Healthcare Assistant

Optical Express; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

No night shift

29 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Free laser eye surgery and intraocular

Free eye tests

Eyewear discount

Friends and family discount

Training and development opportunities

Transparent management structure

6-week rota visibility

Job summary

Optical Express is seeking a Healthcare Assistant (Surgery Assistant) to support two surgical specialities across Cardiff and Bristol. The role involves travel to cover clinics, with weekend work expectations and training to perform designated tasks within LVC and IOL theatres.

Key responsibilities include pre-operative testing, patient care before and after procedures, laser equipment support, and ensuring smooth patient flow. Excellent communication and confidentiality are essential.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to absorb and convey highly technical information.
• Adaptable with a flexible approach to work.
• Excellent time management and prioritisation.
• Confidentiality, integrity and discretion.

Responsibilities

• Pre-operative testing; conducting tests and assisting during consent and treatment.
• Discharging patients; updating medical records and follow-up appointments.
• Laser technician: calibration of lasers and data handling.
• Co-ordinating patient flow to minimise waiting times.
• Assisting surgeons during consent and treatments; assisting in IOL/LVC theatres.
• End-of-day tasks: updating files, filing, reports and stock control.
• Report untoward incidents and participate in safety and risk management.

Skills

Communication

Technical information comprehension

Time management

Organisational skills

Confidentiality

Job description

Title: Healthcare Assistant Location: Cardiff and BristolHours: 40 Hours per weekSalary: £27,040 per annum

Optical Express is focused on delivering exceptional patient care, outstanding clinical outcomes and continued investment in our people and technology.

For over 35 years, millions of patients have trusted Optical Express with their eye care. As the UK's leading private provider of laser eye, premium intraocular lens and cataract surgery, our Surgeons undertake more laser procedures collectively than any other provider. We look after thousands of patients in our clinics every week and it’s a privilege to transform the lives of so many.

The Optical Express team work together, collectively and consistently striving for excellence. We support each other, respect each other and are committed to a culture of care, trust and integrity.The culture extends to our local communities, through our range of charitable and environmental projects. We focus on doing what is right for our patients, our colleagues, our local communities and our planet.

Due to continued growth, a fantastic opportunity has arisen to join Optical Express as a Healthcare Assistant (Surgery Assistant) within our Exeter clinic. The role involves travelling to cover other Optical Express surgery clinics, as well as an element of weekend working.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

Following appropriate training, supervised practice and competency achievement assessments, you will be able to undertake all designated roles within the surgery team working across two surgical specialities: laser vision correction department (LVC) and ophthalmic (IOL) theatres.

• Pre-operative testing; conducting tests prior to examination and treatment and assisting during the consent appointment process, including providing information to patients prior to their IOL or LVC procedure.
• Patient discharging; instructing the patient pre and post procedure on the care of the eyes, updating medical records, making follow up appointments.
• Laser technician; preparation and calibration of the lasers, understanding data, loading and transferring data, safe running of the lasers.
• Co‑ordinating: Controlling patient flow on the day of the consent appointment and surgery appointments to ensure minimum waiting times for patients and managing queries.
• Assisting the surgeon during consent appointments and treatments – acting as scrub assistant (LVC only); taking notes for the surgeon; instilling eye drops.
• Undertaking the role of ‘HCA’ (Healthcare Assistant) in IOL theatre to assist the surgical team and patients during surgery and associated tasks such as decontamination of instruments.
• Actively participating in the end of treatment day activities; updating patient files, filing, compiling ‘end of day’ reports for head office, cleaning the department, stock and lens ordering.
• Reporting untoward incidents – taking an active role in patient safety issues and quality and risk management.

Essential Skills

• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Ability to absorb and convey highly technical information
• Adaptable with a flexible approach to work
• Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritise tasks
• A confident and professional individual who has fantastic organisational skills
• Excellent telephone manner
• Demonstrate confidentiality, integrity and discretion

What’s in it for you?

• A market leading salary
• No night shift
• State of the art, modern working environments
• 29 days annual leave per year
• Pension scheme
• Free Laser Eye Surgery and Intraocular Lens Surgery
• Free eye tests
• Discounted prescription eyewear and sunglasses
• Generous Optical Express friends and family discount scheme
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• An accessible management team and transparent management structure
• Working in a larger clinical team means less pressure on our staff and more time to spend with our patients
• Full visibility of 6 week rota

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a global organisation where you will have the opportunity to grow and develop within a professional working environment.

Optical Express is an equal opportunities employer