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University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Healthcare Assistant - Ophthalmic

The closing date is 04 August 2025

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Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity to work within the ophthalmic team.

The role involves learning many diagnostics and different pathways as well as surgical techniques.

All training is provided.

Main duties of the job

To assist the ophthalmic doctors and nurses with the running of the general outpatients and sub-specialty outpatients' clinics.
To set up the main ophthalmic outpatient department clinics on a daily basis.
To accurately record visual acuities on all ophthalmic patients and document the results; carry out auto-refraction on patients; to work in sub-specialty visual field-testing clinics; to undertake instillation of eye drops and handheld tonometry under supervision of a staff nurse and following pgd policy; to record patients' blood pressure, pulse, temperature, blood glucose testing and urinalysis.
To answer the telephone to gps, opticians and patients, communicating with and informing staff nurses and ophthalmic doctors.
To follow the procedure for faxes coming into the department to allow comprehensive patient care.
The post holder will be accountable primarily to the department sister and in his/her absence the senior staff nurse on duty.

About us

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/

Date posted

21 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,465 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

279-7347243-JUL25

Job locations

St. Richard's Hospital

Spitalfield Lane

Chichester

PO19 6SE

Job description

Job responsibilities

To set up the main ophthalmic outpatient department clinics daily
To accurately record visual acuities on all ophthalmic patients and document the results; carry out auto-refraction on patients; to work in sub-speciality visual field-testing clinics; to undertake instillation of eye drops and handheld tonometry under supervision of a staff nurse and following pgd policy; to record patients blood pressure, pulse, temperature, blood glucose testing and urinalysis.
To answer the telephone to gps, opticians and patients, communicating with and informing staff nurses and ophthalmic doctors.
To follow the procedure for faxes coming into the department to allow comprehensive patient care.

For further information, please see the job description and person specification.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To set up the main ophthalmic outpatient department clinics daily
To accurately record visual acuities on all ophthalmic patients and document the results; carry out auto-refraction on patients; to work in sub-speciality visual field-testing clinics; to undertake instillation of eye drops and handheld tonometry under supervision of a staff nurse and following pgd policy; to record patients blood pressure, pulse, temperature, blood glucose testing and urinalysis.
To answer the telephone to gps, opticians and patients, communicating with and informing staff nurses and ophthalmic doctors.
To follow the procedure for faxes coming into the department to allow comprehensive patient care.

For further information, please see the job description and person specification.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

NVQ Level 2 or 3 Health and social care
Understanding of the hospital environment
Understanding of a patient centred approach to care and teamwork.
Understanding of the role of Health Care Assistant

Desirable

Ophthalmic Experience

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential

Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

NVQ Level 2 or 3 Health and social care
Understanding of the hospital environment
Understanding of a patient centred approach to care and teamwork.
Understanding of the role of Health Care Assistant

Desirable

Ophthalmic Experience

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential

Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

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.

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

St. Richard's Hospital

Spitalfield Lane

Chichester

PO19 6SE

Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

St. Richard's Hospital

Spitalfield Lane

Chichester

PO19 6SE

Employer's website

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