Senior Ophthalmology Support Worker

Hywel Dda University Health Board; Haverfordwest; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Hywel Dda University Health Board in Wales is seeking a Nursing Support role within the Ophthalmology team. The post involves direct and indirect patient care under supervision of a Registered Nurse, with potential reception duties and travel between Withybush General Hospital and Cardigan Integrated Care Centre.

Interviews are scheduled for 18/11/2026. Welsh language ability is desirable, and staff are supported with bilingual communication with patients and professionals.

Qualifications

• Ophthalmology related experience.
• Welsh language ability desirable.
• NVQ levels relevant to health care and ophthalmology.

Responsibilities

• Work as part of a nursing team delivering direct and indirect patient care.
• Assist with administrative/reception duties as required.
• Travel between sites to support ophthalmology services.

Skills

Ophthalmology experience

Welsh language

Education

NVQ Level 2 health care

NVQ Level 3 ophthalmic/health care

Tools

IT qualification

Job description

The post holder will work as part of a team of nursing staff and will be required to carry out a range of assigned tasks involving direct and non-direct care for the benefit of the patient, and will be in support of and supervised by a Registered Nurse.

You may be required to undertake administrative / reception duties within this role.

This role covers the Pembrokeshire area, where care is delivered mainly from Withybush General Hospital, with planned work carried out at the Cardigan Integrated Care Centre once a week. Due to constant service developments, there may be occasional work delivered from other sites, or support required on other sites where Ophthalmology is provided, and being able to travel between sites is an essential part of the role.

The post holder will be expected to follow local training upon starting the role, to enable them to work at the required level.

Interviews to be held on 18/11/2026

Job summary

The post holder will work as part of a team of nursing staff and will be required to carry out a range of assigned tasks involving direct and non-direct care for the benefit of the patient, and will be in support of and supervised by a Registered Nurse.

You may be required to undertake administrative / reception duties within this role.

This role covers the Pembrokeshire area, where care is delivered mainly from Withybush General Hospital, with planned work carried out at the Cardigan Integrated Care Centre once a week. Due to constant service developments, there may be occasional work delivered from other sites, or support required on other sites where Ophthalmology is provided, and being able to travel between sites is an essential part of the role.

The post holder will be expected to follow local training upon starting the role, to enable them to work at the required level.

Interviews to be held on 18/11/2026

Main duties of the job

Working as part of a team assisting in the delivery of a high standard of care, acting in a professional manner at all times.

This post is of an evolving nature and the job description is based upon a flexible core competency framework that will enable the post holder to develop their role.

About us

Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.

We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.

We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.

Our services are provided in:

• Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
• Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
• Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
• 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
• Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services

Job description

Job responsibilities

You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.

The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Person Specification

Qualifications and knowledge

Essential

• Have a good understanding of health and /or social care e.g. Clinical observations etc. NVQ level 2/level 2 qualification in a health care related subject.
• NVQ level 2/level 2 qualification in a health care related subject.
• Level 3 NVQ/Agored Cymru training, in an ophthalmology / health care related subject appropriate to role, or equivalent experience such as covering clinics independently, independently performing diagnostic tests on a variety of Ophthalmology equipment, such as visual fields tests and OCTs. (Post holders with equivalent experience only must be willing to work towards obtaining a level 3 qualification appropriate to role)
• Recognises the need for lifelong learning.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the role and scope of practice for Ophthalmic Support staff and understands the principles of safe delegation of care.
• Knowledge of the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers in Wales and All Wales Delegation Guidelines (HEIW)
• Knowledge of relevant policies and procedures within a healthcare setting (for example the principles of Safeguarding adults/children to keep patients within their care safe), and confidentiality (for example General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)

Desirable

• Evidence of continuous professional development and further learning, e.g., level 4.
• IT Qualification.

Experience

Essential

• Ophthalmology related experience.
• Willingness to undertake additional essential training.

Desirable

• Experience of working in hospital environment
• Experience working in an ophthalmic department/service

Language skills

Desirable

• Welsh Speaker (Level 1)

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab) .

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab) .

Employer details

Employer name

Hywel Dda University Health Board

Address

Withybush General Hospital

Haverfordwest

SA61 2PZ

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://hduhb.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)

£26,813 to £27,890 a yearper annum pro rata