Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Ophthalmic Technician

The closing date is 03 October 2025

Job summary

To deliver an ophthalmic diagnostic service, for children and adults, within the department of Ophthalmology. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide appropriate assessment (and interpretation of results where indicated) for ophthalmology patients.

Manage own caseload of patients prioritising when necessary and accepting urgent referrals as appropriate. To ensure that patients are received in a sympathetic and courteous manner and that cultural difference is catered for. To undertake associated clerical and administrative duties necessary to ensure the effective running of the Ophthalmology Service.

Some sessions will be required at the community clinics at Anglia Ruskin University and Saffron Walden Hospital.

Main duties of the job

Key duties and responsibilities:

Patient Care

Carry out Ophthalmic Diagnostic tests accurately and record results as required.

Vision assessments using appropriate tests, including colour vision.

Visual Field Perimetry, (Humphrey field analyser, Octopus perimeter)

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)

Auto-refraction.

Focimetry.

Show an interest in the anatomy and physiology of the eye. Have an understanding of common ophthalmic conditions.

Demonstrate effective communication skills to ensure adequate patient understanding and compliance of the test.

Have good communication skills and understanding of needs to be overcome e.g. hearing loss or impaired cognitive ability.

Some patients have disabilities and/or visual impairment and many are elderly.

To conduct all assessments ensuring accurate testing and identification of unreliability and artefacts. To have an understanding of how these tests are interpreted.

To measure the patients' spectacle correction using a focimeter and use this information to select the correct lenses required for accurate testing.

About us

Our Trust

Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people - patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing 'outstanding' care to our patients and rated 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH's values - Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent - are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.

CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people's age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.

Details

Date posted

03 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year p.a. pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

180-D-254138-RE

Job locations

Addenbrookes Hospital-Division D

Hills Road

Cambridge

CB2 0QQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:- applied for a Graduate visa- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment- or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date of employment

For NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough based roles, all applicants from NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough who have identified that they are at risk of redundancy will be prioritised over those not at risk. However, interviews cannot be guaranteed.This vacancy will close at midnight on 9th October 2025

Interviews are due to be held week commencing 23nd October 2025

Benefits to you

At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.

On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.

CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.

Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.

We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:- applied for a Graduate visa- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment- or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date of employment

For NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough based roles, all applicants from NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough who have identified that they are at risk of redundancy will be prioritised over those not at risk. However, interviews cannot be guaranteed.This vacancy will close at midnight on 9th October 2025

Interviews are due to be held week commencing 23nd October 2025

Benefits to you

At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.

On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.

CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.

Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.

We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • 1.Literacy and Numeracy (level 2) and complete values and behaviours assessment
  • 2.4 GCSEs or equivalent including maths and English

Desirable

  • 1.NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in health related subject
  • 2. Diploma Level 2/3 in Care/Health or other relevant qualification
  • 3.Working towards foundation degree or equivalent

Experience

Essential

  • 1.Experience of customer service or patient care

Desirable

  • 1.Experience within an Ophthalmology/Optometry setting
  • 2.Proven clinical practice within an acute setting e.g. as a Health Care Assistant
  • 3.Assisting with surgical procedures or Clinical work
  • 4.Experience in working with vulnerable people
  • 5.Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team

Knowledge

Essential

  • 1.Understands the importance of respect /6Cs in the NHS
  • 2.Understands the importance of maintaining confidentiality
  • 3.Recognises the extent & limitations of own and others competence
  • 4.Use own initiative, recognising when to escalate concerns to senior staff
  • 5.Understands the importance of consistently providing individualised care based on current research and evidence
  • 6.Demonstrates awareness of the needs of area specific patient group
  • 7.Understands the anxiety and distress of some patients & relatives
  • 8.Basic knowledge of anatomy & physiology.

Desirable

  • 1.Awareness of National and local priorities and initiatives.
  • 2.Knowledge of general medical/ophthalmic conditions, equipment and techniques

Skills

Essential

  • 1.Well-developed verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills.
  • 2.Respects patient dignity, wishes and beliefs demonstrating behaviours that are caring and compassionate
  • 3.Ability to demonstrate empathy and caring attitude towards others.
  • 4.Ability to promote best practice
  • 5.Support new colleagues and assists them to meet their Performance Standards
  • 6.Work as an effective and responsible member of the multidisciplinary team
  • 7.Ability to identify a need for and negotiate changes in practice within the team
  • 8.Good organisational skills with the ability to prioritise a demanding workload in order to provide quality care to patient
  • 9.IT skills

Desirable

  • 1.Able to use the Trust's electronic patient record (EPIC)
  • 2.Prepared to undertake recognised mentoring /coaching role.
  • 3.Reflective practitioner

Additional Requirements

Essential

  • The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent.

Desirable

  • 1.Prior experience of training and inducting colleagues and assisting them to meet their Performance Standards
  • 2.Receptive to advice
  • 3.Driving license and access to a car
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • 1.Literacy and Numeracy (level 2) and complete values and behaviours assessment
  • 2.4 GCSEs or equivalent including maths and English

Desirable

  • 1.NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in health related subject
  • 2. Diploma Level 2/3 in Care/Health or other relevant qualification
  • 3.Working towards foundation degree or equivalent

Experience

Essential

  • 1.Experience of customer service or patient care

Desirable

  • 1.Experience within an Ophthalmology/Optometry setting
  • 2.Proven clinical practice within an acute setting e.g. as a Health Care Assistant
  • 3.Assisting with surgical procedures or Clinical work
  • 4.Experience in working with vulnerable people
  • 5.Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team

Knowledge

Essential

  • 1.Understands the importance of respect /6Cs in the NHS
  • 2.Understands the importance of maintaining confidentiality
  • 3.Recognises the extent & limitations of own and others competence
  • 4.Use own initiative, recognising when to escalate concerns to senior staff
  • 5.Understands the importance of consistently providing individualised care based on current research and evidence
  • 6.Demonstrates awareness of the needs of area specific patient group
  • 7.Understands the anxiety and distress of some patients & relatives
  • 8.Basic knowledge of anatomy & physiology.

Desirable

  • 1.Awareness of National and local priorities and initiatives.
  • 2.Knowledge of general medical/ophthalmic conditions, equipment and techniques

Skills

Essential

  • 1.Well-developed verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills.
  • 2.Respects patient dignity, wishes and beliefs demonstrating behaviours that are caring and compassionate
  • 3.Ability to demonstrate empathy and caring attitude towards others.
  • 4.Ability to promote best practice
  • 5.Support new colleagues and assists them to meet their Performance Standards
  • 6.Work as an effective and responsible member of the multidisciplinary team
  • 7.Ability to identify a need for and negotiate changes in practice within the team
  • 8.Good organisational skills with the ability to prioritise a demanding workload in order to provide quality care to patient
  • 9.IT skills

Desirable

  • 1.Able to use the Trust's electronic patient record (EPIC)
  • 2.Prepared to undertake recognised mentoring /coaching role.
  • 3.Reflective practitioner

Additional Requirements

Essential

  • The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent.

Desirable

  • 1.Prior experience of training and inducting colleagues and assisting them to meet their Performance Standards
  • 2.Receptive to advice
  • 3.Driving license and access to a car

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Addenbrookes Hospital-Division D

Hills Road

Cambridge

CB2 0QQ


Employer's website

https://www.cuh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Addenbrookes Hospital-Division D

Hills Road

Cambridge

CB2 0QQ


Employer's website

https://www.cuh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Ophthalmic Technician Coordinator

Helen Newman

helen.newman16@nhs.net

01223216855

Details

Date posted

03 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year p.a. pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

180-D-254138-RE

Job locations

Addenbrookes Hospital-Division D

Hills Road

Cambridge

CB2 0QQ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)