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
*Assist in the diagnosis and monitoring of neuro-ophthalmic conditions and glaucoma by performing the appropriate visual field assessment using the automated Humphrey / manual Goldmann visual field analysers.
*Measure and record visual acuity using the appropriate refractive correction using a Snellen, Sheridan Gardner, Kays or LogMAR as appropriate.
*To take a relevant patient history and accurately record on the appropriate platform.
*Obtain refraction measurements using handheld and floor standing auto-refractors.
*Accurately measure spectacle prescriptions using manual and automated focimetry.
*Perform optic nerve head and retinal imaging using OCT on patients attending consultant and technical led clinics with a range of ocular diseases.
*Work independently undertaking specialist OCT on patients attending technician led diagnostic clinics.
*Perform Optos reliably and efficiently on patients attending with a range of ocular diseases.
*Undertake optical biometry to obtain accurate optical measurements for patients due for cataract surgery.
* Undertake B scan ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) and provide technical reports on measurements made.
*Undertake immersion and ultrasound biometry to obtain accurate optical measurements for patients due for cataract surgery. Measure scleral thickness using the same equipment as requested.
*Obtain images of the anterior segment of the eye using the Anterion.
*Take measurements of intraocular pressure using ORA, iCare and GAT.
About us
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust strives to have an inclusive culture where everyone feels like they belong, can thrive, knows that they add value and feels valued. We do this by developing compassionate and culturally competent leaders, being values driven in all that we do and by creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace that thrives on the diversity of our people. As such we want to attract and recruit talented individuals from all backgrounds, and for each of you to feel supported for the diversity you bring, to achieve your full potential. For those staff with a disability, including physical disability, long term health condition, mental health or neurodiverse condition, this also means being committed to making reasonable adjustments needed for you to carry out your role.
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 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 taking into account 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 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 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 taking into account 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 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.
