Associate Ophthalmic Science Practitioner

Transformation Unit; Nottingham; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking an Associate Ophthalmic Science Practitioner for a fixed-term 6-month role in the Ophthalmology department. The post involves performing imaging assessments such as OCT and visual fields to support diagnosis and management, with the AOSP acting as the main contact for clinical appointments.

Applicants should have experience in ophthalmic imaging; those without full exposure may start as Band 3 trainee and progress to Band 4 after competency

Qualifications

• Educated to GCSE or equivalent standard with passes at A – C or equivalent in English and Maths
• Degree in Ophthalmic Imaging or Ophthalmic related subject

Responsibilities

• Perform Humphrey automated and Octopus manual visual fields and biometric assessments
• Use specialist equipment to gain accurate measurements
• Work with multidisciplinary team to deliver high quality patient care
• Supervise trainees and junior staff in technical assessments
• Support flexible service delivery including varied shifts

Skills

Ophthalmic imaging

Visual field testing

OCT

Biometry

Education

GCSE English & Maths

Degree in Ophthalmic Imaging

Tools

IOL Master

Ultrasound Biometry

Humphrey Visual Field

Octopus Perimeter

Job description

Main area Ophthalmology Grade Band 4 Contract Fixed term: 6 months (The working pattern will be varied across the week to support service need. This includes working weekday, weekends, bank holiday days and varying hours between 7am and 8pm.) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 164-8149493

Employer Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust Employer type NHS Site QMC Campus Town Nottingham Salary £28,392 - £31,157 B3 as a training role, moving to B4 on completion Salary period Yearly Closing 05/10/2026 23:59

Associate Ophthalmic Science Practitioner

Band 4

Job overview

An exciting opportunity for a fixed term Associate Ophthalmic Science Practitioner to join a busy ophthalmology department.

The job plan includes performing technical and imaging assessments to support the diagnosis and management of patients attending the service. The expansion of our virtual clinic services puts the AOSP as the sole point of contact for the clinical appointment, good communication and organisational skills are required for this undertaking. The post-holders will work closely with our optometry, orthoptic and medical teams and playing a key role in the delivery of the ophthalmology services direct patient care.

The role is suitable for candidates that have experience in undertaking a range of imaging assessments e.g. OCT , and intraocular pressure, visual acuity measurement and visual field assessment. Applicants who do not have a full range of experience will commence as a trainee Associate Ophthalmic Science Practitioner at Band 3 and progress to Band 4 on completion of in-house competency training.

Main duties of the job

Participate in the of delivery care across all elements of the Ophthalmology service providing technical services across a wide range of ophthalmic practice.

Demonstrate sound clinical decision making skills across all Ophthalmic technical assessments to ensure accurate measurements are achieved.

Demonstrate a high degree of accuracy in using specialist equipment to gain accurate measurements.

Demonstrate good communication skills and the ability to work with a wide range of patients and as part of a multi-disciplinary team

To supervise new members of staff and colleagues in training in all technical assessment undertaken.

Work flexibly to support the needs of the service, this may include training for additional roles.

Demonstrate a good team working ethic in the delivery of high quality patient care.

Use time management and organisational skills to ensure smooth running of the individual clinics and wider service.

Working for our organisation

With over 19,000 staff, we are one of the biggest employers in the city with a central role in supporting the health and wellbeing of our local population. We play a leading role in research, education and innovation.

Come and join our wonderful team at NUH. We are big believers in diversity and welcome new ideas to help develop our team in order to deliver world class healthcare to the vast patient populations we serve. With endless personal development opportunities available, at NUH we will endeavour to turn your job into a career!

We particularly welcome applications from people who identify as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, or Disabled, as we are striving to be better represented at NUH.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

In addition to the below summary you need to familiarise yourself with Job Description and Person Specification documents attached to his advert.

As an Associate Ophthalmic Science Practitioner you will maintain the delivery of a high standard of clinical work across all areas. This includes performing Humphrey automated and Octopus manual visual fields, undertaking biometric assessment on patients using ultrasonography and optical biometry, performing optical coherence tomography and measurement of visual acuity and intra-ocular pressure.

Work as a flexible member of the wider Ophthalmic team undertaking technical assessment on patients of all ages and who have various communication abilities and who have been referred from a variety of sources.

To use analytical and judgement skills to tailor the delivery of care to the needs of individual patients and be able to adapt emotional, mental and physical responses appropriately. This requires maintaining concentration for prolonged periods whilst coping with the competing demands of unplanned daily clinical workload and frequent interruption.

To demonstrate considerable manual dexterity and speed in a variety of clinical procedures to ensure accurate results and images.

To participate in departmental audit and research projects as required.

Ensure compliance with infection control procedures.

Ensure compliance with our clinical governance framework.

The successful candidate will be working with the multidisciplinary team in the Ophthalmology Department comprising of Orthoptists, Optometrists, Ophthalmologists, Technicians, OSPs, the nursing and admin teams.

Ophthalmology is a busy department in a large teaching hospital and the Ophthalmic Technician and Ophthalmic Imaging services are extremely busy, with a mix of booked appointments and on demand services.

Ophthalmology Services include eye casualty, day case, in-patient and outpatient facilities. It has strong links to the University of Nottingham through research and works closely with the regional Diabetic Eye Screening Service. We have a large team of Consultant Ophthalmologists, who provide outpatient and surgical services in a full range of Ophthalmology sub-speciality clinics.

The post holder will be required to work various shifts to support the needs of the service. This includes working weekdays, weekends, bank holiday days and varying hours with the earliest start time at 7.00am and the latest finish at 8.00pm. You are strongly urged to consider your suitability to meet the service requirements prior to applying for this post.

Person specification

Training and Qualifications

• Educated to GCSE or equivalent standard with passes at A – C or equivalent in English and Maths
• Degree in Ophthalmic Imaging or Ophthalmic related subject

Experience

• Recent ophthalmic clinical experience
• Previous experience in dealing with patient/public or customer care skills.
• Use of IOL master and/or ultrasound for Biometry

Communication and relationship

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Able to work under own initiative or as team member

Organisational Skills

• Meticulous attention to detail

Physical skills

• Working hours between 7.30am and 8.00pm (vary day to day)

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Salary:

Salary will be on a pro rata basis for part time workers.

Disability Confidence: All applicants who have declared a disability and who meet the essential criteria for the post will be shortlisted.

At Risk of redundancy: NHS employees within the East Midlands who are ‘at risk’ of redundancy will be given a preferential interview where they meet the essential criteria of the person specification.