Ophthalmic Healthcare Support Worker
Job overview
The Ophthalmology Department are recruiting a Band 3 Ophthalmic Healthcare Support Worker here at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust.
You will be working together as part of a multidisciplinary, professional team to assist the registered nurses and senior clinical staff in the planning, delivery and evaluation of care; by assisting the nursing staff to improve and maintain high standards of care, health and well-being of patients through assessment, treatment and rehabilitation, within the unit under indirect supervision.
Our staff are committed to providing high standards of individualized care for the people who use our services, whilst maintaining their privacy and dignity at all times. The post holder will provide an efficient specialised support service to patients allocated for diagnostic testing and assessment.
Main duties of the job
Ophthalmology is a branch of medicine dealing with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases of the eye and visual system. The eye, its surrounding structures and the visual system can be affected by a number of clinical conditions.Eye health services are becoming more and more important as the UK population ages.
An ageing population means there are more and more incidences of age-related diseases of the eye, such as age-related macular degeneration. These eye diseases can be successfully treated if caught early, and can be managed effectively with existing treatments and medicines.
As a Ophthalmic Technician, you will need to have worked in the ophthalmic unit for a period of twelve months and achieved the competencies expected. As the Ophthalmic Healthcare Support Worker, you will undertake ophthalmic assessment including visual acuity assessments, iCare ocular pressure measurements, ophthalmic diagnostics, Schirmer’s Test, (when competency pack completed) as required.
You will work alongside qualified professionals and participate in the delivery of planned care. Much of this role requires use of VDU equipment, Ophthalmic diagnostics, with frequent long periods of sitting or standing. Frequent use of a range of web-based systems such as Medisight and other IT software.
Working for our organisation
Having a career that is personally rewarding is great. Joining Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust can provide you with a job that provides personal fulfilment, job security and flexibility. The successful candidate will be joining a dynamic, multidiscipline team working together to achieve the best outcome for our patients.This role presents the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others by providing care in their time of need.
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Detailed job description and main responsibilities
As an ophthalmic healthcare support worker you will exercise an agreed degree of professional autonomy to make judgements and decisions in order to satisfy the expectations and demands of the role. You will develop an understanding and knowledge of the the anatomy and physiology of the eye to perform ophthalmic diagnostic tests tests on patients presenting with a variety of ophthalmic conditions.
You will prioritise own tasks under the direction of appropriate professional. Having an awareness of Ophthalmology care recognising and reporting all adverse findings to the appropriate professional.
As a ophthalmic Healthcare Support Worker you will be supporting the ophthalmic service as well as being expected to work in peripheral clinics and or theatre environments independently with clinicians.
Further vacancy details can be found on the Job Description.
Unfortunately, this post is not eligible for sponsorship.
Person specification
Qualifications and Experience
Essential criteria- Recent experience gained in the care sector
- NVQ 2 in healthcare
- Hospital Experience
- Knowledge of the anatomy of the eye
- NVQ3
- Ophthalmic experience
- An understanding of ophthalmic conditions.
Knowledge and experience
Essential criteria- To be able to demonstrate a level of literacy and numeracy skills
- Basic IT skills
- Previous knowledge of hospital computer systems
Specific skills
Essential criteria- Able to work long days and fulfil out of hours on call service
You will be joining the organisation at an exciting time. As the first fully integrated care organisation in England, we are working to improve the way we deliver safe, high-quality health and social care. We have a positive and vibrant working atmosphere, we are proud of our investment in our staff both in terms of developing potential career skills and valuing people.
If you provide support to a family member or friend with health or care needs, we aim to be a Carer-friendly employer. We have a ‘Staff Carers’ policy which includes flexible working where possible and a Carer’s Passport scheme that links you into support and discounts.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION- We reserve the right to close vacancies early if we receive a high volume of applications. Please apply promptly
- Please read the job description and tailor your application to reflect the role
- Correspondence will be via Trac, text and email. Please check your email and Trac account regularly.
- Applicants with no previous NHS experience will ordinarily be appointed to the minimum of the band
- If you have not received an invitation to interview within 28 days of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion
- It is your responsibility to assist us in the timely receipt of appropriate references
If you require support you can obtain this from our Equality Business Forum which has representatives from all protected groups.