West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Band 2/3 - Healthcare Support Worker, Ophthalmology Outpatients

The closing date is 07 July 2025

Job summary

An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated Healthcare Support Worker to join the Ophthalmology Outpatient Department at Watford General Hospital and St Albans City Hospital.

An ophthalmic background and outpatient experience are preferable, but not essential.

This is a full-time position (37.5 hours per week), primarily based at Watford General Hospital, with cross-site working at St Albans City Hospital.

The working hours are Monday to Friday, with no requirement for night or weekend shifts. The standard pattern will be three days of 9.5 hours and one day of 9 hours, with occasional adjustments to accommodate clinic schedules.

****** IMPORTANT INFORMATION - PLEASE READ ******

Please note - we are unable to obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship (Work Permit) for this role.

Main duties of the job

Clinics include Glaucoma, Cataract, Paediatric, Lacrimal, Post operative, Laser clinics (Yag & Argon), AMD, Diabetic and other Medical Retinal clinics, Intravitreal injection clinics, General ophthalmology clinics, Minor ops and an urgent eye clinic.

You must have excellent organisational, interpersonal and communication skills.

You must be able to demonstrate good Healthcare Support Worker skills to providethe best care to all our patients. You should have an understanding of current issues in ophthalmology and be a good team player.

About us

With a new hospital planned for Watford and work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital, this is an exciting time to join us. We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working ever more closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are a priority at our Trust, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others. We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance. www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking If you have a disability or long-term health condition and should you require support or guidance please contact westherts.recruitment@nhs.net If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form. We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Details

Date posted

23 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£25,427 to £26,958 a year inc HCA

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

360-HCSW-10267

Job locations

Watford and St Albans City Hospital

Watford/St Albans

WD18 0HB


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for a full list of duties and details about the role.

You will be required to complete the Care Certificate qualification as part of your on-going training.

The Care Certificate is an agreed set of standards that define theknowledge, skills and behaviours expected of specific job roles in the health and social care sectors. The qualification is made up of the 15 minimum standards that should be covered if you are 'new to care' and will form part of a robust induction programme.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for a full list of duties and details about the role.

You will be required to complete the Care Certificate qualification as part of your on-going training.

The Care Certificate is an agreed set of standards that define theknowledge, skills and behaviours expected of specific job roles in the health and social care sectors. The qualification is made up of the 15 minimum standards that should be covered if you are 'new to care' and will form part of a robust induction programme.

Person Specification

Education and qualifications:

Essential

  • Good general education.
  • Good standard of written and spoken English.
  • Willingness to undertake The Care Certificate, Skills for Care & Skills for Health.

Desirable

  • Completion of the Care Certificate.
  • NVQ Level 2 qualification in Health and Social Care or equivalent.
  • English GCSE A*- C, 4-9 or Functional skills level 2.
  • Maths GCSE A*-C, 4-9 or Functional skills level 2.

Knowledge:

Essential

  • Understands the role of a Healthcare Assistant.

Desirable

  • Previous training in First Aid.
  • IT skills.

Experience:

Essential

  • Broad general experience.
  • Team working.

Desirable

  • Previous experience in a health setting.
Person Specification

Education and qualifications:

Essential

  • Good general education.
  • Good standard of written and spoken English.
  • Willingness to undertake The Care Certificate, Skills for Care & Skills for Health.

Desirable

  • Completion of the Care Certificate.
  • NVQ Level 2 qualification in Health and Social Care or equivalent.
  • English GCSE A*- C, 4-9 or Functional skills level 2.
  • Maths GCSE A*-C, 4-9 or Functional skills level 2.

Knowledge:

Essential

  • Understands the role of a Healthcare Assistant.

Desirable

  • Previous training in First Aid.
  • IT skills.

Experience:

Essential

  • Broad general experience.
  • Team working.

Desirable

  • Previous experience in a health 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.

Employer details

Employer name

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Watford and St Albans City Hospital

Watford/St Albans

WD18 0HB


Employer's website

http://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Watford and St Albans City Hospital

Watford/St Albans

WD18 0HB


Employer's website

http://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Senior Sister

Armida Gotera

01923436001

Details

Date posted

23 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£25,427 to £26,958 a year inc HCA

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

360-HCSW-10267

Job locations

Watford and St Albans City Hospital

Watford/St Albans

WD18 0HB


Supporting documents

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