Ophthalmic Technician - A&E
Moorfields - A global leader in Ophthalmology
We are Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Founded in 1804, Moorfields Eye Hospital is a world-class centre of excellence for eye health services, ophthalmic research, and education.
With more than 2,300 staff we are proud to be supported by one of the most diverse workforces in the NHS. Every year we treat more than 700,000 patients at City Road in central London and at our 22 satellites sites, and, in partnership with the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre we lead one of the most impactful ophthalmic research programmes in the world.
We train many of the leading eye care clinicians in the UK and internationally and have a global reputation for quality and professionalism in ophthalmic care. In addition, we also operate commercial divisions that provide care to private patients in both London and the Middle East.
This is an exciting time to join Moorfields. The pandemic fast-tracked a huge amount of innovation which is changing the way we work and deliver care. Construction is under way on Oriel, our new eye care, research, and education centre being built in Camden.The new centre will be flexible and modern, enabling us to bring together healthcare, eye research and education under one roof for the first time.
If you want to be part delivering world class eye health services and you share our values: excellence, equity, and kindness, then we would love to hear from you!
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Trust as a band 3 ophthalmic technician in the Accident and Emergency and Urgent Care centre. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to use their initiative, interpersonal and technical skills to support all members of the allied healthcare team once training has been completed.
You will need to have a caring and compassionate nature, display excellent communication skills, as well as be able to work independently and safely by following standard operating procedures and Trust policies.
You must possess good command of the English language at GCE/GCSE level. You are required to work every Saturday plus three long weekdays averaging 10 hours per shift. The successful candidate will be required to be flexible in terms of longer working hours as and if required, be enthusiastic and committed to providing the highest level of ophthalmic care to our patients.
You will be required to support clinical teams from other services on a regular basis when there are no clinical activities from the service where you are based. Hence the post holders will be required to carry out investigatory procedures for both patients with cataract and other eye diseases after training.
We expect applicants to have previous experience as an Ophthalmic Technician or BTEC/A Levels (Scientific background). An experienced mentor is available within the department and there are opportunities for continuing professional development.
Main duties of the job
The post holder, after the necessary induction and completion of training / education, works as an integral member of the A&E team under the supervision and collaboration of Registered Nurses and will:
Work collaboratively in the assessment of health needs and the delivery of patient centred fundamental care, always maintaining a compassionate and professional attitude, promoting dignity, respect, human rights of patients and clients and confidentiality both inside and outside the hospital environment.
Contribute to the A&E department organisation. Ensure that the clinical areas are prepared for use at the start of each shift and reviewed at regular intervals throughout the day e.g., ensuring that clinical areas are clean and tidy, all the necessary equipment such as clinical documents and consumables are stocked up adhering to all health and safety and infection control policies.
Support the multi-disciplinary team in the provision of a safe environment, ensuring that patients receive care in a timely manner during their visit to Moorfields Accident and Emergency Department. Ensure that patients are fully informed of any delays and what is being done to address or rectify delays in treatments or clinical tests.
Working for our organisation
At Moorfields, we provide more than just an excellent career and great colleagues to work with.
We also offer:
- Salary including High-Cost Area Supplement
- Opportunity to join the NHS Pension Scheme
- Free 24/7 independent counselling service
- Learning and development opportunities
- Easy and quick transport links
- A range of attractive benefits and discounts
- Access to Blue Light Card and other NHS Discount Schemes
- Free Pilates classes
- Full support and training to develop your skills
- Flexible working friendly organisation
And so much more! To see the full range of benefits we offer please see our Moorfields benefits document.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Demonstrate competence in a range of high-level technical skills in A&E and provide support to the clinical team in the delivery of care. Act as a resource person for novice users.
Provide advice and instruction for patients from different backgrounds and age groups. Obtain verbal consent from the patients before any clinical intervention is undertaken; where this is not given, reports this to a registered nurse.
Measure and record visual acuity using Complog, Snellen, logmar and other visual acuity tests. Use an Auto-Refractor, Pinhole or the patient’s distance refractive correction if required for best corrected Visual Acuity Test.
Provide clinical support for patients who have visual impairment, hearing loss, physical or mental disabilities, learning difficulties as required including risk assessments. Be aware of different age groups cultural differences and non-English speaking patients.
Floor walking to identify potential problems before they occur, rectify if possible, or alert patients to them as potential causes for delay. Identify and ensure that priority patients are seen in a timely manner. Communicate with nurse in charge, (Coordinator), other technicians regarding patient flow.When required, escort patients from A&E to clinics so staff can carry on testing and patients do not get lost.
Assist clinical staff / patients and act as a chaperone when required. Escort patients to toilet and hygiene facilities, providing support and assistance and care where required.
Respond appropriately following departmental guidance to emergency situations or sudden unexpected events. (Have basic knowledge of hypoglycaemic episodes, collapse or injury).
Measure patient’s vital signs, calculate NEWS score and know when to escalate to a senior member of the team.
Person specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential criteria- NVQ level 3 in healthcare, similar standard of education / training with equivalent experience or working- towards, following appointme
- Good standard of general education (GCSE or Equivalent, grades A-C including English, Mathematics and Science
Experience
Essential criteria- Working as part of a team
- Communicating with members of the public (face to face and on phone)
- Technical/scientific experience
- Working within NHS / in a health care setting
- Previous Ophthalmic experience.
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria- Competent in skills set out in appendix 2, within 6 months of joining the Trust
- Promotes good patient experience
- Ability to reassure and support patients through their pathway
- Works with photography equipment.
Due to the nature of this position, employment is subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK, completion of a satisfactory DBS disclosure and two references. We do not offer visa sponsorship for roles unless clearly stated in our adverts, so please consider this before applying.
Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion is at the heart of our organisational culture. As part of our pledge to take positive action in recruitment we encourage applications from under-represented candidates including BAME (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic) and Disabled candidates as we work towards a representative workforce that is able to provide the quality, the dignity and respect and to deliver above and beyond.
Moorfields is a flexible working friendly organisation, and we are committed to helping our employees achieve a work-life balance that is beneficial for health and wellbeing, motivation levels and job satisfaction. Every employee of the Trust has the right to request to work flexibly.Please speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
If we receive sufficient applications, we will close this ad prior to the closing date. You are advised not to delay submitting your completed application.
If you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments before applying or would like an accessible version of any recruitment documents, please contact the recruitment team at [email protected].
https://www.moorfields.nhs.uk/work-for-us