Senior Healthcare Support Worker, Ophthalmology

The Methodist Church in Britain; Greater London; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS benefits

NHS discounts

Continuous professional development

Job summary

A senior Healthcare Support Worker is sought for the Ophthalmology Department at Ashford & St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The role covers direct patient care on the eye ward, in the eye clinic and day surgery, including pre/post-operative care and theatre transfers.

You will work under a registered nurse or nursing associate, supervising less experienced HCAs and supporting student nurses, with a 7-day shift pattern possible.

Qualifications

• Care Certificate in Acute Care achieved through the NHS.
• Level 3 qualification.
• Functional level of English and Maths.
• Recent NHS HCA experience (6 months).
• Ability to work within a team in a hospital setting.

Responsibilities

• Assist the medical team with intravitreal injections, minor operations and cross-linking clinics.
• Provide direct patient care including pre and post-operative care while maintaining privacy and dignity.
• Take patients to theatre and collect them after surgery under local anaesthetic.
• Carry out vision, visual field and eye pressure tests and competency assessments.
• Assist registered nurses with admitting and discharging patients on the eye ward.
• Undertake and record patients' vital signs.
• Move and handle patients to support independence.
• Maintain infection prevention and safeguarding of all.
• Supervise and train less experienced HCAs and orient student nurses.
• Teach safe eye drop instillation and use of drop aids.
• Liaise with multidisciplinary team including orthoptists and eye clinic staff.
• Report changes in patient condition to the nurse in charge.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Patient care

Organisation

Privacy and dignity

Education

Care Certificate

Level 3 qualification

English & Maths (Functional)

Job description

The Ophthalmology Department at Ashford & St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting a Senior Healthcare Support Worker to give direct care on the eye ward, in the eye clinic and on day surgery. Work covers pre and post-operative care, theatre transfers and clinic tests, under a registered nurse or nursing associate. The post also supervises and trains less experienced HCAs and supports student nurses, with shift work on a 7-day pattern possible. Candidates need six months' recent NHS HCA experience and the Care Certificate.

What the job involves

• Assist the medical team or nurse practitioners with intravitreal injections, minor operations and cross-linking clinics
• Provide direct patient care, including pre and post-operative care, while maintaining privacy and dignity
• Take patients to theatre and collect them after surgery under local anaesthetic
• Carry out vision, visual field and eye pressure tests and competency-based assessments in the eye unit, day surgery and eye clinic
• Assist registered nurses with admitting and discharging patients on the eye ward
• Undertake and record patients' vital signs
• Move and handle patients to support their independence
• Maintain infection prevention and control and safeguarding of adults and children
• Support the supervision and training of less experienced HCAs, orient new nurses and support student nurses
• Teach patients safe eye drop instillation, including use of drop aids
• Liaise with the multidisciplinary team, including orthoptists, the photography team, the eye clinic liaison officer and admin support
• Report changes in a patient's condition, and concerns from patients, families or carers, to the nurse in charge

What’s required

Qualifications

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

Experience

• Recent and previous NHS experience as a healthcare support worker for a minimum of six months
• Working as part of a team

Skills & knowledge

• Understanding of the role of the healthcare support worker in the hospital setting
• Knowledge of the Trust's vision, values, behaviours and strategic objectives
• Excellent people, communication and telephone skills
• Ability to work without constant supervision
• Organised and able to work under pressure
• Understanding of an individual's communication, physical and emotional needs

Checks & eligibility

• Right to work in the UK with valid documentation

Other

• Honest, reliable and trustworthy
• Treat patients, visitors and colleagues with respect
• Flexible to meet patient, team, service and Trust needs, including shift work on a 7-day pattern

Nice to have

• Recognised level 3 health and social care qualification
• Previous experience training and supporting new staff
• Previous experience in ophthalmology
• Knowledge and awareness of diversity and human rights
• Extended clinical skills

What’s offered

• Full range of NHS benefits
• NHS discounts
• Continuous professional development