Ophthalmic Assistant

Newmedica; Norwich; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension

Free eye tests

Glasses discount

Death in service

Well-being/counselling service

Retail/tech discount

Learning & development

Modern working environment

Job summary

Newmedica is seeking an Ophthalmic Assistant for our Norwich site. The role is 40 hours over 4 days per week, including weekends on a rota. You will greet patients, perform initial diagnostic tests, and support clinicians during consultations.

Experience with patients or in a customer-facing role is advantageous. Training is provided; Office 365 skills and comfort with new systems are valued. A supportive, caring environment promotes development within a multidisciplinary team.

Qualifications

• Experience in patient-facing roles is advantageous.
• Knowledge of eye physiology or interest to learn more about it is beneficial.
• Proficient with Office 365 and comfortable using new systems such as patient records or diagnostic programmes.
• Excellent command of English, both spoken and written.
• Experience handling patient records, GP communications and diagnostic data.
• Good teamwork and willingness to support colleagues when required.

Responsibilities

• Take patients through a range of diagnostic tests.
• Pass test results to a senior clinician to determine treatment or surgery.
• Use various equipment and diagnostic software; be tech‑savvy.
• Explain the purpose of tests to ensure patient understanding.

Skills

Patient-facing experience

Eye physiology knowledge

Office 365 proficient

Strong English

Data handling

Team player

Job description

Who are we?

Newmedica is one of the leading providers of NHS ophthalmology services in England, delivering outpatient appointments, diagnostic testing and eye surgery to change lives through better sight and eye health.

We’re proud to have been certified as a Great Place to Work for the third year running and listed among the UK’s top 30 Best Workplaces™ for 2026 —recognition that reflects how colleagues feel about working here.

Our Purpose is to change lives through better sight and eye health, and our Vision is to end avoidable sight loss in every community we serve; we live our values every day—Commercial, Courageous, Compassion, Collaborative and Curious.

Role overview

We are looking for an Ophthalmic Assistant to join our Norfolk site. This will be 40 hours over 4 days per week, including weekends on a rota basis.

Our Ophthalmic Assistants are the face of Newmedica – they’re often amongst the first people that our patients interact with on clinic visits and so having a welcoming, friendly, empathetic approach is vital.

It’s a busy role - you’ll be seeing a number of patients each day to take them through a range of diagnostic tests. These will be passed onto a senior clinician to ascertain if surgery or further treatment is required. You’ll be using a variety of different equipment and systems so we’re looking for someone who is comfortable using systems and is fairly tech savvy.

The thought of eye surgery can be a daunting prospect for patients to deal with, so our Ophthalmic Assistants need to be able to put patients at ease. They also need strong communication skills to be able to explain the purpose of the different tests to ensure the patient understands their treatment.

This is a great role to progress your clinical skills or to take the first step on a clinical career path. Newmedica is committed to the growth and development of all our colleagues and the Ophthalmic Assistant is a great platform to potentially explore a career in diagnostic (clinic) or theatre teams.

What skills and experience do I need?

We’ll provide training so experience isn’t always needed, but the following things will be advantageous:

• Previous experience of working with patients or in a customer facing role.
• Knowledge of eye physiology and treatment or a keen interest to build knowledge in this area.
• A competent user of all Office 365 programmes & comfortable working on new systems such as patient record systems or diagnostic programmes.
• An excellent grasp of the English language both verbally and in written format.
• Experience of dealing with a variety of data for example patient records, GP and patient correspondence and diagnostic test results.
• A good team player – happy to jump in and support others when required.

What we’re offering

• A salary of £28,119 per annum
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.

• A company pension scheme.
• Access to a range of benefits including free eye tests, discounted or free glasses, a death in service scheme, a free 24/7 well-being/counselling/advice service and a retail/technology discount scheme.

• An environment where your learning and development is supported through a range of various learning tools and courses.
• Working with a friendly multi-disciplinary team passionate about improving the lives of our patients.
• A bright, spacious and modern working environment, built to the highest standards.

Our employment offers are subject to receipt of satisfactory pre-employment checks. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK and a Disclosure and Barring Service check will be necessary in the event of a successful application which we will pay for.

At Newmedica, we actively promote diversity and equal opportunities, and we are committed to this in both the running of our services and how we recruit our staff. We actively encourage applications from everyone with the essential requirements of the job, regardless of any protected characteristics.

Newmedica is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of all people, irrespective of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, race, language, religion, ethnic or social origin.