Job overview
The Diabetic Eye Screener role involves managing screening clinics independently and requires a wide range of interpersonal and job specific skills. The post holder will be expected to travel to different locations throughout Sussex, the post holder will need a drivers licence and access to a vehicle for work. The post holder will be responsible for:
1. Explaining the test procedure to the people with diabetes and obtaining consent
2. Undertaking visual acuity checks
3. Instilling eye drops
4. Taking digital image
The Screener will provide general/specific care as identified below under the direct and indirect supervision of their trainer. They will be expected to become proficient and complete and maintain competencies relevant to the area of work.
The Screener will carry out daily practice in line with our Trust values
5. Communication
6. Kindness and Understanding
7. Fairness and Transparency
8. Working Together
9. Excellence
These are busy demanding clinics and the Screener is required to have a full driving licence and their own transport provided to travel throughout West and East Sussex to run clinics.
Main duties of the job
10. Responsible for informing admin staff and line manager of issues during clinics.
11. Liaises with IT helpdesk, software company and camera engineers as appropriate in the event of technical issues and records the outcomes and informs the Line Manager
12. Maintains confidentiality at all times in line with the Data Protection Act and Trust Information Governance guidance and policy
13. Provides and receives complex or sensitive information, relating to patient care, recognising barriers to understanding. Uses interpersonal skills to communicate condition related information clearly and concisely with colleagues, patients, carers and relatives, providing empathy and reassurance.
14. Reports all concerns, accidents and incidents relating to self, patients, staff or visitors in accordance with the Trust incident reporting system (Datix)
15. Participates effectively in the programme and team teaching sessions the rest of the DESP team.
16. Communicate effectively using Trust Information Technology systems (i.e.: Email, intranet, clinic list information, data collection systems)
17. Communicate with other healthcare professionals as necessary and ensures appropriate safeguarding of patients/staff
18. Works closely with staff in the department and also with staff from the Diabetes Unit and the Ophthalmology department attending feedback and training meetings as necessary
19. Responds appropriately to all telephone and personal enquiries in a sensitive and helpful manner
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 our Wellbeing 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.
Candidate Information Pack
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.
Communication
20. Responsible for informing admin staff and line manager of issues during clinics
21. Liaises with IT helpdesk, software company and camera engineers as appropriate in the event of technical issues and records the outcomes and informs the Line Manage
22. Maintains confidentiality at all times in line with the Data Protection Act and Trust Information Governance guidance and polic
23. Provides and receives complex or sensitive information, relating to patient care, recognising barriers to understanding. Uses interpersonal skills to communicate condition related information clearly and concisely with colleagues, patients, carers and relatives, providing empathy and reassurance
24. Reports all concerns, accidents and incidents relating to self, patients, staff or visitors in accordance with the Trust incident reporting system (Datix)
25. Participates effectively in the programme and team teaching sessions the rest of the DESP team
26. Communicate effectively using Trust Information Technology systems (i.e.: Email, intranet, clinic list information, data collection systems
27. Communicate with other healthcare professionals as necessary and ensures appropriate safeguarding of patients/staff
28. Works closely with staff in the department and also with staff from the Diabetes Unit and the Ophthalmology department attending feedback and training meetings as necessary
29. Responds appropriately to all telephone and personal enquiries in a sensitive and helpful manner
Patient Care Delivery
Clinical: Core Responsibilities
30. Ensures that patients are treated with courtesy at all times; their individual needs are respected, maintain patient privacy and dignity
31. Manages clinic preparation, ensuring all stock and equipment is available to use, prepares and tests equipment. To achieve this good time keeping essential
32. Organises and, prioritises own workload daily. Provides high quality patient care, appropriate to patient need. Is responsible for a group of patients with indirect supervision of line manager
33. Is responsible for seeing patients in a timely fashion and ensures delays in the running of the clinic are communicated to the admin team and patients
34. Carries responsibility for patients’ care within the clinic ensuring their safety and wellbeing such as responsibility for management of transport patients, following up safeguarding issues post clinic
35. Takes appropriate history and information from patients, and explains the procedure of screening to them, gaining their consent to screening and recording this information. Answering any questions that are required to help the consent process
36. Conducts an accurate visual acuity eye test and full pupil dilation by instillation of dilating eye drops, working to the appropriate local and national protocols.
37. Captures the appropriate images of the patients’ retinas. Obtaining best quality imaging possible
38. Takes a full history for patients with a reduced visual acuity, including last optometrist visit, past medical history to ensure best outcome for the patient.
39. Records notes which are necessary to assist in the success for the follow up visits, such as poor to dilate, wheelchair users, any mental or physical impairment which may require additional prior knowledge by the screener
40. Uses the time with the patients to increase their understanding and knowledge of diabetes and how it can affect the eyes, as appropriate
41. Makes a decision on the priority of images for grader assessment. Records these results.
Service Delivery and Improvement
Administrative
42. Responsible for ensuring the clinic admin work is completed. All clinics are accounted for, and that each clinic has an allocated screener. The individual workloads are adequately distributed amongst the team. To raise any issues regarding clinic admin to line manager
43. To provide failsafe admin role to ensure the patients are accounted for at the close of clinic and those who did not attend are followed u
44. Ensures in clinic that each patient’s status is up to date and they are in the correct pathway for follow u
45. Reports any changes to patient status or follow up to admin / line manager
46. Provides admin support to the admin team as requested by line manager
Audit and Research
47. Participates in research and clinical audits as appropriate, keeping up to date with changing practice
Organisation/Leadership
48. Adheres to Trust uniform policy.
49. Works effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team, recognising the contribution of all team members in meeting patients’ needs.
50. Collects data for audits and reports and input on electronic patient record systems/data collection systems.
51. In collaboration with the line manager, identify and implement changes within the role to support development and improvement.
52. Recognises own level of competence to ensure safe practice.
53. Uses supplies and equipment effectively and economically with an awareness of budgetary control. Maintains stock levels in clinics and asks administrator to order supplies when necessary.
54. Acts as a role model by upholding and implementing good practice in the workplace, ensuring the highest standards of care are delivered.
55. To undertake a link role, eg. fire trainer/warden, moving and handling, infection control, enhancing communication and collaborative working by attending meetings and keeping colleagues up-to-date (through face-to-face and written/electronic briefing)
People Management and Development
56. Assist and support team leaders in training new screeners
Learning and Development
57. Attend mandatory training updates as required.
58. Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with the line manager as part of the personal development process.
59. Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales.
60. Identify own learning needs and jointly plan training requirements with your line manager
61. 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.
62. Attendance where required and provision of funding available for DES specific updates, workshops and training eg BARS, NDESP day
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.
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
63. Diploma in Diabetic Eye Screening and Grading
64. Full driving licence and access to vehicle
Desirable criteria
65. Previous experience in diabetic eye screening/grading healthcare setting
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
66. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles
67. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
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