Job overview
This role is for an Ophthalmic Imaging Technician (Healthcare Scientist) who performs key diagnostic tests like OCT scans and visual field assessments at Sussex Eye Hospital and satellite clinic sites.
You will be a central point of contact for patients, explaining procedures and ensuring their comfort while working closely with a large multidisciplinary team, including consultants, nurses, and administrative staff. The position requires a strong focus on patient safety, effective communication, teamwork, and continuous contribution to service improvement.
An excellent opportunity for an existing colleague to develop into a technical role as a healthcare scientist.
Applications are welcome from internal staff who can demonstrate a commitment to ophthalmology and the required learning agility. This post may be advertised externally if no suitable internal candidate is identified.
Main duties of the job
To work as part of the ophthalmic team, delivering an unsupervised, high-quality technical and specialist service.
Performing 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.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. 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 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
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.
If you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.
Communication
1. Coworkers in all other departments in Sussex Eye Hospital, Princess Royal Hospital and Hove Polyclinic.
2. Ensure effective communication within the team, including team briefing and departmental meetings
Service Delivery and Improvement
3. Ability to work as part of a team or alone with indirect supervision
4. Able to identify and discuss when care needs of patients exceed their own knowledge, skills and ability.
5. Contributes and actively participates in the correct reporting and handling of incidents and accidents
6. Able to effectively assist and professionally manage emergencies.
7. Ability to prioritise care for patients and delegate to co-workers as necessary
8. Ability to provide supervision to junior team members, Healthcare Assistants and learners
9. Works closely with all members of the care team to ensure the needs of the patient are met
10. Aware of department and team dynamics, staffing level issues and ward stock control and budgetary constraints
11. Identifies incidences of concern to patients and deals effectively with the consequences, completing appropriate documentation
12. Ensures that the department environment is safe and promptly report any issues of concern
13. Provide clinical data advice where required within the organisation to affect change or progress decisions and agreements.
14. Provideaccurate and timely clinical information to support all aspects of the quality agenda, including audits and evaluation of own work
15. Participate in review/audit of practice, benchmarking process for nursing care
16. Attends and contributes at departmental meetings and teaching sessions
17. 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.
18. 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
19. 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.
20. To provide a safe environment for patients within their clinical area using safe handling guidelines and risk assessment procedures.
21. To adhere to all infection control guidelines and policies with strict observance of hand washing and disinfection protocols.
22. 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.
23. 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.
24. Monitor and support patients through the diagnostic tests procedures providing advice and instruction for patients to ensure accurate test results.
25. To learn to recognise and rectify artefacts during testing that might represent a barrier to accurate and meaningful results.
26. The post holder will assess visual acuity in patients as appropriate, using logMARand other relevant acuity tests and record results accurately and clearly in patient’s paper and electronic records.
27. To accurately perform Optical Coherence Tomography, Topography, Specular Microscopy, Visual Field tests as well ascolour and autofluorescence retinal photography
28. 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.
29. To demonstrate necessary health and safety awareness as these tests are carried out within a dark environment.
30. To accurately input relevant information gained from the patient's notes, set up each test and observe the patient.
31. To prioritise workload allowing for the smooth running of clinics whilst delivering a high-quality service.
32. To administer the appropriate dilatation drugs when no nursing support is present, by the correct method within their scope of work as authorised by the Trust.
33. To be aware of any contraindications to the above substances and the appropriate actions to take.
34. To assess and evaluate special needs of individual patients and tailor positioning and procedures to their clinical needs, which involve overcoming barriers to understanding.
35. 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.
36. To communicate effectively and empathetically with patients, paying particular attention to patients' anxieties.
37. 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
38. To determine the prescription of patients’ spectacles using a focimeter and to assess the correct lens to be used for accurate visual field assessments and other tests as required.
39. To perform automated visual fields assessments for patients with the Humphrey field analyser.
40. 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.
41. Assisting other ophthalmic imagers and clinical photographers in the department and on location.
42. 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
43. 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.
44. To act as a point of advice for patient enquires regarding their referral/ appointment, for and Liaison Service (PALS), Interpretation Services and hospital Transport.
45. Liaise with teams which are external to ophthalmic imaginge.g. ward, clinics, hotel services and facilities.
People Management and Development
46. Participate in the Trust appraisal process and work towards meeting identified development needs
47. Demonstrate on-going professional development
48. Promote the development of an acceptable learning environment within the department
49. Participate in team/department developmental strategies and assists in the positive promotion of team building
50. Demonstrates a positive attitude to the supervision of learners advising the team leader of any difficulties as appropriate
51. Supports and contributes to any department-based teaching programmes
52. Assesses the learning needs of patients and carers
Patient Care Delivery
53. Have 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
54. Have a personal obligation to act to reduce Healthcare 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
55. Attend mandatory training updates as required.
56. 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.
57. Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales.
58. Identify own learning needs and jointly plan training requirements with your line manager
59. 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.
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
Job Spec
Essential criteria
60. Educated to GCSE level (or equivalent) with passes at Grade C/4 or above in English and Mathematics, OR equivalent relevant work experience demonstrating these core skills.
61. Proven practical experience in performing a range of ophthalmic diagnostic tests and imaging procedures (e.g., OCT, Visual Fields, retinal photography).
62. Experience of working effectively in a busy, patient-facing clinical or outpatient environment.
63. Demonstrable digital/IT skills and the ability to quickly learn and work with specialist imaging software and patient record systems.
64. A clear, empathetic, and professional approach to patient care, with evidence of the ability to explain procedures clearly and reassure anxious patients.
65. Excellent manual dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and sustained concentration necessary for precise diagnostic imaging.
66. Ability to work accurately, methodically, and calmly under pressure, maintaining a high attention to detail.
67. Evidence of working effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team, and the ability to work autonomously without direct supervision when required.
68. Understanding of and commitment to maintaining professional standards, including adherence to codes of conduct, dress codes, and all mandatory training requirements.
69. Willingness and ability to work flexibly according to service needs, including working across different hospital sites as required.
Desirable criteria
70. Considerable hands-on experience with (Heidelberg) ophthalmic imaging systems or equivalent.
71. ubstantial experience working as an ophthalmic technician/imaging within the NHS or a similar public sector healthcare setting.
72. Current Good Clinical Practice (GCP) certification.
73. Demonstrable enthusiasm for service improvement, quality initiatives, and adapting positively to change.
74. Evidence of outstanding customer service skills and the ability to build rapport with a diverse range of people, including vulnerable or visually impaired patients and senior clinical staff.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Essential criteria
75. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
76. 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