University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust

Senior Ophthalmic Technician

The closing date is 27 June 2025

Job summary

The Post holder, after the necessary training and induction, will be an integral member of the ophthalmic service, ensuring the effective and efficient maintenance of a comprehensive patient pathway. They should have the ability to work independently as well as working closely with other members of the team.

Provide an effective technical service in the Ophthalmology Department.

To perform visual fields tests and imaging on patients including the elderly and children.

Participate in Diabetic eye disease service by performing imaging including OCT scans.

Provide an ophthalmic photography service including fluorescein angiography service.

Perform biometry.

Main duties of the job

Demonstrate a range of high level technical skills in the Ophthalmology department and outreach clinics on patients.

Providing advice and instruction for patients from different backgrounds and age groups.

Measurement of visual acuity using logMAR, Snellen and other acuity tests using an auto-refractor and pinhole for best corrected vision.

Determine optical prescription in spectacles using manual and automated focimetry.

Structural measurement of the eye using an IOL master.

Visual fields tests

Perform routine retinal and corneal imaging using the appropriate diagnosis protocols (HRT, OCT, GDX, Disc and anterior segment photography and retinal and anterior segment OCT)

Pascal Dynamic Contour Tonometer DCT, ICare and non Contact Tonometry using a high level of skill and knowledge to avoid damage to the eye. To have an understanding of the test and when to measure again.

To perform biometry.

To carry out visual acuity testing and administer prescribed eye drops to patients in accordance with trust policy and national guidelines. (Being aware of contra-indications and side effects).

To take clear accurate fundus photographs and OCT scans of the macula and to demonstrate knowledge of diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and glaucoma.

To be responsible for the quality of test results.

About us

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust is one of the largest and most modern in the country. Based across two sites, Royal Stoke in Stoke-on-Trent and County Hospital in Stafford, we are proud to serve around three million people and we're highly regarded for our facilities, teaching and research. We are the specialist centre for major trauma for the North Midlands and North Wales.

All of our employees make a valuable contribution regardless of role here at UHNM and we are proud of our wide range of development packages aimed at ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their true potential.

UHNM create and encourage a culture of inclusion, providing equal opportunities for career development that are fair and transparent. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture in which all staff feel valued and respected. In return we ask all of our employees to make a commitment to the values, co-created by or staff, patients and carers, and that unite us as a Trust.

At University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust we know that investing in, supporting and developing our staff has a direct impact on the quality of care that we deliver. Our employees are as important as our patients and the population that we serve.

Details

Date posted

13 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£26,530 to £29,114 a year per anum/pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

205-7246856

Job locations

UHNM and County Hospital

Royal stoke university hospital

STOKE on TRENT

ST46QG


Job description

Job responsibilities

The Post holder, after the necessary training and induction, will be an integral member of the ophthalmic service, ensuring the effective and efficient maintenance of a comprehensive patient pathway. They should have the ability to work independently as well as working closely with other members of the team.

Provide an effective technical service in the Ophthalmology Department.

To perform visual fields tests and imaging on patients including the elderly and children.

Participate in Diabetic eye disease service by performing imaging including OCT scans.

Provide an ophthalmic photography service including fluorescein angiography service.

Perform biometry.

Knowledge, Training and Experience

Knowledge and training to work at equivalent of NVQ/SVQ Level III demonstrated by appropriate qualifications or equivalent experience.

Knowledge and experience of Hospital policies and procedures.

Standard keyboard skills required for utilisation for use of necessary equipment and IPM/EPR system.

To undertake in house training, including basic anatomy, physiology of the eye and achieve set departmental competencies.

To undertake appropriate external training as deemed appropriate.

Have adequate knowledge to facilitate understanding of visual fields, OCT scan and ophthalmic photography and have an understanding of the basic principles of glaucoma, diabetes and macular degeneration and its treatment.

Required to maintain and keep current the skill set required for the post.

Physical Effort

Will be required to manoeuvre equipment towards every patient in confined spaces.

Will be required to manoeuvre s patient from a wheelchair to a chair.

Will be required to manoeuvre furniture to make access for wheelchairs.

Will be required to demonstrate a visual field, visual field acuity test and imaging in a darkened area using a VDU and specialist equipment.

Ability to work where there is a requirement to concentrate for prolonged periods of time.

Have the ability to be flexible.

Professional and Personal Responsibilities

Competent in the use of MEH PAS, e-patient and computer programmes required for specialist technical equipment.

Be responsible for maintaining your own professional development developing and sustaining your knowledge, clinical skills and professional awareness.

Be familiar with national, professional and local quality issues relevant to the delivery of the technical services, e.g. NHS PLAN. Making a Difference, Agenda for Change, Shared vision, Modernisation agenda etc.

Uphold quality initiatives that improve customer care and enhance the interface between staff, patients and visitors.

To be involved in the handling and resolution of complaints within your span of control in accordance with MEH policy, referring to the clinical lead or directorate manager when necessary/appropriate.

To ensure effective communication between staff, patients and visitors.

To keep the clinical lead /directorate manager informed of relevant issues pertaining to the running of the department.

To organise and monitor own workload.

To ensure patient information is accurate and updates.

To observe working practices and make recommendations for improvement where appropriate.

To work closely with clinicians and their teams, Clinical nurse specialists, Orthoptist, Optometrist and administrators.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Post holder, after the necessary training and induction, will be an integral member of the ophthalmic service, ensuring the effective and efficient maintenance of a comprehensive patient pathway. They should have the ability to work independently as well as working closely with other members of the team.

Provide an effective technical service in the Ophthalmology Department.

To perform visual fields tests and imaging on patients including the elderly and children.

Participate in Diabetic eye disease service by performing imaging including OCT scans.

Provide an ophthalmic photography service including fluorescein angiography service.

Perform biometry.

Knowledge, Training and Experience

Knowledge and training to work at equivalent of NVQ/SVQ Level III demonstrated by appropriate qualifications or equivalent experience.

Knowledge and experience of Hospital policies and procedures.

Standard keyboard skills required for utilisation for use of necessary equipment and IPM/EPR system.

To undertake in house training, including basic anatomy, physiology of the eye and achieve set departmental competencies.

To undertake appropriate external training as deemed appropriate.

Have adequate knowledge to facilitate understanding of visual fields, OCT scan and ophthalmic photography and have an understanding of the basic principles of glaucoma, diabetes and macular degeneration and its treatment.

Required to maintain and keep current the skill set required for the post.

Physical Effort

Will be required to manoeuvre equipment towards every patient in confined spaces.

Will be required to manoeuvre s patient from a wheelchair to a chair.

Will be required to manoeuvre furniture to make access for wheelchairs.

Will be required to demonstrate a visual field, visual field acuity test and imaging in a darkened area using a VDU and specialist equipment.

Ability to work where there is a requirement to concentrate for prolonged periods of time.

Have the ability to be flexible.

Professional and Personal Responsibilities

Competent in the use of MEH PAS, e-patient and computer programmes required for specialist technical equipment.

Be responsible for maintaining your own professional development developing and sustaining your knowledge, clinical skills and professional awareness.

Be familiar with national, professional and local quality issues relevant to the delivery of the technical services, e.g. NHS PLAN. Making a Difference, Agenda for Change, Shared vision, Modernisation agenda etc.

Uphold quality initiatives that improve customer care and enhance the interface between staff, patients and visitors.

To be involved in the handling and resolution of complaints within your span of control in accordance with MEH policy, referring to the clinical lead or directorate manager when necessary/appropriate.

To ensure effective communication between staff, patients and visitors.

To keep the clinical lead /directorate manager informed of relevant issues pertaining to the running of the department.

To organise and monitor own workload.

To ensure patient information is accurate and updates.

To observe working practices and make recommendations for improvement where appropriate.

To work closely with clinicians and their teams, Clinical nurse specialists, Orthoptist, Optometrist and administrators.

Person Specification

Knowledge

Essential

  • Good data monitoring skills. Experience and understanding of digital imaging equipment and images. Computer skills.
  • Good standard of general education (GCSE or equivalent, grades A-C including English, Maths, Science and A Level Appropriate NVQ Level 3

Desirable

  • BSc Hons or equivalent
  • Ophthalmology/eye research background.

aptitude and skills

Essential

  • Excellent interpersonal skills. Good communication skills. Adaptable. Ability to work under pressure. Good analytical skills. Can organise own workload

Desirable

  • Shows aptitude for managing staff

Experience

Essential

  • Working within a team and dealing with the public. Previous Ophthalmic experience. Experience working with photographic equipment, computers, data handling. Interpretation of results, technical/scientific experiences. Good IT skills and experience in using software packages.

Desirable

  • Previous work in hospital setting
Person Specification

Knowledge

Essential

  • Good data monitoring skills. Experience and understanding of digital imaging equipment and images. Computer skills.
  • Good standard of general education (GCSE or equivalent, grades A-C including English, Maths, Science and A Level Appropriate NVQ Level 3

Desirable

  • BSc Hons or equivalent
  • Ophthalmology/eye research background.

aptitude and skills

Essential

  • Excellent interpersonal skills. Good communication skills. Adaptable. Ability to work under pressure. Good analytical skills. Can organise own workload

Desirable

  • Shows aptitude for managing staff

Experience

Essential

  • Working within a team and dealing with the public. Previous Ophthalmic experience. Experience working with photographic equipment, computers, data handling. Interpretation of results, technical/scientific experiences. Good IT skills and experience in using software packages.

Desirable

  • Previous work in hospital setting

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

University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust

Address

UHNM and County Hospital

Royal stoke university hospital

STOKE on TRENT

ST46QG


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust

Address

UHNM and County Hospital

Royal stoke university hospital

STOKE on TRENT

ST46QG


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Senior Sister

Hollie Leyland

hollie.leyland@uhnnm.nhs.uk

01782674112

Details

Date posted

13 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£26,530 to £29,114 a year per anum/pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

205-7246856

Job locations

UHNM and County Hospital

Royal stoke university hospital

STOKE on TRENT

ST46QG


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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