Senior Healthcare Support Worker, Ophthalmology

Ashford & St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 30 April 2025

Job summary

Ashford and St Peters NHS foundation Trust is now recruiting for a Senior Health Care Support Workers(Band 3) in the Ophthalmology Department.

Candidates applying for this post must possess and be able to demonstrate within the application form the following essential criteria:o Recent and previous NHS experience as a health care support worker for a minimum of six monthso Having successfully achieved the Care Certificate within an NHS setting.

Only candidates that meet the above will be considered for this post.

In brief, you will be carrying out assigned tasks involved with direct patient care whilst maintaining the privacy and dignity of patients. This will be whilst demonstrating excellent care, compassion and communication, and in support of and supervised by a Registered Nurse or Nursing Associate, incorporating:

Undertaking and recording of Vital Signs
Moving & Handling of patients to support independence
Infection Prevention and Control
Safeguarding of adults and children.

Main duties of the job

1. Assist the Medical team or Nurse practitioners in completing intravitreal injections, minor operations and cross-linking clinics

2. Assist in the supervision and training of less experienced HCAs, also help in the orientation of new nurses and support student nurses alongside the trained nurses.

3. Looking after patient's pre and post op eye surgery and assisting with basic care.

4. Taking patients to theatre and collecting patients' post-surgery following LA.

5. Working in the eye clinic completing vision, visual field test and eye pressure tests.

6. To liaise with the multi-disciplinary team as required, e.g. Orthoptists, Photography team, Eye Clinic liaison officer, and admin support.

7. You will be expected in your role as a B3 HCA, to work as a member of the ophthalmic team undertaking Patient Care in a specialised area. To be able to complete essential competency-based assessments for patients being cared for within the Eye Unit, attending for Eye Day surgery or the eye clinic.

8. Teach patients safe drop instillation technique, including use of drop aids.

9. Assist registered nurses in admitting and discharging of patients in the eye ward.

10. Communicate in a timely manner to the nurse in charge any changes observed in a patient's condition or any worries the Patient or their family and carers have.

About us

Ashford and St. Peters Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust serves a population of more than 410,000 people living in North-West Surrey, parts of Hounslow and beyond.

Over 3,700 highly trained doctors, nurses, midwives, therapists, healthcare scientists and other support staff make up our workforce, providing a wide range of services across our two hospital sites, Ashford, Surrey and St Peter's, Chertsey, Surrey.

We also run many specialist clinics in the community and local community hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

Our vision is to be one of the best healthcare Trusts in the country. There has never been a better time to join us in the NHS at ASPH. We are committed to providing continuous professional development and flexibility to shape our workforce around our patient care.

We are expanding our theatres at Ashford Hospital and moving towards this becoming our dedicated elective centre. We want to create a state-of-the-art centre for excellence for planned surgical procedures.

We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits/discounts and in addition:

Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement
On-site Nurseries
On-site staff cafes
On-site parking
Support in career development
Salary Sacrifice schemes including wage stream, lease cars, Cycle to Work schemes and home electronics

Adverts may close early, so applicants are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.

For more information about a career at ASPH please visit:www.asph-careers.org

Date posted

29 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£25,883 to £26,958 a year per annum inc. HCAS pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

323-ACS2276-RT

Job locations

Ashford and St Peters NHS foundation Trust

London Road

Ashford

TW15 3AA

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the Main duties of the Job for a brief overview and then the attached Job Description for further full details.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the Main duties of the Job for a brief overview and then the attached Job Description for further full details.

Person Specification

Knowledge

Essential

Trust vision, values and behaviours and strategic objectives
Understanding of the role of the Healthcare Support Worker in the hospital setting

Other Requirements

Essential

Able to demonstrate that you are honest, reliable and trustworthy
Treat patients, visitors and colleagues with respect
Ability to be flexible to meet the needs of the patients, the team, the service and the Trust. This could include shift work during a 7-day working pattern
Residing in the UK with a valid right to work documentation to work in the UK

Qualifications

Essential

Functional level of English and Math
Care Certificate in Acute Care

Desirable

Level 3 Health and Social Care qualification

Experience

Essential

Previous experience working as a health care support worker within the NHS for a minimum of six months
Working as part of a team

Desirable

Previous experience training and supporting new staff
Previous experience in Ophthalmology

Skills

Essential

Excellent people, communication and telephone skills
Ability to work without constant supervision and as part of a team
To be organized and be able to work under pressure
You are able to communicate effectively to ensure high standards of care, treatment and service or support as appropriate to your role.
Patient facing roles - be able to understand an individual's communication, physical & emotional needs; recognise their needs and preferences.

Desirable

You have knowledge & awareness of diversity and human rights as appropriate to your role
Extended Clinical Skills

Person Specification

Knowledge

Essential

Trust vision, values and behaviours and strategic objectives
Understanding of the role of the Healthcare Support Worker in the hospital setting

Other Requirements

Essential

Able to demonstrate that you are honest, reliable and trustworthy
Treat patients, visitors and colleagues with respect
Ability to be flexible to meet the needs of the patients, the team, the service and the Trust. This could include shift work during a 7-day working pattern
Residing in the UK with a valid right to work documentation to work in the UK

Qualifications

Essential

Functional level of English and Math
Care Certificate in Acute Care

Desirable

Level 3 Health and Social Care qualification

Experience

Essential

Previous experience working as a health care support worker within the NHS for a minimum of six months
Working as part of a team

Desirable

Previous experience training and supporting new staff
Previous experience in Ophthalmology

Skills

Essential

Excellent people, communication and telephone skills
Ability to work without constant supervision and as part of a team
To be organized and be able to work under pressure
You are able to communicate effectively to ensure high standards of care, treatment and service or support as appropriate to your role.
Patient facing roles - be able to understand an individual's communication, physical & emotional needs; recognise their needs and preferences.

Desirable

You have knowledge & awareness of diversity and human rights as appropriate to your role
Extended Clinical Skills

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.