Job summary
We are looking to appoint a new members of our Ophthalmic Technician Team.
You would be joining a diverse multidisciplinary team of people who are passionate about providing outstanding patient care within the Ophthalmology service.
You must have a good level of general education and enjoy working in a team and with the public.
Full training will be given to ensure high levels of competence providing appropriate assessments and diagnostic tests. Following completion of training some clinics are covered independently by the technician.
A visit to the department prior to interview is strongly recommended and can be arranged by telephoning Orthoptics on 01223 216528.
*Please note we have one permanent post and one fixed term / secondment post to offer, please let us know which one would be of interest to you.
Main duties of the job
Working as part of the Technician Team providing appropriate assessments for Ophthalmic Patients. You will have an interesting and varied workload.
You will be required to work independently in some clinics.
Some off site working at VERU/ARU.
Very occasional Saturday working to cover service needs.
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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
Please note:- Internal applicants on permanent contracts can apply for this post as a secondment or fixed term contract. For secondments you must have the approval of your line manager before applying. If you are an internal applicant currently on a fixed term contract you are able to apply for this as a fixed term position.
Please be aware that the salary threshold required for a certificate of sponsorship to be granted is above the starting point of the Agenda for Change band for this role. Therefore those that are new to the NHS may not reach the minimum salary threshold required to obtain a certificate of sponsorship.
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
This vacancy will close at midnight on 31st March 2026
Interviews are due to be held on 9th April 2026
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.
Please note:- Internal applicants on permanent contracts can apply for this post as a secondment or fixed term contract. For secondments you must have the approval of your line manager before applying. If you are an internal applicant currently on a fixed term contract you are able to apply for this as a fixed term position.
Please be aware that the salary threshold required for a certificate of sponsorship to be granted is above the starting point of the Agenda for Change band for this role. Therefore those that are new to the NHS may not reach the minimum salary threshold required to obtain a certificate of sponsorship.
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
This vacancy will close at midnight on 31st March 2026
Interviews are due to be held on 9th April 2026
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
- Literacy and Numeracy (level 2) and complete values and behaviours assessment
- 4 GCSEs or equivalent including maths and English
Desirable
- NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in health-related subject
- Diploma Level 2/3 in Care/Health or other relevant qualification
- Working towards foundation degree or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Experience of customer service or patient care
Desirable
- Experience within an Ophthalmology/Optometry setting
- Proven clinical practice within an acute setting e.g. as a Health Care Assistant
- Assisting with surgical procedures or Clinical work
- Experience in working with vulnerable people
- Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team
Knowledge
Essential
- Understands the importance of respect /6Cs in the NHS
- Understands the importance of maintaining confidentiality
- Recognises the extent & limitations of own and others competence
- Use own initiative, recognising when to escalate concerns to senior staff
- Understands the importance of consistently providing individualised care based on current research and evidence
- Demonstrates awareness of the needs of area specific patient group
- Understands the anxiety and distress of some patients & relatives
- Basic knowledge of anatomy & physiology
Desirable
- Awareness of National and local priorities and initiatives
- Knowledge of general medical/ophthalmic conditions, equipment and techniques
Skills
Essential
- Well-developed verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills.
- Respects patient dignity, wishes and beliefs demonstrating behaviours that are caring and compassionate
- Ability to demonstrate empathy and caring attitude towards others. Ability to promote best practice
- Support new colleagues and assists them to meet their Performance Standards
- Work as an effective and responsible member of the multidisciplinary team Ability to identify a need for and negotiate changes in practice within the team
- Good organisational skills with the ability to prioritise a demanding workload in order to provide quality care to patient
- IT skills
Desirable
- Able to use the Trust's electronic patient record (EPIC)
- Prepared to undertake recognised mentoring /coaching role.
- 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.
- Enthusiastic and friendly
- Team worker
- Professional and well organised
- Identify and assess potential risks involved in work activities
- Take responsibility for own development
- Flexible approach to working in line with service requirements.
- Able to work Saturdays
Desirable
- Prior experience of training and inducting colleagues and assisting them to meet their Performance Standards
- Receptive to advice
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Literacy and Numeracy (level 2) and complete values and behaviours assessment
- 4 GCSEs or equivalent including maths and English
Desirable
- NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in health-related subject
- Diploma Level 2/3 in Care/Health or other relevant qualification
- Working towards foundation degree or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Experience of customer service or patient care
Desirable
- Experience within an Ophthalmology/Optometry setting
- Proven clinical practice within an acute setting e.g. as a Health Care Assistant
- Assisting with surgical procedures or Clinical work
- Experience in working with vulnerable people
- Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team
Knowledge
Essential
- Understands the importance of respect /6Cs in the NHS
- Understands the importance of maintaining confidentiality
- Recognises the extent & limitations of own and others competence
- Use own initiative, recognising when to escalate concerns to senior staff
- Understands the importance of consistently providing individualised care based on current research and evidence
- Demonstrates awareness of the needs of area specific patient group
- Understands the anxiety and distress of some patients & relatives
- Basic knowledge of anatomy & physiology
Desirable
- Awareness of National and local priorities and initiatives
- Knowledge of general medical/ophthalmic conditions, equipment and techniques
Skills
Essential
- Well-developed verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills.
- Respects patient dignity, wishes and beliefs demonstrating behaviours that are caring and compassionate
- Ability to demonstrate empathy and caring attitude towards others. Ability to promote best practice
- Support new colleagues and assists them to meet their Performance Standards
- Work as an effective and responsible member of the multidisciplinary team Ability to identify a need for and negotiate changes in practice within the team
- Good organisational skills with the ability to prioritise a demanding workload in order to provide quality care to patient
- IT skills
Desirable
- Able to use the Trust's electronic patient record (EPIC)
- Prepared to undertake recognised mentoring /coaching role.
- 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.
- Enthusiastic and friendly
- Team worker
- Professional and well organised
- Identify and assess potential risks involved in work activities
- Take responsibility for own development
- Flexible approach to working in line with service requirements.
- Able to work Saturdays
Desirable
- Prior experience of training and inducting colleagues and assisting them to meet their Performance Standards
- Receptive to advice
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).