Job summary
As one of the country's leading Ophthalmology units in the country, the Newcastle Eye Centre continually improves how it offers high quality services for patients, and excellent career satisfaction for its staff.
Our Optometry Department is no exception and we are delighted to be in a position to seek a Clinical Assistant to join the team at the Royal Victoria Infirmary. Having the right work/life balance is a key priority for us and as such applications are welcome from those seeking both full and part time employment. We have a diverse clinical workload including paediatrics, corneal, YAG capsulotomy, cataract and research clinics as well as specialised contact lens fitting (adult and paediatric) and low visual aids.
- Interview Date Wednesday 21 May 2025
- 37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week (part time hours considered)
- You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy
NO AGENCIES PLEASE
Main duties of the job
The Clinical Assistant will support the Optometrist by undertaking a mix of both clinical and administrative roles. Clinical duties will include performing imaging techniques such as pentacam and specular microscopy, visual field testing, teaching contact lens patients how to care and handle their contact lenses, measuring visual acuity (adult and paediatric patients) and intraocular pressure. Administrative duties will centre mainly on the processing of contact lenses, this includes the timely ordering of contact lenses and appropriate dispatch to patients. Other duties include supporting the low vision service, research service, infection prevention and control link and responding to general optometry queries.
Successful candidates will demonstrate an enthusiasm for the role and the ability to understand and interpret information pertinent to the post whilst working within normal parameters concerning patient wellbeing and relevant professional standards. Previous work in an Ophthalmology setting is desirable but not essential as full training will be given.
About us
Our staff oversee over 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:
o Freeman Hospitalo Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)o Health Innovation Neighbourhood (on the former Newcastle General Hospital and Centre for Ageing and Vitality site)o Newcastle Dental Hospitalo Newcastle Fertility Centreo Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbriao Northern Genetics Serviceo Cramlington Manor Walks
These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.
We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under 'Documents to download' or 'Supporting documents'.
For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To abide by Trust policies and procedures
- To lead and co-ordinate a range of clinical and non-clinical tasks and responsibilities as delegated by Head Optometrist/Orthoptist
- To be responsible for ensuring patient safety is assured while on duty
- To support the registered Optometrists/Orthoptists and work under their direction or other registered health care practitioners in providing high quality clinical care etc.
- Be an effective part of the multi-disciplinary team contributing to the departmental objectives
- Continue to develop and maintain competencies in direct patient care to maintain high quality and safe standard
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To abide by Trust policies and procedures
- To lead and co-ordinate a range of clinical and non-clinical tasks and responsibilities as delegated by Head Optometrist/Orthoptist
- To be responsible for ensuring patient safety is assured while on duty
- To support the registered Optometrists/Orthoptists and work under their direction or other registered health care practitioners in providing high quality clinical care etc.
- Be an effective part of the multi-disciplinary team contributing to the departmental objectives
- Continue to develop and maintain competencies in direct patient care to maintain high quality and safe standard
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential
- Foundation degree / NVQ level 4 or an NVQ level 3 plus short courses or experience in speciality
- Full driving licence (if working in community areas)
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Demonstrates an understanding of clinical assistant role for allied health professionals/healthcare scientists e.g., BIOS (senior orthoptic clinical assistant) and/or optical assistant
- Understand issues regarding accountability and delegation
- Presents self as courteous, respectful and helpful
- Experience of working under indirect supervision as part of the multi-disciplinary team
- Can demonstrate compliance with all mandatory and statutory training
- Promote a positive image of the organisation, department and team at all times
Desirable
- Previous experience within speciality area
- Experience of supporting the development of others
- Knowledge of national and local policies and guidelines
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Basic IT skills
- Ability to communicate with members of the public and health care providers
- Ability to deal with non-routine and unpredictable nature of the workload and individual patient contact
- Clinical skills and competencies relevant to role e.g., measuring visual acuity, IOP and visual fields
- Assessed as competent with the required skills and task
Person Specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential
- Foundation degree / NVQ level 4 or an NVQ level 3 plus short courses or experience in speciality
- Full driving licence (if working in community areas)
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Demonstrates an understanding of clinical assistant role for allied health professionals/healthcare scientists e.g., BIOS (senior orthoptic clinical assistant) and/or optical assistant
- Understand issues regarding accountability and delegation
- Presents self as courteous, respectful and helpful
- Experience of working under indirect supervision as part of the multi-disciplinary team
- Can demonstrate compliance with all mandatory and statutory training
- Promote a positive image of the organisation, department and team at all times
Desirable
- Previous experience within speciality area
- Experience of supporting the development of others
- Knowledge of national and local policies and guidelines
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Basic IT skills
- Ability to communicate with members of the public and health care providers
- Ability to deal with non-routine and unpredictable nature of the workload and individual patient contact
- Clinical skills and competencies relevant to role e.g., measuring visual acuity, IOP and visual fields
- Assessed as competent with the required skills and task
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.
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.
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).
