients.

Working for our organisation

Come Nurse with us…

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the country. It comprises Addenbrookes Hospital and the Rosie Hospital. We provide accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge and regional and national specialist services. It's a great place to nurse, work and live.

You will work on a vibrant hospital campus with a friendly community feel; we have excellent facilities to practise your skills and abilities to support your career pathway and development. Our values of Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent support the delivery of outstanding care. We have a fully electronic patient record system that is improving health-care quality; this is transforming services, improving patient safety and clinical outcomes.

Why choose Cambridge University Hospitals?

• Our values and reputation for outstanding care
• Opportunities to experience a range of specialities
• Career and development opportunities
• Preceptorship and mentoring programmes delivered by a dedicated clinical education support team
• Research experience and opportunities
• Lovely location and quality of life
• Excellent schools/colleges and transport links (road, rail and air)

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

This vacancy will close at midnight on 4th November 2026.

Interviews are due to be held on 19th November 2026.

All appointments with a start date on or after 1 October 2026 will be subject to a 12-week probationary period. This provides a structured and supportive period to help you settle into your role, with regular reviews and feedback.

As there is a 12-week probationary period, successful candidates are expected to have the Right to Work for a period of at least 6 months from the proposed start date. Immigration and Right to Work status will be discussed with successful candidates at conditional offer. CUH will not offer sponsorship to candidates that have applied for a fee waiver.

Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full-time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full-time permanent contract unless you have:

• - applied for a Graduate visa
• - or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment

Benefits to you

• We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries.
• Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site.
• Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals.
• We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
• On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues.
• Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces.
• Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only café, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge.
• CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances.
• Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.

We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Registered General Nurse on the appropriate part of the NMC registration
• Able and willing to undertake ophthalmic training / ophthalmic course
• Degree level qualification or evidence of currently working towards one
• Ophthalmology specific qualifications
• Recognised clinical teaching qualification

Experience

• Significant clinical experience at Band 5/6 and relevant clinical experience within ophthalmology
• Experienced and competent in independently administering intravitreal injections to patients with macular diseases or possess the willingness to undergo a comprehensive, competency-based training program
• Experience working under own initiative
• Experience in delivering evidence-based practice
• Experience of formal / informal teaching and able to demonstrates evidence of ability to educate others. Experience teaching others and evidence of mentorship / preceptorship roles
• Some experience of managing and leading a clinical area
• Experience of service development and improvement projects
• Experience conducting audit
• NHS experience

Knowledge

• Understand the basic underlying pathology in the main retinal conditions (age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and vein occlusion)
• Knowledge of current treatment options and management of the main retinal conditions
• Knowledge of the signs and symptoms of the main retinal conditions
• Understand the difficulties visually impaired patients face and to know when to refer to support services
• Demonstrate an understanding of clinical governance

Skills

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with patients and co-workers in all media
• Awareness of visually impaired patients’ needs and ability to adjust communication and examination techniques accordingly
• Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team and autonomously
• Willing and capable to undertake intravitreal injection training
• Computing skills: word-processing, spread sheet and presentation packages

Additional Requirements

• The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Together - safe, kind, excellent
• To act in a professional manner at all times in accordance with the NMC Code of Conduct

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

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Extra information

Status

Open

Education Level

Secondary School

Location

Cambridge

Type of Contract

Full-time jobs

Salary indication

Between £39,959 and £48,117 Per Month

Published at

01-11-2026

Profession type

Health / Medical

Full UK/EU driving license preferred

No

Car Preferred

No

Must be eligible to work in the EU

No

Cover Letter Required

No

Languages

English