West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Band 4 - Assistant Practitioner, Ophthalmology

The closing date is 18 June 2025

Job summary

An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, motivated, professional Band 4 Assistant Practitioner to join the Ophthalmology Outpatient Department in Watford and St Albans. The post holder will be based at Watford General Hospital but will be working across sites to St Alban's City Hospital. Full time. 37.5 hours.

Informal visits are welcome.

****** 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, Pre and 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.

The applicant must have excellent organisational, interpersonal and communication skills. Have ophthalmic background and outpatient experience. Be able to demonstrate ophthalmic nursing skills, an understanding of current issues in ophthalmology and 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

05 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,857 to £30,570 a year inc. HCA

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

360-B-10191

Job locations

Cross Site

Watford

WD18 0HB


Job description

Job responsibilities

Ensure the appropriate, consistent and timely provision of information to the Hospital team leads throughout the working shift and participate at handover at the start and end of each shift.

Communicate effectively throughout the Hospital team ward areas and other departments to ensure that patient care needs are responded appropriately and in a timely manner.

Ensure the appropriate, consistent and timely provision of information to patients when delivering care and / or performing tasks.

Document accurately details of patient observations, tasks completed and any interventions in medical notes.

Have the ability to accept and record blood results by telephone have the competency to recognise abnormal blood results immediately and escalate appropriately.

Deliver clinical and therapeutic care, within the clinical setting within set protocols and within scope of Assistant Practitioner/Nursing Associate remit under the direction of the hospital team.

Have the competencies and ability to perform basic patient assessment and observations and other tasks such as venepuncture, cannulation and catheterisation.

Have the competencies and ability to recognise a deteriorating patient.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Ensure the appropriate, consistent and timely provision of information to the Hospital team leads throughout the working shift and participate at handover at the start and end of each shift.

Communicate effectively throughout the Hospital team ward areas and other departments to ensure that patient care needs are responded appropriately and in a timely manner.

Ensure the appropriate, consistent and timely provision of information to patients when delivering care and / or performing tasks.

Document accurately details of patient observations, tasks completed and any interventions in medical notes.

Have the ability to accept and record blood results by telephone have the competency to recognise abnormal blood results immediately and escalate appropriately.

Deliver clinical and therapeutic care, within the clinical setting within set protocols and within scope of Assistant Practitioner/Nursing Associate remit under the direction of the hospital team.

Have the competencies and ability to perform basic patient assessment and observations and other tasks such as venepuncture, cannulation and catheterisation.

Have the competencies and ability to recognise a deteriorating patient.

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

  • Foundation Degree in Health & social care or equivalent.

Knowledge

Essential

  • Technical expertise or knowledge specific to this role
  • To be able to demonstrate knowledge into practice and ability to perform analysis and simple problem solving.
  • Ability to undertake and interpret a range of patient observations as required in clinical area e.g. temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, oxygen saturation levels, ECG.
  • Ability to undertake a range of procedures relevant to area of works e.g. venepuncture, cannulation, catheterisation and dressings; this is not a definitive list.
  • Ability to provide nursing/therapeutic care.

Experience

Essential

  • Previous healthcare related experience
  • Previous experience of working within a healthcare / caring environment.
  • Ability to deal with awkward or difficult situations
Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

  • Foundation Degree in Health & social care or equivalent.

Knowledge

Essential

  • Technical expertise or knowledge specific to this role
  • To be able to demonstrate knowledge into practice and ability to perform analysis and simple problem solving.
  • Ability to undertake and interpret a range of patient observations as required in clinical area e.g. temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, oxygen saturation levels, ECG.
  • Ability to undertake a range of procedures relevant to area of works e.g. venepuncture, cannulation, catheterisation and dressings; this is not a definitive list.
  • Ability to provide nursing/therapeutic care.

Experience

Essential

  • Previous healthcare related experience
  • Previous experience of working within a healthcare / caring environment.
  • Ability to deal with awkward or difficult situations

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

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Cross Site

Watford

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

Cross Site

Watford

WD18 0HB


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Lead Nurse - Ophthalmology

Armida Gotera

armida.gotera@nhs.net

07714065241

Details

Date posted

05 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,857 to £30,570 a year inc. HCA

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

360-B-10191

Job locations

Cross Site

Watford

WD18 0HB


Supporting documents

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