Job summary
Healthcare Assistant
Ophthalmology
Band 2/3 £25,272 - £27,476 per annum, pro rata if part time
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week , 2 full time posts available, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working.
Ophthalmology services are based at Lloyds Court CDC, Central Milton Keynes. We are seeking two friendly, dynamic, hardworking Healthcare Assistants to join our Ophthalmology Nursing Team in a clinic based role, supporting patients of all ages and backgrounds. You will work as part of a multidisciplinary team to deliver high quality compassionate care.
If you do not have an NHS care certificate you would start at a band 2 and be supported within the first 6 months to achieve this at which time you will move to band 3.
Please note that we are not able to offer sponsorship for this role
Interview Date: 13 May 2026
Main duties of the job
Join #TeamSurgery at Milton Keynes University Hospital
The surgery division at MKUH, which covers specialties including theatres and the Intensive Care Unit, offers a variety of roles and opportunities, both clinical and non-clinical. The division are looking for passionate, enthusiastic and forward-thinking professionals to join the team.
MKUH is one of the leading hospitals in Europe for implementing robotics to assist in surgery, becoming the first in the continent to use the CMR Versius robot for gynaecological surgery. Since its introduction in 2019, the theatres team have completed over 500 surgical cases, the first hospital in the UK to reach this milestone, achieving this in March 2023.
As well as being an innovator in robotics, the Trust is proud to be part of the New Hospital Programme, with plans to expand and increase our surgical capacity to meet the health needs of our communities now and in the future.
With a leading benefits package, and a growing hospital estate to meet one of the fastest growing populations in the country, it is a great time to join MKUH.
Find out more about working in #TeamSurgery at MKUH from the people who work across the division in the video below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mYel-Y9nrU
About us
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.
As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.
We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.
Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards - and the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.
Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital -
For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes
Job description
Job responsibilities
'94% feel that their role makes a difference to patience and service users. 'NHS Staff Survey 2024
'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'
Undertake/assist patients with personal care duties as needed including, toileting, emptying catheter bags Ensure privacy and dignity is maintained.Assess patient condition and wellbeing through clinical observations and test results, looking for signs of agitation or distress, reporting any concerns with patient condition to a senior member of staff, in accordance with the departments escalation process.
Professional
To act at all times in a professional and courteous manner.To ensure compliance with mandatory training.
Please refer to the attached job description for further information
Job description
Job responsibilities
'94% feel that their role makes a difference to patience and service users. 'NHS Staff Survey 2024
'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'
Undertake/assist patients with personal care duties as needed including, toileting, emptying catheter bags Ensure privacy and dignity is maintained.Assess patient condition and wellbeing through clinical observations and test results, looking for signs of agitation or distress, reporting any concerns with patient condition to a senior member of staff, in accordance with the departments escalation process.
Professional
To act at all times in a professional and courteous manner.To ensure compliance with mandatory training.
Please refer to the attached job description for further information
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- GCSE level or Functional Skills in Maths & English or equivalent knowledge
- NVQ Level 3 or equivalent experience
- CARE Certificate
- Knowledge of personal care and activities of daily living
- Awareness of importance of infection prevention & control
- Understanding of the importance of safe working practices
- Understanding of the role of a Healthcare Assistant
Desirable
- Awareness of NHS policies
Experience
Essential
- Experience working in a care setting
- Experience of working in a team
Desirable
- Previous NHS experience
- Experience in supporting junior staff
- Previous experience of working within ophthalmology
- Working with people with sight loss
Skills
Essential
- Ability to demonstrate commitment to high standards of care
- Accurate record keeping
- Ability to work under pressure
- Ability to prioritise tasks effectively at short notice
- Caring in a professional manner towards patients and their relatives
- Good time management
- Ability to induct, support, assess and develop junior members of staff.
- Ability to undertake clinical /ophthalmic observations and tasks including phlebotomy
Desirable
- IT Skills
- Ophthalmic Skills
Personal and people development
Essential
- Commitment to Safeguarding
- Presents a professional appearance
- Ability to work within a team
- Self-motivated and enthusiastic
- Commitment to working in a caring environment with people of all ages
Communication
Essential
- Clear spoken and written English
- Able to show care, empathy and respect to patients and their families
- Able to communicate with team members, carrying out instructions and feeding back information
- Able to record care provided using MKUH documentation and complying with MKUH policies and guidelines
- Able to feedback to staff on safe and effective practice
Desirable
- Able to feedback on assessments undertaken
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- GCSE level or Functional Skills in Maths & English or equivalent knowledge
- NVQ Level 3 or equivalent experience
- CARE Certificate
- Knowledge of personal care and activities of daily living
- Awareness of importance of infection prevention & control
- Understanding of the importance of safe working practices
- Understanding of the role of a Healthcare Assistant
Desirable
- Awareness of NHS policies
Experience
Essential
- Experience working in a care setting
- Experience of working in a team
Desirable
- Previous NHS experience
- Experience in supporting junior staff
- Previous experience of working within ophthalmology
- Working with people with sight loss
Skills
Essential
- Ability to demonstrate commitment to high standards of care
- Accurate record keeping
- Ability to work under pressure
- Ability to prioritise tasks effectively at short notice
- Caring in a professional manner towards patients and their relatives
- Good time management
- Ability to induct, support, assess and develop junior members of staff.
- Ability to undertake clinical /ophthalmic observations and tasks including phlebotomy
Desirable
- IT Skills
- Ophthalmic Skills
Personal and people development
Essential
- Commitment to Safeguarding
- Presents a professional appearance
- Ability to work within a team
- Self-motivated and enthusiastic
- Commitment to working in a caring environment with people of all ages
Communication
Essential
- Clear spoken and written English
- Able to show care, empathy and respect to patients and their families
- Able to communicate with team members, carrying out instructions and feeding back information
- Able to record care provided using MKUH documentation and complying with MKUH policies and guidelines
- Able to feedback to staff on safe and effective practice
Desirable
- Able to feedback on assessments undertaken
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.
