Ophthalmology Technician | University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

UHCW NHS Trust; Coventry; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare organization in Coventry seeks an experienced professional to support the Emergency Eye Referral Service and Ophthalmology Outpatients Service. The role involves mentoring new staff, conducting essential tests, and delivering specialized care to both pediatric and adult patients. Ideal candidates will possess experience in ophthalmology and the ability to empathetically handle patient information. This position includes some late shifts, emphasizing teamwork and a commitment to care excellence.

Qualifications

• Experience in delivering specialist ophthalmic care to patients.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
• Competence in conducting diagnostic tests.

Responsibilities

• Mentor and support new staff in the team.
• Manage clinic setup and stock control.
• Administer medications under supervision.

Skills

Empathetic handling

Ocular measurements

Communication skills

Tools

Pentacam

Pachymetry

Auto-refractor

Job description

Job Summary

To support the Emergency Eye Referral Service and Ophthalmology Outpatients Service in clinic 9, Outpatients Department University Hospital and Macular Unit at Rugby St Cross Hospital. The service runs 6 days a week Monday‑Saturday with some late shifts expected as part of your working week. The post holder will work closely with the wider Ophthalmology team to provide leadership and support to the team.

Successful applicants will be required to provide an immunisation and vaccination report, from either their current UK occupational health provider or their UK GP.

The post holder will work closely with the wider Ophthalmology team to supply and deliver specialist ophthalmic care to paediatric and adult patients in EERS and outpatients. Responsible for conducting essential tests and investigator procedures to assist in diagnosing eye conditions, escalating concerns beyond their scope of practice, and assisting the nursing team with assessing, planning, implementing, monitoring care and providing advice and guidance to patients, their families and other professionals.

They will provide and receive complex, sensitive, confidential and emotive information that requires empathetic handling and management. The post holder will work under the supervision of the Registered Nurses and wider clinical team to support the day‑to‑day running of the service, delivering care to the patients and supporting families, undertaking training for visual acuity, measuring intra‑ocular pressures (IOP) with handheld devices, colour vision and checking for relative afferent pupillary defects (RAPDs), and a variety of other diagnostic tests, including blood pressures, pulse, temperature, and documenting findings in electronic patient records as well as administering ocular medications once competent under trust governance.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a mentor / buddy to new staff and contribute to service development, supporting the team with providing care.
• Complete competency‑based training including visual acuity, intra‑ocular pressure, colour vision testing and RAPDs, using Pentacam, pachymetry, focimeter and auto‑refractor.
• Instill eye drops following completion of a competency course under the supervision of nursing staff.
• Complete and assess competency courses for oculoplastic procedures and corneal cross‑linking procedures.
• Work within the Eye Emergency Service, responding to emergencies, reporting and escalating any concerns or delays in a timely manner to the RN.
• Manage environmental aspects such as setting up clinics, maintaining cleanliness and IPC standards, and stock control, ordering through the trust procurement process.
• Communicate with a range of other staff across all disciplines and liaison with other health care providers within the Trust and primary care settings regarding diagnosis and treatment advice.
• Support the staff within the wider ophthalmology team and ensure fair allocation of work where necessary.
• Complete all associated documentation and record‑keeping.
• Actively participate and support the nursing team in setting, monitoring and evaluating standards of care in partnership with other members of the ophthalmic multidisciplinary team.
• Identify personal training and knowledge deficits, upskill to provide the specialist care required in the ophthalmic specialty, supporting new and existing staff to become competent and capable practitioners.
• Take part in education and training to develop skills.
• Support the clinical team with maintenance of ophthalmic equipment, reporting or escalating concerns or damages as a priority.
• Liaise with staff in the wider ophthalmic team to discuss governance issues and assist clinical governance and service development.
• Participate positively in service and departmental meetings to aid service delivery and improvement.
• Be aware of, and comply with, the fire policy, infection control, Health and Safety at Work Act and other hospital policies and procedures.
• Maintain patient and relative confidentiality at all times.
• Maintain responsibility for professional and specialist development and registration.
• Participate in regular performance appraisal and other staff requirements.

For further details please see the attached job description.

This advert closes on Sunday 16 Nov 2025.