University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Senior Healthcare Assistant (OPD)

The closing date is 05 January 2026

Job summary

This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route however sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria. Applicants for the Senior HCA role must be able to evidence a minimum of 2 years' experience in the same role (Band 3 HCA within the NHS) to meet the salary requirements to qualify for sponsorship.

For this role it is essential that you have previous NHS or NHS primary care experience with a Care Certificate from an Ofqual regulated awarding organisation. Or that you are an internationally educated nurse/midwife/doctor who has worked in an acute hospital setting within recent years with evidence of your degree verified by an ENIC report.

Please ensure to attach your Care Certificate and/or ENIC report to your application as this will be required for interview.

To work as a Senior Ophthalmic Health Care Assistant under the supervision of Staff Nurses and Sister, predominantly within the OPD service, but with the skills to rotate to all areas of ophthalmology as required. To set up clinics, carry out and record Visual Acuity, Intra ocular pressure measurement, Auto-refraction, Foci meter, Visual Field Testing, occasional venepuncture and cannulation and to assist in Minor operation and Intravitreal injection clinics.

Main duties of the job

This role supports the ophthalmic team in outpatient clinics, assisting with visual acuities, patient flow, and clinical procedures. Key responsibilities include conducting visual field tests, instilling eye drops, performing hand held tonometry, and recording vital signs like blood pressure, temperature, and blood glucose. The post-holder will assist with routine tasks such as venepuncture, cannulation, urinalysis, and wight measurement . Supervision of junior staff and training of new team members are expected. The role also involves administrative tasks like assisting in direction where to book appointments, managing patient transport, and supporting patient inside the department.

The job includes assisting in minor ophthalmic procedures, ensuring correct eye drops administration, maintaining patient comfort, and adhering to infection control protocols. The post-holder is responsible for supporting patient care, including personal hygiene, feeding, mobility assistance, and communication support, ensuring patient dignity and privacy. Effective communication with patients, families, and multidisciplinary teams is essential.

Staff development is a key focus, with duties including mentoring junior colleagues and ensuring a positive, non-discriminatory work environment. The role may involve other duties aligned with the team's needs. Flexibility is expected as the job description evolves to meet service requirements.

About us

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. 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 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

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

Date posted

15 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per anum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

279-7421286-DEC25

Job locations

Sussex Eye Hospital with Occasional Travel to Princess Royal Hospital

Eastern Rd, Kemptown

Brighton

BN2 5BF

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see attached document for further information regarding the job description and main responsibilities.

To verify your Care Certificate, find an Ofqual-regulated awarding organisation using this too: Ofqual - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see attached document for further information regarding the job description and main responsibilities.

To verify your Care Certificate, find an Ofqual-regulated awarding organisation using this too: Ofqual - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Person Specification

Essential and Desirable

Essential

Substantive experience within ophthalmology speciality
Teamwork/Leadership Experience
Evidence of completed Band 2 competencies in Ophthalmology
Evidence of Level 3 Diploma in Clinical healthcare Support, Health & Social Care or relevant equivalent qualification
Care Certificate from a Ofqual regulated awarding organisation
Able to travel across sites (SEH, PRH, HPC)
Understanding of the hospital environment and of a patient centred approach to care and teamwork.
Understanding of visual acuity, visual fields testing, using auto refraction, to assist in minor operations and intra vitreal injections, accurate use of focimeter, record patient's blood pressure, pulse, respiration, temperature, blood glucose, take bloods, Electrocardiogram
NHS experience or NHS primary care experience is required or an internationally educated nurse/midwife/doctor who has worked in an acute NHS Trust within recent years.
Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills acquisition, working at a higher-level standard of care delivery, equivalent to vocational qualification level 3. This is evidenced via a portfolio of practice and/or a professional discussion
Evidence of completed Band 2 competencies in general areas/ward

Desirable

Venepuncture and Cannulation
Evidence of personal development in the Band 2 role

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

Essential and Desirable

Essential

Substantive experience within ophthalmology speciality
Teamwork/Leadership Experience
Evidence of completed Band 2 competencies in Ophthalmology
Evidence of Level 3 Diploma in Clinical healthcare Support, Health & Social Care or relevant equivalent qualification
Care Certificate from a Ofqual regulated awarding organisation
Able to travel across sites (SEH, PRH, HPC)
Understanding of the hospital environment and of a patient centred approach to care and teamwork.
Understanding of visual acuity, visual fields testing, using auto refraction, to assist in minor operations and intra vitreal injections, accurate use of focimeter, record patient's blood pressure, pulse, respiration, temperature, blood glucose, take bloods, Electrocardiogram
NHS experience or NHS primary care experience is required or an internationally educated nurse/midwife/doctor who has worked in an acute NHS Trust within recent years.
Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills acquisition, working at a higher-level standard of care delivery, equivalent to vocational qualification level 3. This is evidenced via a portfolio of practice and/or a professional discussion
Evidence of completed Band 2 competencies in general areas/ward

Desirable

Venepuncture and Cannulation
Evidence of personal development in the Band 2 role

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

Sussex Eye Hospital with Occasional Travel to Princess Royal Hospital

Eastern Rd, Kemptown

Brighton

BN2 5BF

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

Sussex Eye Hospital with Occasional Travel to Princess Royal Hospital

Eastern Rd, Kemptown

Brighton

BN2 5BF

Employer's website

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