Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Ophthalmology Healthcare Assistant

The closing date is 25 February 2026

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated Band 3 healthcare assistant to join the highly skilled Ophthalmic Surgical Team. This will be a full-time, 37.5 hour vacancy, working in The Ophthalmic Surgical Unit and Medical Retina Unit, for a fixed term of 12 months. Working hours include Monday- Friday, 7.30am -7pm, over a 4-5 day period.

The Unit provides sight saving treatment for people across Lancashire/ Cumbria and beyond using state of the art facilities designed with high quality patient focused care at the forefront.

The Ophthalmic surgical unit is a specialised department which integrates The Medical Retina Unit, macular service, two theatres a recovery area and an ophthalmic day surgery ward offering a number of clinical settings within the unit.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be working as a band 3 healthcare assistant within a highly specialised Ophthalmology Surgery and Clinic setting. This role involves admitting and preparing patients for Ophthalmic procedures, assessing visual acuity, preparing patients for fluroescein angiogram. There will be a requirement to continually adapt with the service as work within a nurse led services which includes intravitreal injecting.

You would be involved in preparing patients for procedures such as:

  • Retinal detachments (PPV)
  • Cataract surgery
  • Plastic surgery
  • Biopsies
  • Laser eye surgery
  • Emergency and trauma surgery
  • Due to restructuring within the unit in an attempt to grow our expanding service we require a passionate and positive individual who have pride in their work. The ideal candidate would receive full on the job training in a supportive environment with a team that values you. We also offer:
  • A structured mentorship programme, supportive of individuals learning strategies and needs
  • Encouragement for staff to take on projects to take the department forward, where each contribution is valued.

About us

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is ideally situated just a forty five minute drive from Manchester. The Trust provides services to the 440,000 residents of Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre and North Lancashire, as well as specialist tertiary care for Cardiac and Haematology patients.

As one of the United Kingdom's largest coastal resort, Blackpool has plenty to offer its residents -it's not just a good place to work; it's a great place to live. In addition to its bustling centre and historic seafront, the town is world famous for its many attractions, including the famous Blackpool Tower. Blackpool also offers a number of scenic cycling routes round our local parks and across the surrounding countryside, as well as boasting panoramic views of the coast on its picturesque Promenade. Further afield, Blackpool also benefits from less than three-hour connections via rail to Edinburgh in the north and London in the south.

Details

Date posted

12 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

382-SACT11-26

Job locations

Blackpool Victoria

Ophthalmic Surgical Unit

Blackpool

FY3 8NR


Job description

Job responsibilities

To assist all members of the multi-disciplinary team to meet individual patient needs, maintaining a safe environment, delivering high standards of care within the Ophthalmic Surgical Unit. Participate in the delivery of planned care, applying and evaluating advanced clinical skills as delegated by a registered nurse. Preparing a patient for theatre, initiating the WHO process and administering anaesthetic eye drops prior to the procedure. To work collaboratively and co-operatively with others to meet the needs of the patients and their families

Job description

Job responsibilities

To assist all members of the multi-disciplinary team to meet individual patient needs, maintaining a safe environment, delivering high standards of care within the Ophthalmic Surgical Unit. Participate in the delivery of planned care, applying and evaluating advanced clinical skills as delegated by a registered nurse. Preparing a patient for theatre, initiating the WHO process and administering anaesthetic eye drops prior to the procedure. To work collaboratively and co-operatively with others to meet the needs of the patients and their families

Person Specification

Education and Qualification

Essential

  • Working towards NVQ level 3

Desirable

  • Cannulation competence

Experience and knowledge

Essential

  • Experience as a Health Care Assistant

Desirable

  • Experience of Wound Care
  • Care Certificate

skills and ability

Essential

  • Basic I.T skills
  • Ability to communicate in a variety of settings with patients of varying levels of understanding.
  • Ability to present information and refer questions to others where appropriate.

Desirable

  • Experience using Maxims PAS
  • Ability to use own initiative and ability to prioirtise
Person Specification

Education and Qualification

Essential

  • Working towards NVQ level 3

Desirable

  • Cannulation competence

Experience and knowledge

Essential

  • Experience as a Health Care Assistant

Desirable

  • Experience of Wound Care
  • Care Certificate

skills and ability

Essential

  • Basic I.T skills
  • Ability to communicate in a variety of settings with patients of varying levels of understanding.
  • Ability to present information and refer questions to others where appropriate.

Desirable

  • Experience using Maxims PAS
  • Ability to use own initiative and ability to prioirtise

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

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Blackpool Victoria

Ophthalmic Surgical Unit

Blackpool

FY3 8NR


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Blackpool Victoria

Ophthalmic Surgical Unit

Blackpool

FY3 8NR


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Unit manager

Nicky Kirby

nicola.kirby@nhs.net

01253953131

Details

Date posted

12 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

382-SACT11-26

Job locations

Blackpool Victoria

Ophthalmic Surgical Unit

Blackpool

FY3 8NR


Supporting documents

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