Ophthalmic Imaging Technician (XR04)

Job description

Job responsibilities

a. Medical Illustration at LTHT provides a wide variety of clinical and PR photography, ophthalmic imaging and design and illustration services throughout the Trust. The post holder will provide clinical imaging (ophthalmic imaging, photography and video) for case record, research, teaching and publication abiding by all consent, confidentiality and legal guidelines.

b. Provision of an imaging service to the Ophthalmology Department forms a core part of the work undertaken by Medical Illustration, which continues to grow year-on-year. The imaging team work with several specialties including medical retina, corneal, glaucoma, plastics, paediatrics and casualty and in doing so, perform multiple imaging procedures using a wide variety of equipment including OCT (retinal and anterior segment), corneal topography, retinal imaging (including ultra-widefield, multicolour, autofluorescence), angiography, anterior segment photography (slit lamp and DSLR) and specular microscopy. The post holder will form an integral part of the imaging team and will be expected to work comfortably with all of the imaging equipment in order to provide a friendly, efficient service to patients and clinicians in a busy outpatient setting.

c. Ophthalmic imaging is provided in the main at St James and Seacroft hospitals in Leeds but also from a number of satellite sites across the city and at Wharfedale Hospital in Otley. The post holder will be expected to work flexibly across all sites often without direct supervision. The post holder will contribute to the maintenance of an environment for effective care and may be expected to supervise and/ or line manage other staff

Clinical Responsibilities:

Undertake a range of ophthalmic diagnostic imaging to a high level of competence. Learn to recognise common performance errors in the imaging and how to remedy these. The test will be supervised by the post holder at all times while being undertaken and re-started if the results are found to contain errors. It will be important to recognise the need to re-adjust the patient where necessary and to re-assure the patient if they become anxious at any time during the test.

Providing clear and precise information and explanation to patients regarding the tests to be undertaken in order to gain verbal consent and patient cooperation, which is required to achieve the best possible result. Sometimes patients may have difficulty understanding instructions and it will be the post holders responsibility to ensure that any concerns are addressed and clarified.

To be involved in research activities, in particular to undertake OCT to set protocols for current research trails undertaken within Ophthalmology. This will involve specific training regarding each study, certification from the associated reading centre and a requirement to be up to date with GCP training.

To undertake image management including accurate saving and any appropriate electronic image editing. Ensure accurate documentation of imaging requests using medical notes and electronic patient and imaging databases eg Medisoft, WABA, HEYEX, imagenet. Support clerical staff in retrieving records and or providing reception cover etc.

Have an understanding of a range of common Ophthalmic conditions in order to understand which imaging modality is usual for these conditions and allow fact checking if another test is requested

Work closely with colleagues to provide virtual clinics for relevant conditions. Be the main point of contact for patients during these clinics and make a judgement if the patient is unsuitable for such a clinic in future. In addition to imaging, undertake and record patient interview including taking a short ophthalmic history, visual acuity testing and instillation of drops where required. Explain the possible outcomes to patients and be able to respond to questions and queries, or escalate these as appropriate.

To administer the appropriate dilatation drugs by the correct method within their scope of work as authorised by the Trust.

To be aware of any contraindications to the above substances and the appropriate actions to take.

To assess and evaluate special needs of individual patients and tailor positioning and procedures to their clinical needs, which involve overcoming barriers to understanding.

To anticipate where patient communication difficulties might make completion of the pre-examination checklist impossible and to implement alternative methods to ensure patient safety is maintained at all time.

To communicate effectively and empathetically with patients, paying particular attention to patients anxieties.

To provide a safe environment for patients within their clinical area using safe handling guidelines and risk assessment procedures.

To act as point of advice and guidance for patient enquires regarding their referral and act as patient advocate.

To act as a point of advice for patient enquires regarding their referral/ appointment, for and Liaison Service (PALS), Interpretation Services and hospital Transport.

Liaise with teams which are external to medical illustration and diabetic eye screening, e.g. ward, clinics, hotel services and facilities.

Assisting other photographers in the department and on location.

The Medical Illustration Department provides clinical services and there are occasions where it is necessary to work overtime in order to meet the needs of the service. This may be at short notice.

Participate in ongoing training and development including mandatory training, CPD and annual appraisal.

Operational Responsibilities:

To be involved in failsafe and quality assurance of virtual clinics.

To assist positively to the delivery of service on a day to day basis.

To participate in the safe transfer of patients and equipment within the department and hospital using trust manual handling guidelines and risk assessments.

Education, Training, Research and Development

The post holder will undertake all mandatory training required of the role.

Maintenance of knowledge in medical illustration by continuing professional development.

Up to date CGP training.

To be aware of innovations in techniques, equipment and applications in the field of medical illustration

Information and Record Keeping

Ensure written and electronic records are maintained accurately and timely for self and others.

Be responsible for the integrity of data on the image related computer data bases held by the department.

Participate in failsafe and quality assurance for virtual clinics if required..

Use a PC to provide departmental documents, procedures and images for training purposes.

Be fully competent in the operation of the Trust Job Management System, Medical Image Manager, Medisoft and PPM+.

Escalate any related issues or incidents to MIS management team through the appropriate channels Datix/verbally/other reporting mechanisms.

The jobholder must respect patient confidentiality at all times adhering to the Data Protection Act.

Additional duties:

As requirements develop, the post holder may be asked to be involved in virtual clinics in other areas, for example dermatology.

d. Working alongside the Ophthalmology clinical team (HCAs, CSWs, nurses, Consultants) the post holder will be required to undertake all imaging modalities requested and, on occasion, to make a judgement on which imaging is most appropriate for a particular patient/ condition, which may be different from the original request, and communicate the change to the requesting consultant. Effective communication skills are essential in explaining the imaging procedure to the patient in order to gain compliance for the best possible result.

e. A recent addition to the portfolio of traditional doctor-led clinics are virtual clinics for monitoring of certain conditions including diabetic retinopathy, Sickle cell retinopathy and Hydroxychloroquine toxicity screening and it is expected that these technician led clinics will increase in scope in the future in order to meet increasing demand on the Ophthalmology service. The post holder will be actively involved in running these clinics, during which they will be responsible, as the main point of contact with these patients, for taking a brief history, explaining the procedure and possible outcomes, gaining implied consent, measuring visual acuity and taking OCT and ultra-widefield retinal images. There may also be a requirement for the post holder to be involved in providing virtual clinics across other areas in medical Photography, as required by the service.

f. The department is actively involved in providing imaging for ophthalmic research trials and there will be an opportunity for the post holder to be involved in this.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Sound knowledge of digital imaging and associated IT skills.
• Knowledge and experience undertaking wide range of ophthalmic tests used in the diagnosis of ocular disease.
• Experience working in a busy outpatient department preferably within an acute setting.
• Excellent customer service skills and the ability to relate to and deal with a wide range of people including patients (some of which could be visually impaired), clinicians, nursing and administrative
• Considerable technical experience within Ophthalmology or experience working as a technician in the public sector. This will include knowledge and experience of obtaining a variety of different ophthalmology.

Desirable

• Enthusiastic and keen to get involved in service development and change

Qualifications

Essential

• Qualified to at least ONC level (or equivalent experience)
• GCSE passes including English and Maths at Grade C or above (literacy and numeracy).
• IT skills.
• Understands the need to attend mandatory training as part of own personal development.
• Expected to undertake the appropriate continuing professional development required.

Desirable

• Current GCP training.

Skills & Behaviours

Essential

• To have a sympathetic and professional attitude towards patients. Be caring and motivated to do the best for each and every patient.
• To possess a high level of manual dexterity, concentration, hand eye and sensory co-ordination necessary to perform a wide range of ophthalmic imaging, clinical photography and virtual clinic examinat
• Ability to work accurately, calmly and confidently at all times particularly when under pressure. The ability to work cheerfully and effectively as part of a team, which is expected to meet constant d
• Communicate effectively with patients, medical staff and the general public.
• To be aware of, and comply, with all standards of conduct, dress codes and patient care that relate to radiography and act within the approved guidelines of the trust.

Desirable

• Enthusiastic and keen to get involved in service development and change

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

Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Address

St. James's University Hospital

Beckett Street

Leeds

LS9 7TF

Employer's website

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