Senior Healthcare Assistant (OPD)

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279); Brighton; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare trust in Sussex seeks a Senior Healthcare Assistant to support ophthalmic outpatient services. The role requires a minimum of 2 years' experience, specifically in ophthalmology, along with a Care Certificate and relevant qualifications. Responsibilities include assisting in clinical procedures and mentoring junior staff. This position offers an opportunity to contribute to patient care in a respected NHS environment, while providing support and guidance to new team members, ensuring high standards of clinical practice.

Benefits

Opportunities for professional development

Diverse workplace environment

Qualifications

• Candidates must have experience in ophthalmology and evidence of completed Band 2 competencies.
• A minimum of 2 years' experience in the HCA role is necessary.
• NHS or primary care experience with a Care Certificate is crucial.

Responsibilities

• Support the ophthalmic team in outpatient clinics.
• Conduct visual field tests and assist in minor procedures.
• Mentor junior staff and manage patient transport.

Skills

Substantive experience within ophthalmology speciality

Teamwork/Leadership Experience

Understanding of visual acuity testing

Venepuncture and Cannulation

Education

Level 3 Diploma in Clinical Healthcare Support

Care Certificate from an Ofqual regulated awarding organisation

Job description

Senior Healthcare Assistant (OPD)

The closing date is 05 January 2026.

This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route however sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria. Applicants for the Senior HCA role must be able to evidence a minimum of 2 years' experience in the same role (Band 3 HCA within the NHS) to meet the salary requirements to qualify for sponsorship.

For this role it is essential that you have previous NHS or NHS primary care experience with a Care Certificate from an Ofqual regulated awarding organisation. Or that you are an internationally educated nurse/midwife/doctor who has worked in an acute hospital setting within recent years with evidence of your degree verified by an ENIC report.

Please ensure to attach your Care Certificate and/or ENIC report to your application as this will be required for interview.

To work as a Senior Ophthalmic Health Care Assistant under the supervision of Staff Nurses and Sister, predominantly within the OPD service, but with the skills to rotate to all areas of ophthalmology as required. To set up clinics, carry out and record Visual Acuity, Intra ocular pressure measurement, Auto-refraction, Foci meter, Visual Field Testing, occasional venepuncture and cannulation and to assist in Minor operation and Intravitreal injection clinics.

Main duties of the job

This role supports the ophthalmic team in outpatient clinics, assisting with visual acuities, patient flow, and clinical procedures. Key responsibilities include conducting visual field tests, instilling eye drops, performing hand held tonometry, and recording vital signs like blood pressure, temperature, and blood glucose. The post-holder will assist with routine tasks such as venepuncture, cannulation, urinalysis, and weight measurement. Supervision of junior staff and training of new team members are expected. The role also involves administrative tasks like assisting in direction where to book appointments, managing patient transport, and supporting patient inside the department.

The job includes assisting in minor ophthalmic procedures, ensuring correct eye drops administration, maintaining patient comfort, and adhering to infection control protocols. The post-holder is responsible for supporting patient care, including personal hygiene, feeding, mobility assistance, and communication support, ensuring patient dignity and privacy. Effective communication with patients, families, and multidisciplinary teams is essential.

Staff development is a key focus, with duties including mentoring junior colleagues and ensuring a positive, non-discriminatory work environment. The role may involve other duties aligned with the team's needs. Flexibility is expected as the job description evolves to meet service requirements.

About us

Working for our organisation. At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

Job responsibilities

To verify your Care Certificate, find an Ofqual-regulated awarding organisation using this Tool: Ofqual - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Person Specification

Essential and Desirable

• Substantive experience within ophthalmology speciality
• Teamwork/Leadership Experience
• Evidence of completed Band 2 competencies in Ophthalmology
• Evidence of Level 3 Diploma in Clinical healthcare Support, Health & Social Care or relevant equivalent qualification
• Care Certificate from a Ofqual regulated awarding organisation
• Able to travel across sites (SEH, PRH, HPC)
• Understanding of the hospital environment and of a patient centred approach to care and teamwork.
• Understanding of visual acuity, visual fields testing, using auto refraction, to assist in minor operations and intra vitreal injections, accurate use of focimeter, record patient's blood pressure, pulse, respiration, temperature, blood glucose, take bloods, Electrocardiogram
• NHS experience or NHS primary care experience is required or an internationally educated nurse/midwife/doctor who has worked in an acute NHS Trust within recent years.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills acquisition, working at a higher-level standard of care delivery, equivalent to vocational qualification level 3. This is evidenced via a portfolio of practice and/or a professional discussion
• Evidence of completed Band 2 competencies in general areas/ward
• Venepuncture and Cannulation
• Evidence of personal development in the Band 2 role

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)

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.

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Sussex Eye Hospital with Occasional Travel to Princess Royal Hospital