Medical Retina Specialist Nurse

Job summary

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.

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 is a full-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.

The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting 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.

In addition, the post holder will contribute to the ongoing development and delivery of the Medical Retina Service through clinic coordination, service improvement initiatives, audit activities, staff education, and patient support and education.

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.

About us

Come Nurse with us...

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the country. It comprises Addenbrooke's 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 ofTogether - Safe, Kind, Excellentsupport 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?

o Our values and reputation for outstanding careo Opportunities to experience a range of specialitieso Career and development opportunitieso Preceptorship and mentoring programmes delivered by a dedicated clinical education support teamo Research experience and opportunitieso Lovely location and quality of lifeo Excellent schools/colleges and transport links (road, rail and air)

Job responsibilities

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

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

Please note that we cannot accept applications from individuals who do not have the right to work in the UK or who have less than6months remaining on their visa from the proposed start date."

This vacancy will close at midnight on 31st Aug 2026

Interviews are due to be held on 15th September 2026

Benefits to you

At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. 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 caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.

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.

Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.

We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• oRegistered General Nurse on the appropriate part of the NMC registration
• oAble and willing to undertake ophthalmic training / ophthalmic course
• oDegree level qualification or evidence of currently working towards one

Desirable

• oOphthalmology specific qualifications
• oRecognised clinical teaching qualification

Experience

Essential

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

Desirable

• oExperience of service development and improvement projects
• oExperience conducting audit

Knowledge

Essential

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

Skills

Essential

• oAbility to communicate clearly and effectively with patients and co-workers in all media
• oAwareness of visually impaired patients' needs and ability to adjust communication and examination techniques accordingly
• oAbility to work as part of a multidisciplinary team and autonomously
• oTo be flexible to meet service needs
• oWilling and capable to undertake intravitreal injection training.
• oComputing skills: word-processing, spread sheet and presentation packages

Desirable

• oLeadership skills

Additional Requirements

Essential

• The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Together - safe, kind, excellent.
• Demonstrates the ability and commitment to providing a service for patients/clients that is governed by: oCare oCompassion oCompetence oEffective communication relevant to the area of work oCommitment oCourage/Advocacy for the patient
• To act in a professional manner at all times in accordance with the NMC Code of Conduct