Associate Ophthalmic Science Practitioner

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trusts

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

Due to the expansion of clinical services, an opportunity has arisen for a permanent Associate Ophthalmic Science Practitioners to join a busy ophthalmology department.

The role includes undertaking a range of technical and imaging assessments required to support the diagnosis and management of patients attending the service. The expansion of our virtual clinic services puts the AOSP as the sole point of contact for the clinical appointment and good communication and organisational skills are required for this undertaking. There has been substantial investment in new equipment to develop these new ways of working. The post-holders will work closely with our optometry, orthoptic and medical teams and playing a key role in the delivery of the ophthalmology services direct patient care.

The role is suitable for candidates that have experience in undertaking a range of imaging assessments e.g. OCT , and intraocular pressure, visual acuity measurement and visual field assessment. Applicants who do not have a full range of experience will commence as a trainee Associate Ophthalmic Science Practitioner at Band 3 and progress to Band 4 on completion of in-house competency training.

The working pattern will be varied across the week to support service need. This includes working weekday, weekends, bank holiday days and varying hours between 7am and 8pm. You are strongly urged to consider your suitability to meet the service requirements prior to applying for this post.

Main duties of the job

Participate in the of delivery care across all elements of the Ophthalmology service providing technical services across a wide range of ophthalmic practice.

Demonstrate sound clinical decision making skills across Ophthalmic technical assessments to ensure accurate measurements.

Demonstrate a high degree of accuracy in using specialist equipment to gain accurate measurements.

Demonstrate good communication skills and the ability to work with a wide range of patients and as part of a multi-disciplinary team

To supervise new members of staff and colleagues in training in all technical assessment undertaken.

Work flexibly to support the needs of the service, this may include training for additional roles.

Demonstrate a good team working ethic in the delivery of high quality patient care.

Use time management and organisational skills to ensure smooth running of the individual clinics and wider service.

About us

The successful candidate will be working with the multidisciplinary team in the Ophthalmology Department comprising of Orthoptists, Optometrists, Ophthalmologists, Technicians, OSPs, the nursing and admin teams.

Ophthalmology is a busy department in a large teaching hospital and the Ophthalmic Technician and Ophthalmic Imaging services are extremely busy, with a mix of booked appointments and on demand services.

Ophthalmology Services include eye casualty, day case, in-patient and outpatient facilities. It has strong links to the University of Nottingham through research and works closely with the regional Diabetic Eye Screening Service. We have a large team of Consultant Ophthalmologists, who provide outpatient and surgical services in a full range of Ophthalmology sub-speciality clinics.

The post holder will be required to work various shifts to support the needs of the service. This includes working weekdays, weekends, bank holiday days and varying hours with the earliest start time at 7.00am and the latest finish at 8.00pm. You are strongly urged to consider your suitability to meet the service requirements prior to applying for this post.

Date posted

30 January 2023

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£23,949 to £26,282 a year Per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

164-4954331

Job locations

QMC Campus

Derby Road

Nottingham

NG7 2UH


Job description

Job responsibilities

As an Associate Ophthalmic Science Practitioner you will maintain the delivery of a high standard of clinical work across all areas. This includes performing Humphrey automated and Octopus manual visual fields, undertaking biometric assessment on patients using ultrasonography and optical biometry, performing optical coherence tomography and measurement of visual acuity and intra-ocular pressure.

Work as a flexible member of the wider Ophthalmic team undertaking technical assessment on patients of all ages and who have various communication abilities and who have been referred from a variety of sources.

To use analytical and judgement skills to tailor the delivery of care to the needs of individual patients and be able to adapt emotional, mental and physical responses appropriately. This requires maintaining concentration for prolonged periods whilst coping with the competing demands of unplanned daily clinical workload and frequent interruption.

To demonstrate considerable manual dexterity and speed in a variety of clinical procedures to ensure accurate results and images.

To participate in departmental audit and research projects as required.

Ensure compliance with infection control procedures

Ensure compliance with our clinical governance framework.

Job description

Job responsibilities

As an Associate Ophthalmic Science Practitioner you will maintain the delivery of a high standard of clinical work across all areas. This includes performing Humphrey automated and Octopus manual visual fields, undertaking biometric assessment on patients using ultrasonography and optical biometry, performing optical coherence tomography and measurement of visual acuity and intra-ocular pressure.

Work as a flexible member of the wider Ophthalmic team undertaking technical assessment on patients of all ages and who have various communication abilities and who have been referred from a variety of sources.

To use analytical and judgement skills to tailor the delivery of care to the needs of individual patients and be able to adapt emotional, mental and physical responses appropriately. This requires maintaining concentration for prolonged periods whilst coping with the competing demands of unplanned daily clinical workload and frequent interruption.

To demonstrate considerable manual dexterity and speed in a variety of clinical procedures to ensure accurate results and images.

To participate in departmental audit and research projects as required.

Ensure compliance with infection control procedures

Ensure compliance with our clinical governance framework.

Person Specification

Training and Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to GCSE or equivalent standard with passes at A - C or equivalent in English and Maths

Experience

Essential

  • Recent ophthalmic clinical experience
  • Previous experience in dealing with patient/public or customer care skills.

Desirable

  • Use of IOL master and/or ultrasound for Biometry

Communication and relationship

Essential

  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Able to work under own initiative or as team member
  • Excellent IT skills

Organisational Skills

Essential

  • Meticulous attention to detail

Physical skills

Essential

  • oManual dexterity
  • oWorking hours between 7.30am and 8.00pm (vary day to day)
Person Specification

Training and Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to GCSE or equivalent standard with passes at A - C or equivalent in English and Maths

Experience

Essential

  • Recent ophthalmic clinical experience
  • Previous experience in dealing with patient/public or customer care skills.

Desirable

  • Use of IOL master and/or ultrasound for Biometry

Communication and relationship

Essential

  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Able to work under own initiative or as team member
  • Excellent IT skills

Organisational Skills

Essential

  • Meticulous attention to detail

Physical skills

Essential

  • oManual dexterity
  • oWorking hours between 7.30am and 8.00pm (vary day to day)

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trusts

Address

QMC Campus

Derby Road

Nottingham

NG7 2UH


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trusts

Address

QMC Campus

Derby Road

Nottingham

NG7 2UH


Employer's website

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

For questions about the job, contact:

Deputy Head Orthoptist

Victoria Jarvis

victoria.jarvis@nuh.nhs.uk

01159709750

Date posted

30 January 2023

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£23,949 to £26,282 a year Per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

164-4954331

Job locations

QMC Campus

Derby Road

Nottingham

NG7 2UH


Supporting documents

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