Senior Emergency Ophthalmic Practitioner in Devon

Join our Emergency Eye Service (EES) as a Senior Emergency Ophthalmic Practitioner, where you’ll work autonomously in an extended role within a fast‑paced, varied clinical environment - no two days are the same. If you’re not yet ready for a Band 7 post, we’re happy to consider a developmental opportunity, supporting you to grow into the role with structured training and mentorship. You’ll be part of a supportive, collaborative multidisciplinary team made up of practitioners from a range of professional backgrounds. This role offers excellent opportunities to develop your leadership, teaching and mentoring skills.

Working closely with the Heads of Service, you’ll play a key role in ensuring high‑quality, consistent care across the entire patient pathway, while contributing meaningfully to service development and innovation. The Royal Devon offers the opportunity to build a rewarding and fulfilling career while enjoying an outstanding quality of life. Our region boasts two national parks, dramatic coastlines, vibrant cultural cities and a wealth of outdoor activities.

Our Emergency Eye Service (EES) provides assessment and treatment for emergency and urgent, sight‑threatening conditions. As a Senior Emergency Ophthalmic Practitioner, you will autonomously assess, diagnose and manage patients, working independently and alongside Ophthalmologists within the service. The role also includes supporting the management of the EES telephone triage service. We receive referrals from a wide range of services including Community Optometrists, GP practices, Minor Injury Units, NHS 111, Emergency Departments, and post‑operative patients. This is a vital service ensuring patients receive timely and appropriate care. We run a variety of clinics, with opportunities to develop specialist interests and work in extended roles within Consultant‑led clinics.

Our service has a strong commitment to education and professional development. We facilitate student placements and teaching for a range of healthcare professionals (including student and pre‑registration optometrists, nurse practitioners, independent prescriber optometrists and medical students), as well as delivering training to referring services. This creates excellent opportunities for team members to build experience in teaching, training and mentoring.

You will be a Band 6 or 7 registered nurse, optometrist or paramedic, with strong emergency eye care skills in anterior and posterior eye examination, ophthalmic imaging, and test interpretation. You will be accountable for your own professional practice, working within your scope of competence and exercising sound clinical judgement. You will either hold an Independent Prescribing qualification or be willing to undertake this qualification in the near future.

For the right candidate, we offer a developmental post, with structured training, development and mentoring. Candidates who do not yet meet all the criteria will be appointed at Band 6 and progress to Band 7 upon completion of the required competencies.

We actively support ongoing professional development, whether your interests lie in clinical expertise or leadership development. CPD is strongly encouraged, with opportunities to work alongside our specialist teams and access a wide range of learning and development pathways.

Based in the beautiful South West of England, we offer an exceptional work–life balance. From the cultural city of Exeter to the rolling landscapes of Exmoor and Dartmoor, and stunning beaches close by, the region has something for everyone. The area benefits from low crime rates, excellent schools and further education colleges, and Exeter is home to a top Russell Group university.

The Emergency Eye Service operates Monday to Saturday, 8am–6pm, including Bank Holidays, from the West of England Eye Unit, with Sunday opening planned in the foreseeable future. This is a full‑time post, working condensed hours over a four‑day week. Part‑time working may also be considered. We have a flexible working policy and are happy to discuss arrangements that work for you and the service.

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.

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. Our values are at the heart of everything we do.

Looking after you is important to us. We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies. If you are starting out in the NHS, you’ll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays. You will benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.

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, and the NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).

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.