Ophthalmic Healthcare Support Worker

Transformationunitgm; Torquay; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

An established healthcare provider seeks a dedicated Ophthalmic Healthcare Support Worker to join their team in Torquay. This role involves assisting qualified professionals in delivering high-quality care to patients with various ophthalmic conditions. You'll play a crucial role in patient assessments and diagnostics, ensuring the best outcomes for individuals in need of eye care. With a commitment to staff development and a supportive work environment, this position offers a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful impact in healthcare. If you're passionate about patient care and have the relevant experience, we encourage you to apply.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Career development opportunities

Staff Carers policy

Support for personal development

Qualifications

• Experience in the care sector and knowledge of the anatomy of the eye.
• Ability to perform ophthalmic diagnostic tests and assessments.

Responsibilities

• Assist registered nurses in planning and delivering patient care.
• Perform ophthalmic assessments and support in diagnostic testing.

Skills

Ophthalmic assessment

Patient care

Basic IT skills

Literacy and numeracy

Education

NVQ 2 in healthcare

NVQ 3 in healthcare

Tools

Medisight

Job description

Main area Ophthalmology Grade NHS AfC: Band 3 Contract Permanent: No previous applicants may apply Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday - Sunday working) Job ref 388-7062336-ACS

Employer Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Torbay Town Torquay Salary £24,071 - £25,674 Per Annum Salary period Yearly Closing 14/05/2025 23:59

Ophthalmic Healthcare Support Worker

NHS AfC: Band 3

Job overview

-The Ophthalmology Department are recruiting a Band 3 Ophthalmic Healthcare Support Worker here at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust.

You will be working together as part of a multidisciplinary, professional team to assist the registered nurses and senior clinical staff in the planning, delivery and evaluation of care; by assisting the nursing staff to improve and maintain high standards of care, health and well-being of patients through assessment, treatment and rehabilitation, within the unit under indirect supervision.

Our staff are committed to providing high standards of individualized care for the people who use our services, whilst maintaining their privacy and dignity at all times. The post holder will provide an efficient specialised support service to patients allocated for diagnostic testing and assessment.

Main duties of the job

Ophthalmology is a branch of medicine dealing with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases of the eye and visual system.The eye, its surrounding structures and the visual system can be affected by a number of clinical conditions. Eye health services are becoming more and more important as the UK population ages.

An ageing population means there are more and more incidences of age-related diseases of the eye, such asage-related macular degeneration. These eye diseases can be successfully treated if caught early, and can be managed effectively with existing treatments and medicines.

As a Ophthalmic Technician, you will need to have worked in the ophthalmic unit for a period of twelve months and achieved the competencies expected. As the Ophthalmic Healthcare Support Worker, you will undertake ophthalmic assessment including visual acuity assessments, iCare ocular pressure measurements, ophthalmic diagnostics, Schirmer’s Test, (when competency pack completed) as required.

You will work alongside qualified professionals and participate in the delivery of planned care. Much of this role requires use of VDU equipment, Ophthalmic diagnostics, with frequent long periods of sitting or standing. Frequent use of a range of web-based systems such as Medisight and other IT software.

Working for our organisation

Having a career that is personally rewarding is great. Joining Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust can provide you with a job that provides personal fulfilment, job security and flexibility. The successful candidate will be joining a dynamic, multidiscipline team working together to achieve the best outcome for our patients. This role presents the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others by providing care in their time of need.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

As an ophthalmic healthcare support worker you will exercise an agreed degree of professional autonomy to make judgements and decisions in order to satisfy the expectations and demands of the role. You will develop an understanding and knowledge of the the anatomy and physiology of the eye to perform ophthalmic diagnostic tests tests on patients presenting with a variety of ophthalmic conditions.

You will prioritise own tasks under the direction of appropriate professional. Having an a wareness of Ophthalmology care recognising and reporting all adverse findings to the appropriate professional.

As a ophthalmic Healthcare Support Worker you will be supporting the ophthalmic service as well as being expected to work in peripheral clinics and or theatre environments independently with clinicians.

Further vacancy details can be found on the Job Description.

Person specification

Qualifications and Experience

• Recent experience gained in the care sector
• NVQ 2 in healthcare
• Hospital Experience
• Knowledge of the anatomy of the eye
• NVQ3
• Ophthalmic experience
• An understanding of ophthalmic conditions.

Knowledge and experience

• To be able to demonstrate a level of literacy and numeracy skills
• Basic IT skills
• Previous knowledge of hospital computer systems

Specific skills

• Able to work long days and fulfil out of hours on call service

You will be joining the organisation at an exciting time. As the first fully integrated care organisation in England, we are working to improve the way we deliver safe, high-quality health and social care. We have a positive and vibrant working atmosphere, we are proud of our investment in our staff both in terms of developing potential career skills and valuing people.

If you provide support to a family member or friend with health or care needs, we aim to be a Carer-friendly employer. We have a ‘Staff Carers’ policy which includes flexible working where possible and a Carer’s Passport scheme that links you into support and discounts.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• We reserve the right to close vacancies early if we receive a high volume of applications. Therefore, we encourage you to apply promptly.
• Please read the job description carefully and tailor your application to reflect the requirements of the role.
• Applicants who identify in their application form they are a part of the Armed Forces community will be guaranteed an interview, provided they meet the minimum essential criteria outlined in the job description and person specification for the role. Step into Health guidance can be found on our NHS Employers website.
• Correspondence will be sent via Trac, text, and email. Please ensure you check your email and Trac account regularly.
• Applicants with no previous NHS experience will ordinarily be appointed to the minimum of the band.
• If you have not received an invitation to interview within 28 days of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
• It is your responsibility to ensure the timely receipt of appropriate references.

The Trust is committed to preventing discrimination, valuing diversity and achieving equality of opportunity. No person (staff, patient or public) will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of the nine protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. If you require support you can obtain this from our Equality Business Forum which has representatives from all protected groups.

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.