Job summary
As an 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 technical service manager, lead ophthalmic technicians & senior ophthalmic technicians 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 smooth running of the department and provision of diagnostic services 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 visual field assessments using the Humphrey visual field analysers.
*Measure and record visual acuity using the appropriate refractive correction using a Snellen, Sheridan Gardner, Kays or LogMAR as appropriate, including measurement of contrast sensitivity.
*To take a relevant patient history and accurately record on the appropriate platform.
*Measure and record colour vision function using Ishihara pseudo isochromatic plates and the automated CAD analyser.
*Obtain refraction measurements using handheld and floor standing auto-refractors.
*To evaluate and document pupillary reactions by using the automated pupilometer.
*Accurately measure spectacle prescriptions using manual and automated focimetry. This can include the assessment of single vision lenses, bifocals or varifocals. Accurate measurement is essential for calculation of the appropriate lens to be used during visual field testing.
*Perform optic nerve head and retinal imaging using OCT on patients attending consultant and technical led clinics with a range of ocular diseases. Scan assessments will include Spectralis of the macular, optic disc and extramacular areas, autofluorescence imaging and multi-coloured imaging. The required imaging will extend as technology evolves and related scanners become available
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
- *A-Levels or NVQ3 or equivalent
- *5 GCSEs at grade C or above to include English language and mathematics
Experience
Essential
- *Knowledge of information governance, health and safety, infection control, safeguarding
Desirable
- *Experience of working in eye care
- *Experience of delivering technicianled ophthalmic services
- *Experience working with adults including adults who have significant sensory impairment or learning difficulties
- *Experience of working within the NHS
- *Technical knowledge of how to set up and operate Humphrey 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
Additional Criteria
Essential
- *Excellent hand / eye coordination, dexterity and speed when performing clinical investigations
- *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
- *Willingness to acquire and develop new skills by attending training/short courses in the field of Ophthalmology
- *Willingness to undertake self-study in the field of Ophthalmology as appropriate
- *Willingness to attend external training courses and demonstrable commitment to personal development
- *Willingness to complete on the job training in the field of Ophthalmology
- *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
- *Flexibility over sessions worked as this post may involve some Saturday and evening working
- *Cross site working will be expected
Desirable
- *Previous experience using automated perimetry in line with set competency standards
- *Ability to take OCT / OCT-A scans
- *Ability to use Optos, Kowa, Anterion
- *Ability to run a technician-led clinic
- *Experience using Medisoft/Medisight/ clinical portal
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- *A-Levels or NVQ3 or equivalent
- *5 GCSEs at grade C or above to include English language and mathematics
Experience
Essential
- *Knowledge of information governance, health and safety, infection control, safeguarding
Desirable
- *Experience of working in eye care
- *Experience of delivering technicianled ophthalmic services
- *Experience working with adults including adults who have significant sensory impairment or learning difficulties
- *Experience of working within the NHS
- *Technical knowledge of how to set up and operate Humphrey 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
Additional Criteria
Essential
- *Excellent hand / eye coordination, dexterity and speed when performing clinical investigations
- *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
- *Willingness to acquire and develop new skills by attending training/short courses in the field of Ophthalmology
- *Willingness to undertake self-study in the field of Ophthalmology as appropriate
- *Willingness to attend external training courses and demonstrable commitment to personal development
- *Willingness to complete on the job training in the field of Ophthalmology
- *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
- *Flexibility over sessions worked as this post may involve some Saturday and evening working
- *Cross site working will be expected
Desirable
- *Previous experience using automated perimetry in line with set competency standards
- *Ability to take OCT / OCT-A scans
- *Ability to use Optos, Kowa, Anterion
- *Ability to run a technician-led clinic
- *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).
