Job summary
Folkestone Eye Centre is an NHS community-based outpatient clinic, bringing expert eye care closer to patients homes.
The service is a joint venture owned and run by the partnership of Newton Place Surgery and a group of local expert Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeons.
The service is located at our newly renovated premises within Basepoint in Folkestone. We have the most up to date diagnostic and surgical equipment on site, including a state-of-the-art cataract surgery suite.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for a new Ophthalmic Assistant to join our Folkestone Eye Centre Team. This will be 37.5 hours over 5 days per week including weekends.
Our Ophthalmic Assistants are the face of Folkestone Eye Centre they are often amongst the first people that our patients interact with on clinic visits and so having a welcoming, friendly, empathetic approach is vital.
It is a busy role - you will be seeing a number of patients each day to take them through a range of diagnostic tests. These will be passed onto a senior clinician to ascertain if surgery or further treatment is required. At the weekend, you will assist a multidisciplinary theatre team through complicated eye surgery, by admitting and discharging patients. You will be using a variety of different equipment and systems so we are looking for someone who is comfortable using systems and is fairly tech savvy.
The thought of eye surgery can be a daunting prospect for patients to deal with, so our Ophthalmic Assistants need to be able to put patients at ease. They also need strong communication skills to be able to explain the purpose of the different tests to ensure the patient understands their treatment.
This is a great role to progress your clinical skills or to take the first step on a clinical career path
About us
The team at Folkestone Eye Centre is run by our Service Lead, with the help and support of the 5 Consultant Ophthalmologists who are on rotation.
The atmosphere at Folkestone Eye Centre is a warm and friendly one. We have a newly renovated premises which is clean and comfortable.
We have a strong work ethic at Folkestone Eye Centre and we always put our patients first.
We offer 25 days holiday + 8 bank holidays, the option to join the NHS pension scheme, free parking and a range of NHS discounts, including the option to sign up for a Blue Light Card.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To carry out Visual Field testing to a high standard, ensuring the individual needs of patients are met, maintaining the patients dignity and privacy, always acting in the patients best interests.
- Testing and recording of visual acuity using both Snellen and COMPlog
- Instillation of eye drops under the instruction of a Consultant Ophthalmologist.
- Measuring eye pressures with iCare tonometer probe
- To care for the equipment used within the Outpatient clinic.
- To develop an understanding and knowledge of reviewing patient referral letters including GP and Optician information to ensure additional investigations are completed
- To give clear and concise explanation and test instructions to ensure maximum patient understanding and co-operation takes place, taking into account patients who have sensory impairment (visual and/or hearing loss), physical or mental health, learning difficulties, different age groups, cultural differences and non-English speaking individuals or carers.
- To act as a chaperone
- To maintain and update relevant knowledge and skills, maintain a professional portfolio and participate in further training as appropriate, in order to enhance quality of care for patients and carers.
- To communicate effectively (written and verbally), respectfully and in a timely manner within the team.
- Understand the principle of confidentiality, always communicating in a way that maintains the patients confidentiality.
- To keep areas clean and to sanitise areas between each and every patient.
- Performing admission tasks when admitting a patient for surgery at the weekend
- Performing discharge tasks when discharging a patient from surgery.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To carry out Visual Field testing to a high standard, ensuring the individual needs of patients are met, maintaining the patients dignity and privacy, always acting in the patients best interests.
- Testing and recording of visual acuity using both Snellen and COMPlog
- Instillation of eye drops under the instruction of a Consultant Ophthalmologist.
- Measuring eye pressures with iCare tonometer probe
- To care for the equipment used within the Outpatient clinic.
- To develop an understanding and knowledge of reviewing patient referral letters including GP and Optician information to ensure additional investigations are completed
- To give clear and concise explanation and test instructions to ensure maximum patient understanding and co-operation takes place, taking into account patients who have sensory impairment (visual and/or hearing loss), physical or mental health, learning difficulties, different age groups, cultural differences and non-English speaking individuals or carers.
- To act as a chaperone
- To maintain and update relevant knowledge and skills, maintain a professional portfolio and participate in further training as appropriate, in order to enhance quality of care for patients and carers.
- To communicate effectively (written and verbally), respectfully and in a timely manner within the team.
- Understand the principle of confidentiality, always communicating in a way that maintains the patients confidentiality.
- To keep areas clean and to sanitise areas between each and every patient.
- Performing admission tasks when admitting a patient for surgery at the weekend
- Performing discharge tasks when discharging a patient from surgery.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE grade A to C in English and Mathematics or equivalent.
- Qualified to NVQ level 2 in Health and Social Care.
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrate a clear insight into the role.
- Previous experience in Ophthalmology as HCA or imaging tech.
- Previous experience of working within a nursing team
- Previous experience of dealing with vulnerable patients
Desirable
- Previous experience in Ophthalmology.
- Competent in performing eye scans.
- Ability to work on own initiative.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE grade A to C in English and Mathematics or equivalent.
- Qualified to NVQ level 2 in Health and Social Care.
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrate a clear insight into the role.
- Previous experience in Ophthalmology as HCA or imaging tech.
- Previous experience of working within a nursing team
- Previous experience of dealing with vulnerable patients
Desirable
- Previous experience in Ophthalmology.
- Competent in performing eye scans.
- Ability to work on own initiative.
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.
