Ophthalmic Technical Healthcare Assistant

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust; Buckingham; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Part time

Job summary

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust is seeking an Ophthalmic Technical Healthcare Assistant (Band 3) for Buckingham Hospital. The role is part-time (30.75 hours per week), with job share and flexible working options.

Responsibilities include assisting ophthalmology clinics, supporting the nursing team, and performing diagnostic imaging tests as required. Prior HCA or ophthalmology experience is beneficial; enthusiasm to learn is essential.

Qualifications

• Ability to communicate clearly with multidisciplinary team and patients
• Demonstrates courteous manner and confidentiality
• Manual dexterity to perform imaging and record results
• Writes clearly in English
• Willing to learn and work in busy environment
• NVQ Level 1/2; ophthalmology knowledge desirable

Responsibilities

• Communicate with staff and respond appropriately
• Assist with admission, transfer and discharge of patients
• Make unoccupied and occupied beds
• Assist patients in getting in and out of bed, dressing and undressing
• Clean beds and lockers after discharge
• Answer patient call-bells and take appropriate action
• Answer telephone and take messages
• Assist in ward area cleanliness and tidiness including kitchen, sluice and storerooms

Skills

Communication

English proficiency

Teamwork

Confidentiality

Computer skills

Education

NVQ Level 1/2

Basic education

NVQ Level 3 (in progress)

Ophthalmology knowledge

Job description

Ophthalmic Technical Healthcare Assistant

Band 3

Main area Community Ophthalmology Out-Patients Grade Band 3 Contract Permanent Hours

• Part time
• Job share
• Flexible working

30.75 hours per week Job ref 434-SCC7706361-C

Site Buckingham Hospital Town Buckingham Salary £25,760 - £27,476 per annum pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 12/10/2026 23:59

Be part of our BHT family

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust (BHT) is an integrated provider of acute hospital and community services for people living in Buckinghamshire and the surrounding area.

We care for over half a million patients every year:

• Provide specialist spinal services at our world renowned National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, the birthplace of the Paralympics
• Nationally recognised for urology and skin cancer services
• Regional specialist centre for burns, plastic surgery, dermatology, stroke and cardiac services
• Deliver community services in health centres, schools, patients’ own homes, community hospitals and community hubs.

More than 6,500 people from different nations, cultures and backgrounds work for us.

We would be happy to discuss possible flexible working options. We strive to be a family friendly, inclusive employer.

If you require any assistance in making this application, please contact [e-mail] or phone [phone].

We pride ourselves in being a great place to work and invite you to join our BHT family.

Job overview

Job overview

Are you someone who enjoys looking after people? Would you enjoy working with new healthcare technology? You may be an experienced Band 2 Healthcare Assistant or someone looking for a new direction in your career. Buckingham Hospital Community Ophthalmology department is looking to increase their Ophthalmic Technical Healthcare Assistant workforce.

We are currently seeking highly motivated people to join our nursing team. The successful applicant will be a highly motivated person who is quick and willing to learn new skills. It would be great if you already have experience as a Health Care Assistant or have previously worked in an Ophthalmology setting, but most important is enthusiasm to learn and the ability to work in a busy environment.

The role will include working alongside the Ophthalmic nurses, assessing the patients attending Ophthalmology clinics and performing the diagnostic imaging tests that those patients require. You will be expected to assist the nursing team in the safe and effective delivery of patient-focused care in all areas of the Ophthalmology department.

Main duties of the job

• Communication with other members of the organisation and respond appropriately
• Assist with admission, transfer and discharge of patients.
• Make unoccupied beds and occupied beds.
• Assist patients out of bed, helping with dressing and undressing as required
• Clean beds and lockers after discharge of patient according to hospital policy
• Answer patient call-bells and take appropriate action.
• Answer telephone in the correct manner and take messages as appropriate.
• Assist in the general cleanliness and tidiness of ward area including kitchen, sluice and storerooms

Working for our organisation

Listen to why colleagues think we are a great place to work!

What does Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust offer you?

• As part of our BHT family, you’ll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression.
• We offer flexible and agile working opportunities, alongside your NHS benefits of generous annual leave entitlement, pension and access to NHS discount schemes.
• We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce.

Why work for us?

• We’re committed to promoting inclusion and making sure all colleagues feel they belong. We encourage new colleagues from a diverse range of backgrounds to apply.
• As an employer, we aim to create a workplace where differences are valued and colleagues treat one another with dignity and respect.
• Greater diversity within our BHT family improves positive outcomes for the people and communities we serve.

What do we stand for?

• Our vision is to provide outstanding care, support healthy communities and be a great place to work.
• Our mission is to provide personal and compassionate care every time.
• Our CARE values are collaborate, aspire, respect and enable.

A keen supporter of the Armed Forces Community who know the value of employing a service leaver/veteran and their families.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For a comprehensive list of responsibilities and duties, please kindly refer to the Job Description and Person Specification by downloading the JD and PS attachment in the advert.

If you are an internal applicant there is the option for secondment, all applicants must have the endorsement/support of their line manager prior to application.

If you have a disability that makes submitting this online application difficult and would like assistance, please contact us on [e-mail] quoting the vacancy reference number.

Person specification

Skills, Abilities & Knowledge

• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely with multidisciplinary team patients and carers in written and spoken English
• Demonstrates a courteous manner with all individuals who he/she comes into contact with e.g. patients, relatives, staff etc.
• Manually dextrous in order to examine with speed, precision and minimal discomfort and to be able to record results accurately
• Ability to write clearly and legibly in English
• Able to take messages and pass them on accordingly Understands concept of confidentiality and standards of conduct and care
• Ability to use a computer

Experience

• Evidence of working in a busy environment
• Experience in a customer focused environment
• Understands nature of HCA duties Patient Care and Housekeeping duties
• Previous experience in a health care setting
• Understands nature of HCA duties

Education, Qualifications & Training

• Good basic education
• NVQ Level 1 or 2
• Experience within an ophthalmology setting
• Basic use of Microsoft word
• Working towards NVQ level 3
• Desirable to have a basic knowledge of the anatomy of the eye. Knowledge of eye conditions and their treatment. Knowledge of imaging procedures involved in role

PPE requirements: Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust requires all colleagues to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with our infection prevention and control procedures.

Flu vaccinations remain the best way to protect yourself, you family, your colleagues and of course our patients from the viruses when working in our healthcare settings. We encourage our staff to be vaccinated when recommended.

Application deadline: This post will close on the closing date stated at midnight, however if we receive a large number of applications or there is a change in circumstance, we may be required to close a job before the advertised date.

Contacting you: We will contact candidates through the email address supplied on their application form. Please make sure you check this regularly.

Application information: If you are offered a job, information will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records (ESR) system.

Shortlisting: The monitoring and safeguarding sections are not made visible to the shortlisting panel. The safeguarding section may be made visible to the interview panel, dependent on the role being recruited into.

Travel expenses: It is Trust policy that travel expenses for interviews will not be reimbursed.

Smoking: All Trust sites are NO SMOKING. Smoking in all areas of the buildings and premises is prohibited.

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.