Associate Ophthalmic Science Practitioner

Transformation Unit; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an Associate Ophthalmic Science Practitioner to perform ophthalmic imaging tests across four imaging sites in Sheffield. The role includes visual acuity testing, auto refraction, and tonometry to support patient investigations.

The successful candidate will join an NHS team at Band 3 level, providing essential eye care services, with opportunities for professional development within a supportive, patient-centered environment.

Qualifications

• GCE/GCSE level education or equivalent experience/qualifications.
• BTEC/SCOTVEC, City & Guilds, NVQ or other suitable qualification within a technical or science-based background or equivalent experience/qualifications.
• Experience working in healthcare.
• Patients First - An interest in working with people in a Health Care Setting.
• Effective written and verbal skills and ability to maintain accurate and timely records.

Responsibilities

• Optical Coherence Tomography Scanning.
• I care (contact) tonometry – determine eye pressure.
• Visual Field.
• Corneal Topography.
• Snellen visual acuity measurement.
• Log-Mar visual acuity measurement.
• Auto refraction - determine refractive error for purpose of investigation.
• Focimetry - determine prescription of optical aids.
• Pneumatic (non-contact) tonometry.

Skills

Communication skills

Record keeping

Education

GCE/GCSE or equivalent

Science-based qualification

Job description

Employer Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Royal Hallamshire Hospital Town Sheffield Salary £25,760 - £27,476 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 29/09/2026 23:59 Interview date 08/10/2026

Associate Ophthalmic Science Practitioner

NHS AfC: Band 3

We are committed to helping our staff balance their work and home lives and ensure they feel supported, valued and appreciated so whilst you care for our patients and clients, we’ll take care of you. We offer many different ways of helping staff including career development opportunities, flexible working, good annual leave and pension schemes , health and wellbeing packages and financial support systems. Joining the Trust also allows you access to a number of saving options via our salary sacrifice schemes and a wide range of discount opportunities with retailers and service providers.

Job overview

The role is involves working at the 4 Ophthalmic Imaging sites: Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Eye Imaging Hub, Northern General Eye Centre & Sheffield Childrens Hospital. Within the role the successful candidate will provide visual acuity testing, auto refraction and tonometry (eye pressure testing) for patients having Ophthalmic Imaging testing. You will also support the wider team in providing tests like retinal scanning and visual fields.

Main duties of the job

Optical Coherence Tomography Scanning

• I care (contact) tonometry – determine eye pressure
• Visual Field
• Corneal Topography
• Snellen visual acuity measurement
• Log-Mar visual acuity measurement
• Auto refraction - determine refractive error for purpose of investigation
• Focimetry - determine prescription of optical aids
• Pneumatic (non-contact

Working for our organisation

You will be working for an organisation which values and respects all of its staff and the community it serves. The Trust is a leader in the NHS and research sectors and provides excellent benefits for its staff. This includes commitments to professional development but also many policies to support employees in balancing their personal and professional lives.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please view the attached Job Description and Person Specification documents for full details regarding this post.

Person specification

Qualifications

• GCE/GCSE level education or equivalent experience/qualifications
• BTEC/SCOTVEC, City & Guilds, NVQ or other suitable qualification within a technical or science-based background or equivalent experience/qualifications

Experience

• Patients First - An interest in working with people in a Health Care Setting.
• Experience working in healthcare

Skills and Knowledge

• Effective written and verbal skills and ability to maintain accurate and timely records.

Personal Qualities

• Commitment to provide care with compassion, commitment and competence.
• Respectful - An understanding of the importance of effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Understanding of patients needs and providing care whilst maintaining dignity.
• Interest in developing and learning in the healthcare profession
• Willing to work flexibly and adapt to changing priorities when the need arises.

Please note that in order to comply with the UK Government’s rules on Skilled Worker sponsorship, any applicants who do not meet the eligibility requirements or concessions on salary thresholds under the Skilled Worker visa will not be eligible to receive sponsorship from the Trust. Please keep this in mind when submitting your application. Further details on these concessions, and who qualifies for them, can be found here .

The Trust is committed to its obligations in accordance with the Equality Act 2010, and we positively encourage applications from all sections of the community. Should you require any assistance in applying for the position please contact the General or Medical Human Resources Departments on the number identified on the NHS Jobs page for the organisation.

Job Share applicants are welcome for all full time posts unless indicated but cannot be guaranteed. In addition for Fixed Term Contracts, internal secondments may be considered, please seek the approval of your current line manager before applying for the position.

All employment with the Trust is subject to a number of NHS Employment Checks being met to a satisfactory standard including verification of identity, eligibility to work in the United Kingdom, references and qualifications in addition to professional registration, a disclosure and barring records check and occupational health check if these are deemed to be a requirement for the position to be undertaken.

For more information about our organisation and the opportunities available, please visit our website and follow us on Twitter and Facebook

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.