At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist in ophthalmic surgeries and patient care, ensuring smooth operations and minimal waiting times.
- Company: Join ACES, a pioneering provider of NHS eye care, transforming cataract surgery delivery.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, no night shifts, 29 days leave, and free eye treatments.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on patients' lives while working in a modern, supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Previous healthcare experience, excellent communication skills, and a valid UK driving licence required.
- Other info: Ongoing training and development opportunities available in a global organisation.
The predicted salary is between 20400 - 28600 £ per year.
Location: Sheffield Meadowhall
Hours: 40 hours per week
Salary: £25,400 per annum
Make sure to apply quickly in order to maximise your chances of being considered for an interview.
Please note travel will be involved within this role to different clinics, expenses are covered by ACES.
ACES is a pioneering independent provider of NHS ophthalmic care in the community and one of the first centres nationally to take innovative fast track cataract surgery out of a hospital setting. Delivering the highest standard of clinical eye care with expert consultant ophthalmologists putting patient care at the heart of everything we do.
With NHS waiting lists for cataracts surgery growing at an alarming rate, ACES offer patients an alternative option, providing them with life changing cataract surgery in as little as four weeks. We are enormously proud to be able to provide our patients with immediate care and support the NHS.
We’ve been providing NHS eye care in the East of England since 2007 and will be expanding this year across the UK. We provide a range of services including: cataract surgery, YAG laser treatment, glaucoma treatment, oculoplastics and general ophthalmology.
With patient care our priority, ACES are committed to providing exceptional and timely community emergency and routine ophthalmology outpatient services. With the latest in ophthalmic technology, we are able to consistently provide excellent clinical outcomes for all of our patients, giving them their best possible quality of life.
The main objectives of our services are to:
- Reduce waiting times for patients with eye conditions.
- Deliver exceptional care without the requirement for a hospital stay.
- Have a positive impact on patients’ lives.
- Provide care closer to home for the patient in line with DoH guidelines.
- Reduce overall waiting times in the health economy.
- Create additional capacity in secondary care.
- Aim to provide a fast and efficient patient focused pathway in collaboration with patient representatives and primary care professionals.
- Use new technologies and the latest equipment, maintain the highest levels of care at the cutting edge of ophthalmology.
Currently, tens of thousands of patients across the United Kingdom are on NHS waiting lists for essential eye care procedures, such as cataract surgery. The longer these patients go without surgery, the more likely it is that their eyesight will further deteriorate, or that they will experience an adverse event due to their poor vision.
At ACES, our mission is to ensure all patients are given a choice when it comes to their eye care. Obtaining access to ACES allows patients to have treatment quicker and allows them to live their lives to the fullest immediately.
Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:
Following appropriate training, supervised practice and competency achievement assessments, you will be able to undertake the role of Healthcare Assistant (HCA) within the surgery team in ophthalmic (IOL) theatres. You will also be responsible for the following:
- Pre-operative testing; conducting tests prior to examination and treatment and assisting during the consent appointment process, including providing information to patients prior to their Cataract procedure.
- Patient discharging; instructing the patient pre and post procedure on the care of the eyes, updating medical records, making follow up appointments.
- Co-ordinating: Controlling patient flow on the day of the consent appointment and surgery appointments to ensure minimum waiting times for patients and managing queries.
- Assisting the surgeon during consent appointments and treatments – acting as scrub assistant, taking notes for the surgeon; instilling eye drops.
- Undertaking the role of HCA in IOL theatre to assist the surgical team and patients during surgery and associated tasks such as decontamination of instruments.
- Actively participating in the end of treatment day activities; updating patient files, filing, compiling ‘end of day’ reports for head office, cleaning the department, stock and lens ordering.
- Reporting untoward incidents – taking an active role in patient safety issues and quality and risk management.
Essential Skills:
- Previous experience within optical or healthcare environment.
- Exceptional communication and presentation skills.
- Ability to absorb and convey highly technical information.
- Adaptable with a flexible approach to work.
- Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritise tasks.
- A confident and professional individual who has fantastic organisational skills.
- Professional telephone manner.
- Demonstrate confidentiality, integrity and discretion.
- A valid UK driving licence and own car is essential.
- Flexibility to travel to other clinics when required.
What’s in it for you?
- An industry leading salary.
- No nightshift and No on-call.
- State of the art, modern working environment.
- 29 days’ annual leave per year.
- Free Laser Eye Surgery and Intraocular Lens Surgery.
- Free eye tests.
- Discounted prescription eyewear and sunglasses.
- Generous Optical Express friends and family discount scheme.
- Ongoing training and development opportunities.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a global organisation where you will have the opportunity to grow and develop within a professional working environment.
ACES is an equal opportunities employer.
Healthcare Assistant employer: ACES
Contact Detail:
ACES Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Healthcare Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific responsibilities of a Healthcare Assistant in an ophthalmic setting. Understanding the nuances of pre-operative testing and patient care will help you stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any previous experience in healthcare or optical environments when networking. Connect with professionals in the field through platforms like LinkedIn to gain insights and potentially get referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for potential interview questions by practising how you would handle patient queries and manage time effectively in a busy clinic environment. This will demonstrate your readiness for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Show your enthusiasm for patient care and the innovative services ACES provides. Research their mission and values, and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their goals during the interview.
We think you need these skills to ace Healthcare Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in healthcare or optical environments. Emphasise any roles where you demonstrated exceptional communication skills and adaptability, as these are key for the Healthcare Assistant position.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that specifically addresses the responsibilities and skills mentioned in the job description. Explain why you're passionate about patient care and how your background makes you a great fit for ACES.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, clearly outline your time management abilities and organisational skills. Mention any experience with patient care, especially in pre-operative or post-operative settings, to show you understand the role's demands.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial in a healthcare setting.
How to prepare for a job interview at ACES
✨Research ACES and Their Services
Before the interview, take some time to understand ACES's mission and the services they provide. Familiarise yourself with their approach to cataract surgery and patient care. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and align your answers with their values.
✨Highlight Relevant Experience
Make sure to discuss any previous experience you have in healthcare or optical environments. Be prepared to give specific examples of how your skills and experiences make you a suitable candidate for the Healthcare Assistant position, especially in relation to patient care and communication.
✨Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills
As a Healthcare Assistant, you'll need to communicate effectively with patients and the surgical team. During the interview, showcase your ability to convey complex information clearly and your experience in handling patient queries. This will highlight your suitability for the role.
✨Prepare Questions for the Interviewers
At the end of the interview, you’ll likely be asked if you have any questions. Prepare thoughtful questions about the role, team dynamics, or training opportunities. This shows your enthusiasm for the position and helps you assess if ACES is the right fit for you.