Job summary
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, Intraocular pressure measurement, Auto-refraction, Focimeter measurements, Visual Field Testing, occasional venepuncture and cannulation and to assist in Minor operation and Intravitreal injection clinics.
To work within a multi-disciplinary team giving specialist Ophthalmic care to ophthalmic patients.
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. 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. For example, applicants for the Senior HCA role must be able toevidencea minimum of 2 years' experience in the same role to qualify for sponsorship.
Main duties of the job
The role supports ophthalmology outpatient services by assisting clinic flow, recording visual acuities, performing visual field tests, instilling eye drops, and carrying out clinical observations including BP, temperature, blood glucose, venepuncture, ECG recording and urinalysis. The post-holder assists with intravitreal injection and minor ops clinics, ensuring correct preparation, infection control, documentation and patient comfort.
Duties include answering telephone queries, basic administrative tasks, coordinating clinics, supporting patient discharge and assisting patients with daily living activities while maintaining dignity, privacy and safety. The role requires accurate record keeping, adherence to policies, infection control, and working within assessed competencies.
The post-holder acts as a role model, supervising junior staff, supporting induction, demonstrating skills once competent, and contributing to a respectful, inclusive workplace. Responsibilities include participating in team meetings, giving and receiving feedback, reporting incidents, supporting service improvements, and handling ophthalmic equipment safely. Ongoing learning, mandatory training and development planning with the line manager are essential. The role aligns with the Trust's values of compassion, inclusion and respect, and supports safeguarding, equality and high-quality patient care
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 abuddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Candidate Pack
Job description
Job responsibilities
To assist the ophthalmic team with the running of the out-patient clinics, including accurately recording Visual Acuities and assist the nursing and medical teams with the clinic flow.
To assist the medical and nursing staff with the running of ophthalmology outpatients clinics and working within the pre-assessment and ward areas as required.
To be competent in Visual Field testing, to undertake instillation of eye drops and handheld Tonometry, to be able to use the foci meter and auto-refraction, to record patients blood pressure, pulse, respiration, temperature, blood glucose testing, venepuncture, cannulation and urinalysis.
To answer the telephone calls from GPs, opticians and patients, communicating with and informing members of the medical and nursing teams as appropriate.
The post-holder will be accountable primarily to the Department Sister and in his/her absence the senior staff nurse on duty.
To act as a role model and teach and supervise more junior members of the team. To be actively involved in the induction of new staff.
Please see Job Description and Person Specification for full details.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To assist the ophthalmic team with the running of the out-patient clinics, including accurately recording Visual Acuities and assist the nursing and medical teams with the clinic flow.
To assist the medical and nursing staff with the running of ophthalmology outpatients clinics and working within the pre-assessment and ward areas as required.
To be competent in Visual Field testing, to undertake instillation of eye drops and handheld Tonometry, to be able to use the foci meter and auto-refraction, to record patients blood pressure, pulse, respiration, temperature, blood glucose testing, venepuncture, cannulation and urinalysis.
To answer the telephone calls from GPs, opticians and patients, communicating with and informing members of the medical and nursing teams as appropriate.
The post-holder will be accountable primarily to the Department Sister and in his/her absence the senior staff nurse on duty.
To act as a role model and teach and supervise more junior members of the team. To be actively involved in the induction of new staff.
Please see Job Description and Person Specification for full details.
Person Specification
Experience/ Qualifications
Essential
- NHS experience or NHS primary care experience is required or an internationally educated nurse/midwife/doctor who has worked in an acute hospital setting within recent years
- Care Certificate from an Ofqual regulated awarding organisation. OR international qualification
- 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
Desirable
- Level 3 Diploma in Clinical healthcare Support, Health & Social Care or relevant equivalent qualification (e.g., NVQ Level 3).
- Experience ordering and maintaining stock levels (specifically ophthalmic consumables like drops or disposable tonometer prisms).
- Evidence of participation in departmental audits or service improvement projects.
- Experience working in a high-volume, multi-disciplinary OPD setting
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Person Specification
Experience/ Qualifications
Essential
- NHS experience or NHS primary care experience is required or an internationally educated nurse/midwife/doctor who has worked in an acute hospital setting within recent years
- Care Certificate from an Ofqual regulated awarding organisation. OR international qualification
- 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
Desirable
- Level 3 Diploma in Clinical healthcare Support, Health & Social Care or relevant equivalent qualification (e.g., NVQ Level 3).
- Experience ordering and maintaining stock levels (specifically ophthalmic consumables like drops or disposable tonometer prisms).
- Evidence of participation in departmental audits or service improvement projects.
- Experience working in a high-volume, multi-disciplinary OPD setting
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
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.
