Senior Healthcare Support Worker, Ophthalmology

NHS; Ashford; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare foundation in Ashford is seeking a Senior Health Care Support Worker to assist in patient care, support nurses, and train less experienced staff. Candidates must have previous NHS experience, a Care Certificate, and a recognized level 3 qualification. This position offers competitive salary and benefits including pension schemes and career development support.

Benefits

Excellent pension scheme

On-site nurseries

On-site parking

Salary sacrifice schemes

Qualifications

• Minimum of six months employed experience as a Healthcare Support Worker in the NHS.
• Able to demonstrate honesty, reliability, and trustworthiness.
• Ability to be flexible to meet the needs of patients and the team.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the supervision and training of less experienced HCAs.
• Looking after patients pre and post-op eye surgery.
• Communicate any changes observed in a patient's condition.

Skills

Excellent people, communication and telephone skills

Ability to work without constant supervision

Organized and able to work under pressure

Understanding of patient's communication needs

Education

Level 2 or equivalent English and Math

Care Certificate in Acute Care

Recognised level 3 qualification

Job description

Job summary

Ashford and St Peters NHS foundation Trust is now recruiting for a Senior Health Care Support Workers(Band 3) in the Ophthalmology Department.

Candidates applying for this post must possess and be able to demonstrate within the application form the following essential criteria:

o Recent and previous NHS experience as a health care support worker for a minimum of six monthso Having successfully achieved the Care Certificate within an NHS setting and recognised level 3 qualification.

Only candidates that meet the above will be considered for this post.

In brief, you will be carrying out assigned tasks involved with direct patient care whilst maintaining the privacy and dignity of patients. This will be whilst demonstrating excellent care, compassion and communication, and in support of and supervised by a Registered Nurse or Nursing Associate, incorporating:

• Undertaking and recording of Vital Signs
• Moving & Handling of patients to support independence
• Infection Prevention and Control
• Safeguarding of adults and children.

Main duties of the job

Assist the Medical team or Nurse practitioners in completing intravitreal injections, minor operations and cross-linking clinics

Assist in the supervision and training of less experienced HCAs, also help in the orientation of new nurses and support student nurses alongside the trained nurses.

Looking after patient's pre and post op eye surgery and assisting with basic care.

Taking patients to theatre and collecting patients' post-surgery following LA.

Working in the eye clinic completing vision, visual field test and eye pressure tests.

To liaise with the multi-disciplinary team as required, e.g. Orthoptists, Photography team, Eye Clinic liaison officer, and admin support.

You will be expected in your role as a B3 HCA, to work as a member of the ophthalmic team undertaking Patient Care in a specialised area. To be able to complete essential competency-based assessments for patients being cared for within the Eye Unit, attending for Eye Day surgery or the eye clinic.

Teach patients safe drop instillation technique, including use of drop aids.

Assist registered nurses in admitting and discharging of patients in the eye ward.

Communicate in a timely manner to the nurse in charge any changes observed in a patient's condition or any worries the Patient or their family and carers have.

About us

Ashford and St. Peters Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust serves a population of more than 410,000 people living in North-West Surrey, parts of Hounslow and beyond.

Over 3,700 highly trained doctors, nurses, midwives, therapists, healthcare scientists and other support staff make up our workforce, providing a wide range of services across our two hospital sites, Ashford, Surrey and St Peter's, Chertsey, Surrey.

We also run many specialist clinics in the community and local community hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

Our vision is to be one of the best healthcare Trusts in the country. There has never been a better time to join us in the NHS at ASPH. We are committed to providing continuous professional development and flexibility to shape our workforce around our patient care.

We are expanding our theatres at Ashford Hospital and moving towards this becoming our dedicated elective centre. We want to create a state-of-the-art centre for excellence for planned surgical procedures.

We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits/discounts and in addition:

• Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement
• On-site Nurseries
• On-site staff cafes
• On-site parking
• Support in career development
• Salary Sacrifice schemes including wage stream, lease cars, Cycle to Work schemes and home electronics

Adverts may close early, so applicants are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.

For more information about a career at ASPH please visit:www.asph-careers.org

Details Date posted

14 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£26,240 to £27,928 a year pa inc. HCAS

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

323-ACS2085-GK

Job locations

Ashford and St Peters NHS foundation Trust

London Road

Ashford

TW15 3AA

Job description Job responsibilities

Please see the Main duties of the Job for a brief overview and then the attached Job Description for further full details.

Job description Job responsibilities

Please see the Main duties of the Job for a brief overview and then the attached Job Description for further full details.

Person Specification Knowledge Essential

• Trust vision, values and behaviours and strategic objectives
• Understanding of the role of the Healthcare Support Worker in the hospital setting

Other Requirements Essential

• Able to demonstrate that you are honest, reliable and trustworthy
• Treat patients, visitors and colleagues with respect
• Ability to be flexible to meet the needs of the patients, the team, the service and the Trust. This could include shift work during a 7-day working pattern
• Residing in the UK with a valid right to work documentation to work in the UK

Qualifications Essential

• Level 2 or equivalent English and Math
• Care Certificate in Acute Care
• Recognised level 3 qualification

Desirable

• Level 3 Health and Social Care qualification

Experience Essential

• Minimum of six months employed experience as a Healthcare Support Worker in the NHS
• Working as part of a team

Desirable

• Previous experience training and supporting new staff
• Previous experience in Ophthalmology

Skills Essential

• Excellent people, communication and telephone skills
• Ability to work without constant supervision and as part of a team
• To be organized and be able to work under pressure
• You are able to communicate effectively to ensure high standards of care, treatment and service or support as appropriate to your role.
• Patient facing roles - be able to understand an individual's communication, physical & emotional needs; recognise their needs and preferences.

Desirable

• You have knowledge & awareness of diversity and human rights as appropriate to your role
• Extended Clinical Skills

Person Specification Knowledge Essential

• Trust vision, values and behaviours and strategic objectives
• Understanding of the role of the Healthcare Support Worker in the hospital setting

Other Requirements Essential

• Able to demonstrate that you are honest, reliable and trustworthy
• Treat patients, visitors and colleagues with respect
• Ability to be flexible to meet the needs of the patients, the team, the service and the Trust. This could include shift work during a 7-day working pattern
• Residing in the UK with a valid right to work documentation to work in the UK

Qualifications Essential

• Level 2 or equivalent English and Math
• Care Certificate in Acute Care
• Recognised level 3 qualification

Desirable

• Level 3 Health and Social Care qualification

Experience Essential

• Minimum of six months employed experience as a Healthcare Support Worker in the NHS
• Working as part of a team

Desirable

• Previous experience training and supporting new staff
• Previous experience in Ophthalmology

Skills Essential

• Excellent people, communication and telephone skills
• Ability to work without constant supervision and as part of a team
• To be organized and be able to work under pressure
• You are able to communicate effectively to ensure high standards of care, treatment and service or support as appropriate to your role.
• Patient facing roles - be able to understand an individual's communication, physical & emotional needs; recognise their needs and preferences.

Desirable

• You have knowledge & awareness of diversity and human rights as appropriate to your role
• Extended Clinical Skills

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details Employer name

Ashford & St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Ashford and St Peters NHS foundation Trust

London Road

Ashford

TW15 3AA

Employer's website

https://www.ashfordstpeters.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Ashford & St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Ashford and St Peters NHS foundation Trust

London Road

Ashford

TW15 3AA

Employer's website

https://www.ashfordstpeters.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)