County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Assistant Practitioner

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

We are looking for an enthusiatic assistant practitioner at band 4 to work in the pre-asessessment ophthalmology clinic at Bishop Aukland Hospital.

The sucessful candidate must have experience of in ophthalmogy, possess excellent skills, a high sence of professionalism and a strong belief in the value of team work. You will help formulate and carry out effective care for our patients in the pre-asessment clinic and ensure it is delvered to the highest possible level whislt supporting the junior staff in their roles.

The post is Monday to Fridayand no working of bank holidays. There maybe occasionswhere you may have to work a Saturday to supposrt a waiting list iniative clinic.

Main duties of the job

The main duties will include pre-assessing patients for ophthalmic surgery. This includes ctatract surgery, glaucoma and occular plastic surgery along with vitreo retinal surgery. The skills for this will be taight. For example biometry for catract surgery. The successful candidate will also be shown how to enter all the patient details and information onto EPR. This job will be based at the ophthalmology departmentat at Bishop Aukland Hospital and you will be part of a team of nurses led by a nurse specialist. The ophthalmology experience is essential as you will at times have to work as member of the wider team doing ophthalmology skills such as visions or working in the injection room

About us

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.

Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have been employed for a minimum of two years of as a HCA within the NHS for the Trust to consider sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and have a current visa expiring within 3 months).

Details

Date posted

10 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum / pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9439-2526-1014

Job locations

Bishop Auckland General Hospital

Cockton Hill Road

Bishop Auckland

County Durham

DL14 6AD


Job description

Job responsibilities

We are responsible for providing a specialist ophthalmic service for the popul;ation of County Durham and Darlington. The ophthalmology deartment works across two sites currently Darlington Memorial and Bishop Aukland Hospital.

We are looking for an assisstant practitioner at Band 4 to work in the pre-assessment clinic at Bishop Auckland Hospital.

Ideally the sucessful candidate will have ophthalmic experience and can do most skills and will be trained by our specialist nurse in the pre-assessment skills, which include biometry for catract patients.

You will be working with a small team of pre-asessment nurses and all clinics are booked for face to face or telephone assessments. At times you may also have to assess emergency patients who arrive from clinic appointments.

All patients who attend the Bishop pre-asessment clinic are for local anaeaathetic.

There may be times that you have to help in the main clinic which is where previous experience would be helpful.

The post is Monday to Friday.

Job description

Job responsibilities

We are responsible for providing a specialist ophthalmic service for the popul;ation of County Durham and Darlington. The ophthalmology deartment works across two sites currently Darlington Memorial and Bishop Aukland Hospital.

We are looking for an assisstant practitioner at Band 4 to work in the pre-assessment clinic at Bishop Auckland Hospital.

Ideally the sucessful candidate will have ophthalmic experience and can do most skills and will be trained by our specialist nurse in the pre-assessment skills, which include biometry for catract patients.

You will be working with a small team of pre-asessment nurses and all clinics are booked for face to face or telephone assessments. At times you may also have to assess emergency patients who arrive from clinic appointments.

All patients who attend the Bishop pre-asessment clinic are for local anaeaathetic.

There may be times that you have to help in the main clinic which is where previous experience would be helpful.

The post is Monday to Friday.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Foundation degree
  • NVQ LEVEL 3
  • Good general education including maths and english

Experience

Essential

  • Have worked in ophthalmology

Desirable

  • Have worked in an outpatient department

Special Skills & Knowledge

Essential

  • Opthalmology skills such as visual acuity
  • Good communicator
  • A flexible appraoch to duties
  • Works well as aprt of ateam
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Foundation degree
  • NVQ LEVEL 3
  • Good general education including maths and english

Experience

Essential

  • Have worked in ophthalmology

Desirable

  • Have worked in an outpatient department

Special Skills & Knowledge

Essential

  • Opthalmology skills such as visual acuity
  • Good communicator
  • A flexible appraoch to duties
  • Works well as aprt of ateam

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.

Employer details

Employer name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bishop Auckland General Hospital

Cockton Hill Road

Bishop Auckland

County Durham

DL14 6AD


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bishop Auckland General Hospital

Cockton Hill Road

Bishop Auckland

County Durham

DL14 6AD


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Junior Sister

Rebecca Pedelty

rebecca.pedelty@nhs.net

01325743062

Details

Date posted

10 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum / pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9439-2526-1014

Job locations

Bishop Auckland General Hospital

Cockton Hill Road

Bishop Auckland

County Durham

DL14 6AD


Supporting documents

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