Job summary
The Stockport Eye Centre leadership team consists of a Band 8 Matron and a Band 7 ward manager. The Band 6 deputy manager holds responsibility for the day-to-day leadership of the team and service delivery and enjoy significant autonomy and flexibility to shape the service delivery and influence the departments culture and personality. Junior sisters work flexibly to provide leadership in Ophthalmology.

The successful candidate will already have knowledge and experience of working in an ophthalmology department/ward.

The deputy ward manager will be expected to contribute to the on call rota.

Main duties of the job
The deputy manager duties include being a visible and approachable leader, empowering staff to provide the best possible service by developing them to achieve their full potential and ensuring they have the resources required for them to do their jobs well. There are opportunities for service development and you will be pivotal to the team's success; you will take a leading role in writing SOPs, training staff, undertaking audit and investigations, and identifying opportunities and planning for improvement.

The successful candidate will have opportunity to grow and develop through work-based learning and peer support and through structured development programmes, offered by the organisation and NHS England.

About us
We hold a unique position in the Stockport community as the provider of healthcare and we are one of its largest employers.

We believe that the best organisations are those that reflect the communities they serve. We are therefore seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce to make it truly representative of our local population.

We actively encourage applications irrespective of race, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership, or pregnancy or maternity. Recognising those communities that are underrepresented within our workforce, we would particularly welcome applications from you.

If you require support with your application please contact a member of the recruitment team, who can discuss alternative application methods.

We recognise that flexible working is important. We take requests for flexible working seriously, consider any request we receive and try to work with you, so we can explore if your request may fit with the needs of the service.

Benefits we offer to you:

• Between 27-33 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
• NHS pension scheme membership
• Salary sacrifice schemes for lease cars, home electronics and more, to make your salary go further
• NHS Staff discounts
• Cycle to work scheme
• Salary finance - for loans, savings, budget planning and tips on managing debt
• Stockport Credit Union - for local financial advice

Details
Closing date: 31 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year pro rata per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time, Flexible working
Reference number: 362-NAM6OPH-10-26-A

Job responsibilities
Please see the job description and person spec.

If you are passionate and proud of the NHS, and have a genuine desire to provide excellent, evidence-based care to the local population and would like to develop your leadership potential, then this could be a post for you. We are seeking someone with a genuine interest in Ophthalmology, with Ophthalmic and acute nursing experience, Theatre or Day Case unit experience, who enjoys motivating a team and isn't afraid of a challenge in the pursuit of excellence. If this sounds like you, then you are encouraged to visit us for an informal chat and to apply for this post!

If successful this vacancy will require an enhanced DBS check at a cost of £54.90. This cost will be deducted from your first Trust salary.

In addition to this it will be a condition of your employment that you will join the DBS update service and pay the annual subscription fee of £16.

Person Specification
Skills and Abilities
Essential

• Evidence of ability to plan and organise
• Ability to undertake audit and implement service improvement
• Ability to lead a team successfully (Is an enthusiastic, supportive motivator)
• Is a confident decision maker
• Adaptable to change

Desirable

• HR management experience
• Knowledge of change improvement

Knowledge
Essential

• Practices in line with NMC Standards and requirements
• Current challenges and developments in Outpatient services
• Knowledge and experience of ophthalmology

Experience
Essential

• Ophthalmic Experience

Desirable

• Experience of undertaking audit and implementing service improvement
• HR Management experience

Education and Qualifications
Essential

• Registered General Nurse with current registration
• Evidence of recent CPD relevant to the role
• Supports students in assessor and sign off
• Computer Literate

Desirable

• Additional learning in ophthalmology

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: Stockport NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Stepping Hill Hospital, Poplar Grove, Stockport, SK2 7JE, United Kingdom
Employer's website: http://www.stockport.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Matron Louise Rockley, louise.rockley@stockport.nhs.uk, 01614195081