Senior Healthcare Support Worker, Ophthalmology

Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Ashford; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Ashford and St Peters NHS foundation Trust is recruiting a Senior Health Care Support Worker (Band 3) in Ophthalmology. The post is full-time, 37.5 hours per week, with a salary of £27,106 to £28,850 per annum inc. HCAS.

You will provide direct patient care under supervision of a Registered Nurse, perform vital signs, moving and handling, infection prevention, safeguarding, and support ophthalmology clinics and treatments such as injections and post-operative care.

Qualifications

• Functional level of English and Maths.
• Care Certificate in Acute Care achieved through the NHS.
• Recognised level 3 Health and Social Care qualification.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

People skills

Teamwork

Organisational skills

Communication

Patient communication

Diversity awareness

Clinical skills

Education

English & Maths (functional)

Care Certificate in Acute Care

Level 3 Health & Social Care

Job description

Main area Healthcare Support Worker, Ophthalmology Grade NHS AfC: Band 3 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 323-ACS4931-MH

Employer Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Ashford and St Peters NHS Foundation Trust Town Ashford Salary £27,106 - £28,850 pa inc. HCAS Salary period Yearly Closing 08/11/2026 23:59 Interview date 23/11/2026

Senior Healthcare Support Worker, Ophthalmology

NHS AfC: Band 3

Job overview

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:

• Recent and previous NHS experience as a health care support worker for a minimum of six months
• 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.

Working for our organisation

Ashford and St. Peters Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is the largest provider of acute hospital services to Surrey residents, serving a population of 410,00 people and employing approximately 4,800 staff.

Our vision is to provide an outstanding experience and best outcomes for patients and the team. We are committed to providing continuous professional development and flexibility to deliver our workforce plan.

We are part of a collaborative Group with the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust. As part of this partnership, colleagues may occasionally work across both organisations to support shared services, development opportunities and patient care.

St Peter’s Hospital delivers complex medical and surgical care, maternity and emergency services. Day and orthopaedic surgery, ophthalmology and outpatient services are delivered at Ashford Hospital. Additional services are delivered at Woking Community Hospital.

Our Values provide us with the behaviours we respect and can commit to. By living our values through our everyday interactions, we can build a stronger, more resilient, and forward- thinking organisation, guiding us to achieve success and make a positive impact on how we deliver our services.

We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits and discounts.

Please note that adverts may close early, so early application is encouraged.

Detailed job description and main 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

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

Other Requirements

• 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

• Functional level of English and Maths
• Care Certificate in Acute Care achieved through the NHS
• Recognised level 3 Health and Social Care qualification

Experience

• Minimum of six months employed experience as a Healthcare Support Worker in the NHS
• Working as part of a team
• Previous experience training and supporting new staff
• Previous experience in Ophthalmology

Skills

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

Adverts may close early, so early application is encouraged.

Certificate of Sponsorship
In line with UKVI requirements, Band 2, Band 3 and Band 4 roles are not eligible for sponsorship.

Please note that only certain roles at Band 5 and above are eligible for sponsorship.

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.