Senior Retina Specialist Practitioner

Contact: Mariano Ponte, Matron (mariano.ponte1@nhs.net, 07795901481). Shortlisting: 08 Oct 2026; Interview: 22 Oct 2026. For informal visits: Samantha Bird (samanthabird@nhs.net) or Sophie Vickers (sophie.vickers@nhs.net).

About the role

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our team as a Senior Retina Specialist Practitioner covering SUJH, Seacroft and Wharfdale. The post is an integral part of the Ophthalmology MDT, responsible for specialised clinical skills and leadership competencies, promoting the effective and economical use of resources and contributing to budgetary balance. The post holder is responsible for his/her own actions without direct supervision and accountable for the actions of junior members of staff. This post will involve an independent caseload. The post holder will be practising as a retina specialist practitioner within Ophthalmology, providing patient‑centred and evidence‑based clinical care, within an agreed scope of competence and practice. The role will encompass the skills of history taking, slit lamp examination, image acquisition and/or interpretation, diagnosis and treatment of intra‑vitreal injections. As a specialised practitioner, the post holder will collaborate with patients, carers and colleagues and assist with future service demands planning. Suitable candidates will be considered who may require additional training to meet the requirements of the role, in which case the post will commence at a band 6 and progress to a band 7 once all training is completed.

Responsibilities

• Act as an integral member of the Ophthalmology multidisciplinary team, working collaboratively with Advanced Clinical Practitioners, Senior Retina Practitioners, Nurse Injectors, Orthoptists, Optometrists, Ophthalmology Doctors, Consultant Ophthalmologists, Medical Imaging Practitioners and the wider Medical Imaging and Nursing Teams.
• Be professionally accountable for own clinical decisions and actions, managing an independent caseload without routine direct supervision.
• Deliver elements of the Medical Retina pathway from referral and initial assessment through investigation, clinical management, treatment and follow‑up.
• Provide clinical supervision and support to Band 6 Nurse Injectors and junior/developing staff, promoting safe practice and development of specialist competencies.
• Seek appropriate clinical advice or escalation to an Advanced Clinical Practitioner, Ophthalmology Doctor or Consultant Ophthalmologist when patient presentation exceeds the agreed Band 7 scope of practice.
• Contribute to service planning and development, education and training, clinical governance, audit and quality improvement within Medical Retina.

Requirements

• Possess specialised clinical skills and leadership competencies appropriate for a Senior Retina Specialist Practitioner.
• Be able to work independently and be accountable for own actions and those of junior staff.
• Willing to undertake additional training if needed; the post will start at Band 6 and progress to Band 7 upon completion of required training.

Skills

• History taking and slit‑lamp examination.
• Image acquisition and/or interpretation.
• Diagnosis and treatment of intra‑vitreal injections.
• Collaboration with patients, carers and colleagues.
• Ability to assist with future service demands planning.
• Clinical supervision and mentorship of junior staff.
• Contribution to service planning, education, training, governance, audit and quality improvement.