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Main area Ophthalmic Imaging Technician Grade Band 4 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday; 08-18:00; with occasional Weekend cover.) Job ref 279-7110042-MAY25
Employer 279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Sussex Eye Hospital Town Brighton Salary £26,530 - £29,114 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 25/05/2025 23:59 Interview date 22/06/2025
About our Trust
At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute Trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.
Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to always put our Patient First. In fact our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Job overview
We have an opportunity to join us as part of the ophthalmic team, delivering an unsupervised, high-quality technical and specialist service across multiple sites (Brighton, Haywards Heath and Hove).
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will perform visual assessments including visual acuity, visual fields, optical coherence tomography (OCT), Corneal topography, Specular microscopy, Retinal imaging, measurement of intraocular pressure, and other technical measurements, which provide information for clinical decisions/treatments of eye and neurological conditions.
At times, the postholder may be asked for their advice by medical staff and patients on the results achieved for each of these tests.
This job description is an outline of the role and responsibilities. From time to time due to the needs of the service, we may ask you to flexibly undertake other duties that are consistent with your role and banding, including project work, internal job rotation and absence cover.
The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the department and the organisation.
**For further details, please see the attached Job Description**
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Communication
Coworkers in all other departments in Sussex Eye Hospital, Princess Royal Hospital and Hove Polyclinic. Consultant and medical Staff, Clinical Nurse specialists, orthoptists, opticians, retinal screeners, photographers, multidisciplinary team. i.e., medical social worker, eye clinic liaison officer, discharge teams, c lerical staff, etc
To ensure effective communication within the team, including team briefing and departmental meetings
Service Delivery and Improvement
Ability to work as part of a team
Able to identify and discuss when care needs of patients exceed their own knowledge, skills and ability.
Ability to work alone but supervised/managed by imaging team leader as required
Reports to the imaging team leader.
Contributes and actively participates in the correct reporting and handling of incidents and accidents
Reports when care is compromised by shortage of staff or when they can no longer manage the patient themselves as a change in patients' condition or dependency.
Ability to prioritise care for patients and delegate to co-workers as necessary
Ability to provide supervision to junior team members, Healthcare Assistants and learners
Works closely with all members of the care team to ensure the needs of the patient are met
Aware of department and team dynamics, staffing level issues and ward stock control and budgetary constraints
Identifies incidences of concern to patients and deals effectively with the consequences, completing appropriate documentation
Ensures that the department environment is safe and promptly report any issues of concern
Provide clinical dat a advice where required within the organisation to affect change or progress decisions and agreements.
Provide accurate and timely clinical information to support all aspects of the quality agenda, including audits and evaluation of own work
Provide subject matter expertise relating to patient data
Attends and contributes at departmental meetings and teaching sessions
Carry out any other duties commensurate with the role and delegated or requested by the manager or supervisor, as the needs of the service require.
At no time should clinical staff work outside their defined level of competence. If the postholder has concerns regarding this, they should immediately discuss this with their Team leader, Manager, and/or Matron. The post holder has the responsibility to inform those supervising their duties if they are not competent to perform a duty.
Clinical
To undertake on the job training and a period of induction, to gain an understanding of the role and on completion of competencies carry out to a high level technical and diagnostic tests and scans on patients ensuring all results are accurate and reliable and performed within set parameters.
To provide a safe environment for patients within their clinical area using safe handling guidelines and risk assessment procedures.
To adhere to all infection control guidelines and policies with strict observance of hand washing and disinfection protocols.
To demonstrate manual handling skills that may be required to assist patients of all ages and abilities e.g., infirm patients or those in wheelchairs.
Providing clear and precise information and explanation to patients regarding the tests to be undertaken to gain verbal consent and patient cooperation, which is required to achieve the best possible result. Sometimes patients may have difficulty understanding instructions and it will be the post holder's responsibility to ensure that any concerns are addressed and clarified.
Monitor and support patients through the diagnostic tests procedures providing advice and instruction for patients to ensure accurate test results.
To learn to recognise and rectify artefacts during testing that might represent a barrier to accurate and meaningful results.
The post holder will assess visual acuity in patients as appropriate, using logMAR, Snellen and other relevant acuity tests and record results accurately and clearly in patient’s paper and electronic records.
To accurately perform Optical Coherence Tomography, Topography, Specular Microscopy, Visual Field test and retinal imaging
To demonstrate necessary health and safety awareness as these tests are carried out within a dark environment.
To accurately input relevant information gained from the patient's notes, set up each test and observe the patient.
To prioritise workload allowing for the smooth running of clinics whilst delivering a high-quality service.
To administer the appropriate dilatation drugs by the correct method within their scope of work as authorised by the Trust.
Undertake a range of ophthalmic diagnostic imaging to a high level of competence. Learn to recognise common performance errors in the imaging and how to remedy these. The test will be always supervised by the post holder while being undertaken and re-started if the results are found to contain errors.
To assess and evaluate special needs of individual patients and tailor positioning and procedures to their clinical needs, which involve overcoming barriers to understanding.
To anticipate where patient communication difficulties might make completion of the pre-examination checklist impossible and to implement alternative methods to ensure patient safety is always maintained .
To communicate effectively and empathetically with patients, paying particular attention to patients' anxieties.
Have an understanding of a range of common ophthalmic conditions to understand which imaging modality is usual for these conditions and allow fact checking if another test is requested
To determine the prescription of patients’ spectacles using a manual focimeter and to assess the correct lens to be used for accurate visual field assessments and other tests as requires.
To perform automated visual fields assessments for patients with the Humphrey field analyser.
Work closely with colleagues to provide virtual clinics for relevant conditions. Be the main point of contact for patients during these clinics and make a judgement if the patient is unsuitable for such a clinic in future. In addition to imaging, undertake and record patient interview including taking a short ophthalmic history, visual acuity testing and instillation of drops where required. Explain the possible outcomes to patients and be able to respond to questions and queries or escalate these as appropriate .
Assisting other ophthalmic imagers and clinical photographers in the department and on location.
To undertake image management including accurate saving and any appropriate electronic image editing. Ensure accurate documentation of imaging requests using medical notes and electronic patient and imaging databases
To be involved in research activities, to undertake OCT to set protocols for current research trails undertaken within Ophthalmology. This will involve specific training regarding each study, certification from the associated reading centre and a requirement to be up to date with GCP training.
To act as a point of advice for patient enquires regarding their referral/ appointment, for and Liaison Service (PALS), Interpretation Services and hospital Transport.
Liaise with teams which are external to ophthalmic imaging e.g. ward, clinics, hotel services and facilities.
People Management and Development
Participate in the Trust appraisal process and work towards meeting identified development needs
Promote the development of an acceptable learning environment within the department
Participate in team/department developmental strategies and assists in the positive promotion of team building
Demonstrates a positive attitude to the supervision of learners advising the team leader of a ny difficulties as appropriate
Supports and contributes to any department-based teaching programmes
Assesses the learning needs of patients and carers
Patient Care Delivery
H ave both a general responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their daily duties and for ensuring that they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role
Have a personal obligation to act to reduce H e althcare Associated Infections (HCAIs) and must attend mandatory training in infection prevention and control. Post holders must comply with the trust's Infection Control Policies as they apply to their duties, including the hand decontamination policy, dress code and personal protective equipment policy.
Learning and Development
Attend mandatory training updates as required.
Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales.
Identify own learning needs and jointly plan training requirements with your line manager
Participate in the Trust’s appraisal process to discuss how your role will help deliver the best possible care to our patients and help to deliver any changes in service.
Person specification
Person Specification
* Qualified to at least ONC level (or equivalent experience); GCSE passes including English and Maths at Grade C or above (literacy and numeracy).
* Sound knowledge of digital imaging and associated IT skills
* Understands the need to attend mandatory training as part of own personal development.
* Expected to undertake the appropriate continuing professional development required.
* Experience working in a busy outpatient department preferably within an acute setting.
* Excellent customer service skills and the ability to relate to and deal with a wide range of people including patients (some of which could be visually impaired), clinicians, nursing and administrative
* To have a sympathetic and professional attitude towards patients. Be caring and motivated to do the best for every patient
* Ability to work accurately, calmly and confidently at all times particularly when under pressure. Communicate effectively with patients, medical staff and the general public.
* To be aware of, and comply, with all standards of conduct, dress codes and patient care that relate to imaging and act within the approved guidelines of the trust.
* Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
* Prepared to work across sites as an autonomous practitioner.
* Dexterity, hand eye coordination and fine adjustment used to control equipment.
* Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
* Works without direct supervision but with access to a supervisor
* Demonstrate a commitment to achieving high quality standards of work
* Enthusiastic and keen to get involved in service development and change
* Current GCP training.
* Certification with OIA, IMI & AHCS
* Interpretation Certification
* Knowledge of Electronic Patient Record, Electronic Document Management, and other hospital related IT systems
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
* Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
* Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.
Important information for applicants:
Please note, the use of AI generated applications will be closely monitored. It is at the managers discretion to reject your application if they feel the majority has been created through the use of AI tools.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications
Further Information
For help with the application process for Nursing vacancies, please email uhsussex.nursingteam@nhs.net.
For help with the application process for Non-Nursing vacancies, please email uhsussex.nonnursingteam@nhs.net.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Name Maria Kazmaly Job title Ophthalmic Imaging Team Leader Email address maria.kazmaly@nhs.net Telephone number 07768460082 Additional information
Please contact Maria if you need any information.
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