Deputy Unit Leader and Pre-op Assessment for Ophthalmology

A Vacancy at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Band 6, Ophthalmology Deputy Unit Leader and Pre-op Assessment

Working across sites, Boston House Eye Unit Wigan and Leigh Infirmary

Full time 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday with occasional weekend sessions as required.

We are looking for a motivated surgical nurse preferably with pre-op and or ophthalmology experience, however, training in all aspects of the pre-op and ophthalmology service will be given.

This is a new position, the successful candidate will be involved in the setting up, development and running of an ophthalmic pre-op assessment service at Leigh Infirmary.

Health assessments of ophthalmology patients listed for a variety of procedures.

Autorefraction and biometry measurements and evaluation of same.

Accurate documentation of assessments and investigations.

Communication with the multidisciplinary team including theatres, wards, general practitioners, opticians, infection control and the ophthalmology team on both sites.

To provide managerial cover for the ophthalmology unit manager and deputy unit manager at Boston House.

Supervision and training of junior staff and students.

Running of ophthalmology clinics on both sites.

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are the proud providers of acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, we value our staff believing that ‘happy staff, makes for happy patients’. We have a recognised track record in staff engagement, and living our values.

WWL are committed to placing the patient at the heart of everything we do, and in the provision of safe, effective care that acknowledges and ensures dignity. With this in mind we are seeking to recruit people who share our values and beliefs.

At WWL we value the benefits a rich and diverse workforce brings to our community and therefore welcome applications from all sections of society.

This role will include duties ranging from supporting the unit leader in a deputy role and delivering direct patient care for patients who are to have elective ophthalmic surgical procedures and completing pre-operative assessments for these patients required. The role will also include general ophthalmic clinics including Cannulation skills, working in all aspects of the medical retina services, Urgent referral clinics, glaucoma, minor operations and the intra-vitreal injection service. This will be undertaken by demonstrating skills that are specific to pre-operative assessment that identifies the patient’s fitness for the elective procedure.

The pre-operative role is a nurse led assessment process using electronic health assessment tools and observations, instigating and reviewing investigations and specialist ophthalmic tests/measurements which assess a patient’s health, fitness and wellbeing.

The role will involve working across different hospital sites at Boston house, WWL Eye Unit and Leigh Infirmary.

This will support the ongoing management of elective ophthalmic surgical patients throughout all stages of their pathway. and all outpatient activity.

The role will actively support the departmental manager and team to provide evidence-based patient centred care.

The deputy unit leader duties will include co-ordinating in the Unit leads absence, roster and Annual leave issues and support. HR and staff management support, mentoring junior staff. Leading on initiatives and keeping the unit up to date on trust and the wider ophthalmic policies and care delivery. You will be expected to be included in the duty manager roster.

This advert closes on Tuesday 4 Aug 2026