Job summary
As a Senior Ophthalmic Technician, you will work within the ophthalmology department and community based diagnostic hubs to provide clinical and technical services. You will work under the direction of the ophthalmic science manager and ophthalmic science practitioners to assist in the diagnosis, treatment and care of new and follow-up patients. Make safe and effective use of a range of highly complex expensive diagnostic instruments, adhering to defined protocols and guidelines. Report diagnostic test results to ophthalmologists and professional staff. Adapt tests to match clinical observations and the age, cognitive and physical ability of patients. Accommodate flexible and variable clinical schedules, potentially ranging between four hospital sites and community-based settings, including evening and weekend hours. Contribute to planning personal work schedules, recommending adjustments to match patient priority and case mix. Recommend improvements and changes to departmental policies, guidelines and protocols at departmental meetings. Maintain personal knowledge and skills undertaking training and development as required.
Main duties of the job
Perform Humphrey/Goldmann visual field tests
Calibrate Goldmann field analyser and Anterion
Perform visual acuity using Snellen/Sheridan Gardner/Kays/LogMAR, including contrast sensitivity
Take patient history
Perform colour vision using Ishihara and automated CAD analyser
Refraction measurements using handheld and floor standing auto-refractors
Train and assess the capability of patients to insert, remove and care for contact lenses
Evaluate and document pupillary reactions using automated pupillometer
Accurately measure spectacle prescriptions with manual/automated focimeters
Perform optic nerve head and retinal imaging using OCT. Including Spectralis/Flex OCTs of the macular/optic disc/extramacular areas, autofluorescence imaging & multi-coloured imaging
Independent work undertaking OCT on patients attending technician led clinics. Interpret results and identify findings consistent with specific clinical diagnoses-escalate when required
Perform Optos including Red/Green, Auto-fluorescence, Fluorescein Angiography & Indocyanine Green Angiography
Perform CCT measurements using pachymeter
Undertake optical biometry
Obtain images using Anterion
Perform intraocular pressure using ORA, iCare and GAT
Perform corneal topography using Pentacam
Use the specular microscope in corneal clinics
Undertake Aseptic Non-Touch Technique (ANTT) where appropriate or required
Liaise with all members of the ophthalmology department to establish and maintain a high-quality service
Undertake administrative tasks
About us
We are recognised as one of the leading NHS Foundation Trusts in the UK. Our vision is to Build Healthier Lives, and we recognise that we need incredible staff to do this.
Our commitment to our staff is to create the best place for them to work, and we are dedicated to:
Investing in the health and wellbeing of our staff, including a commitment of offering flexible working where we can;Offer our staff a wide variety of training and development opportunities, to support their personal and career development objectives.
UHB is committed to ensuring that our staff are treated fairly and feel that they belong, by creating a kind and inclusive environment. This is about equity of opportunity; removing all barriers, including discrimination and ensuring each individual member of staff reach their true potential, achieve their ambitions and thrive in their work. This is more than words. We are taking action. Our commitment to an inclusive culture is embedded at all levels of the organisation where every voice is heard, driven by our diverse and active staff networks, and at Board level by the Fairness Taskforce led by our CEO. We nurture a culture which empowers staff to challenge discriminatory behaviours and to enable people to bring their 'whole self' to a kinder, more connected and bold place to work.
University Hospitals Birmingham is a Smoke-Free premises hospital.
Job description
Job responsibilities
*Please Note : For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached Job Description*
Job description
Job responsibilities
*Please Note : For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached Job Description*
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- * BSc in biological or physiological science or equivalent experience in relevant field or Level 4/Level 5 in Ophthalmic and Vision Science
- * 5 GCSEs at grade C or above to include English language and mathematics
Experience
Essential
- * Experience of working in eye care
- * Clinical experience working with adults including adults who have significant sensory impairment or learning difficulties
- * Experience of delivering technician-led ophthalmic services
- * Experience contributing to departmental audits
- * Documentary evidence of CPD to demonstrate knowledge of up-to-date technical / clinical advancements and methods
- * Technical knowledge of how to set up and operate Humphrey and Goldmann Analysers and how to modify testing to ensure accuracy of the results obtained
- * Knowledge of refractive errors and how they are corrected with spectacles
- * Technical knowledge of how to operate manual and automated lens analyser to assess single vision, bifocal and varifocal lenses
- * Knowledge of how to select the most appropriate method for assessing visual acuity considering the ability and understanding of individual patients
- * Knowledge of information governance, health and safety, infection control, safeguarding
Additional Criteria
Essential
- * Previous experience using Humphrey and Goldmann visual field analysers in line with set competency standards
- * Ability to take OCT / OCT-A scans
- * Ability to use Optos
- * Excellent hand / eye coordination, dexterity and speed when performing clinical investigations
- * Ability to run a technician-led clinic
- * Innovative approach to work and must be able to respond quickly to changes in working practice
- * Sound problem solving skills
- * Ability to follow protocols accurately and to work under sustained pressure whilst maintaining high levels of concentration
- * Ability to write clearly and interpret instructions
- * Ability to keep and maintain detailed patient records at all times
- * Ability to maintain and utilise department and Trust information systems and ensure the accuracy of the information held
- * Experience using Microsoft office
- * Effective interpersonal skills with the ability to develop and evolve professional relationships with staff at all levels
- * Excellent communication skills (verbal and non-verbal) and ability to overcome barriers to communication that may relate to language / hearing / vision / age / intelligence
- * Ability to demonstrate well developed communication and persuasion skills needed to work with patients with long-term conditions that may require a lifetime of regular hospital attendance and treatment
- * Must be able to identify own limitations in theoretical and practical skills and thus when to seek the advice of a senior colleague
- * Self- motivated with strong commitment to high standard of patient care
- * Methodical, well organised and efficient
- * Effective time manager and able to prioritise own workload
- * Must demonstrate a pleasant, helpful disposition at all times and be able to make decisions and resolve problems
- * Ability to manage challenging complex cases where patients are distressed
- * Ability to work successfully as part of a multi-disciplinary team
- * Willingness to acquire and develop new skills
- * Willingness to undertake self-study as appropriate
- * Willingness to attend external training courses and demonstrable commitment to personal development
- * Flexibility over sessions worked as this post may involve some Saturday and evening working
- * Cross site working will be expected
Desirable
- * Ability to perform Ultrasound immersion biometry and Ultrasound Biomicroscopy (UBM)
- * Ability to use Kowa and Anterion
- * Ability to perform Goldmann Applanation Tonometry (GAT)
- * Experience using Medisoft/Medisight/ Clinical Portal
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- * BSc in biological or physiological science or equivalent experience in relevant field or Level 4/Level 5 in Ophthalmic and Vision Science
- * 5 GCSEs at grade C or above to include English language and mathematics
Experience
Essential
- * Experience of working in eye care
- * Clinical experience working with adults including adults who have significant sensory impairment or learning difficulties
- * Experience of delivering technician-led ophthalmic services
- * Experience contributing to departmental audits
- * Documentary evidence of CPD to demonstrate knowledge of up-to-date technical / clinical advancements and methods
- * Technical knowledge of how to set up and operate Humphrey and Goldmann Analysers and how to modify testing to ensure accuracy of the results obtained
- * Knowledge of refractive errors and how they are corrected with spectacles
- * Technical knowledge of how to operate manual and automated lens analyser to assess single vision, bifocal and varifocal lenses
- * Knowledge of how to select the most appropriate method for assessing visual acuity considering the ability and understanding of individual patients
- * Knowledge of information governance, health and safety, infection control, safeguarding
Additional Criteria
Essential
- * Previous experience using Humphrey and Goldmann visual field analysers in line with set competency standards
- * Ability to take OCT / OCT-A scans
- * Ability to use Optos
- * Excellent hand / eye coordination, dexterity and speed when performing clinical investigations
- * Ability to run a technician-led clinic
- * Innovative approach to work and must be able to respond quickly to changes in working practice
- * Sound problem solving skills
- * Ability to follow protocols accurately and to work under sustained pressure whilst maintaining high levels of concentration
- * Ability to write clearly and interpret instructions
- * Ability to keep and maintain detailed patient records at all times
- * Ability to maintain and utilise department and Trust information systems and ensure the accuracy of the information held
- * Experience using Microsoft office
- * Effective interpersonal skills with the ability to develop and evolve professional relationships with staff at all levels
- * Excellent communication skills (verbal and non-verbal) and ability to overcome barriers to communication that may relate to language / hearing / vision / age / intelligence
- * Ability to demonstrate well developed communication and persuasion skills needed to work with patients with long-term conditions that may require a lifetime of regular hospital attendance and treatment
- * Must be able to identify own limitations in theoretical and practical skills and thus when to seek the advice of a senior colleague
- * Self- motivated with strong commitment to high standard of patient care
- * Methodical, well organised and efficient
- * Effective time manager and able to prioritise own workload
- * Must demonstrate a pleasant, helpful disposition at all times and be able to make decisions and resolve problems
- * Ability to manage challenging complex cases where patients are distressed
- * Ability to work successfully as part of a multi-disciplinary team
- * Willingness to acquire and develop new skills
- * Willingness to undertake self-study as appropriate
- * Willingness to attend external training courses and demonstrable commitment to personal development
- * Flexibility over sessions worked as this post may involve some Saturday and evening working
- * Cross site working will be expected
Desirable
- * Ability to perform Ultrasound immersion biometry and Ultrasound Biomicroscopy (UBM)
- * Ability to use Kowa and Anterion
- * Ability to perform Goldmann Applanation Tonometry (GAT)
- * Experience using Medisoft/Medisight/ Clinical Portal
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
