County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Diabetic Eye Screener (Band 3) for the Diabetic Eye Screening Programme. The closing date is 25 September 2025. The NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Programme aims to reduce the risk of sight loss among people with diabetes through the early detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy. Screening using digital photography is offered to all eligible people with diabetes from the age of 12 years who reside in County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust.
In addition to digital photography using a fundus camera, the postholder will be required to use Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scanners to identify referable maculopathy. Full training will be given.
The postholder will be the first contact for patients attending the screening service and will be expected to support service users through the screening process and to ensure they are fully informed as to the expectations/limitations of screening. The programme has 9 venues across County Durham and Darlington. There will be a Health Screeners Diploma in Diabetic Eye Screening, which must be successfully completed within one year of commencement to the post.
Main duties of the job
* Demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills and understand the importance of timely communication.
* Establish and maintain working relationships within a multi-disciplinary team.
* Work effectively within a team and with minimal supervision as part of the multi-disciplinary team.
* Demonstrate empathy, sensitivity and compassion towards patients, putting patients at the centre of our thinking.
* Show good organisational, time management and problem-solving skills.
* Identify, report and seek advice in a situation of risk.
* Access computerised records to retrieve personal information and contribute to clear, concise patient records and documentation adhering to national standards and Trust policies.
* Contribute to a safe and clean working environment and ensure the clinical area is prepared and maintained in line with Trust Infection Prevention and Health and Safety Policies.
* Install equipment and set up allocated room(s), using identified protocols and the operational procedures of the service and screening locations.
About us
We provide hospital services from two acute sites (Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham) and have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland. Care is provided from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale, as well as over 80 other community settings and patient 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.
From April 9 2025, Healthcare Assistants must have a minimum of two years’ NHS experience for Trust sponsorship consideration (sponsorship considered only if criteria are met and a current visa expires within 3 months).
Job responsibilities
* Obtain a brief clinical history, measure and record visual acuities, and instill eye drops according to protocol; report any changes in the patient’s condition to a senior member of staff.
* Operate with own initiative, supported by supervisors and peers to maintain a continuous flow of patients through the screening pathway.
* Monitor own time management to ensure all duties are carried out.
* Capture and review retinal images using specialised fundus photography and, where appropriate, alert grading staff for urgent assessment.
* After appropriate training and competency sign-off, operate Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) 3D retinal scanner.
* Triages images and place in the appropriate grading queue using the Traffic Light Grading Queue.
* Monitor clinical and consumable stock levels daily and place orders when required.
* Proactively seek and maintain up-to-date information and training to ensure skills are sustained to a high standard.
* Participate in External Quality Assurance and simple clinical audits.
* Act in a manner which demonstrates respect for privacy, dignity, equality, diversity and confidentiality, and provide excellent customer care.
* Maintain personal and professional development to meet changing role demands and participate in training activities; undertake mandatory training in line with Trust policy.
* Communicate effectively with colleagues to ensure the smooth running of the Retinal Screening clinic and develop good relationships at all screening locations with other Trust staff involved in patient care.
* Provide advice to patients and carers where barriers to screening exist; work collaboratively with the wider team to ensure smooth delivery of the programme.
* Deal with sensitive and confidential information with empathy, tact and diplomacy; communicate with people from different cultural backgrounds.
* Attend departmental meetings and MDTs, providing feedback to the programme manager.
* Able to assist patients who may need help transferring to the camera chair.
* Demonstrate enhanced dexterity and accuracy in the use of diagnostic equipment (fundus camera / OCT) in direct patient examinations.
* Reassure patients about the screening process using tact, diplomacy and persuasion to ensure they are prepared for screening; encourage and reassure patients about the importance of screening.
* Undertake any other duties reasonable to the role.
Person Specification
Special Requirements
* Able to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post.
* Be able to change locations at very short notice and arrive punctually at required sites.
* In line with Trust seven-day working commitment, the post holder will be expected to work autonomously on occasional Saturdays and Sundays in lieu of weekdays.
Statutory Registration
* National Screening Diploma for Health Screeners in Diabetic Eye Screening, must successfully complete qualification in paid protected time within one year of appointment.
Special Skills and Knowledge
* Ability to manipulate technical equipment (digital fundus camera) and prepare patients for screening.
* Excellent communication skills as the first point of contact in the clinical environment.
* Ability to communicate where there may be barriers to understanding.
* Enhanced hand-eye coordination, sensory skills and dexterity for speed, accuracy and quality of photography.
* Knowledge of confidentiality and data protection.
* Ability to work on own initiative and under pressure while meeting deadlines and delivering high-quality work.
* Willingness to take and record patient information.
Experience
* Experience of communicating effectively in a calm, sensitive, reassuring and persuasive way.
* Experience of planning and organising using time-management skills.
* Experience with IT skills including Windows Excel and Microsoft software.
* Experience of working in a healthcare setting and with photography in a healthcare environment.
* Experience of working in a screening programme.
Qualifications
* GCSE English and Maths (grade 4 or above) or equivalent.
* NVQ Level 3 or equivalent, preferably in a care-related field.
* National Screening Diploma for Health Screeners in Diabetic Eye Screening, must successfully complete qualification in paid protected time within one year of appointment.
* Knowledge of Diabetes and knowledge of Diabetic Eye Disease; Ophthalmic experience is a plus.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a DBS disclosure will be sought to check for any previous convictions.
Employer name
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Salary: £24,937 to £26,598 per year, pro rata
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