Ophthalmic Technician | Bolton NHS Foundation Trust

Full time 37.5 hours per week. Permanent post. We are looking for applicants who are forward thinking, enthusiastic and motivated with a passion for Ophthalmology. The successful applicant will work in a busy environment on H2 and community settings. They will work closely with their colleagues and clinicians providing excellent patient-centred care using Ophthalmic Diagnostic Photography equipment. The applicant will be expected to travel to and from community and hospital sites.

The post holder will work as a member of the ophthalmic technician team, supporting trained staff in all specified aspects of care and providing technical support using a range of ophthalmic equipment. Responsibilities include:

• Providing cross cover into other services including laser, AMD, ward and theatre based services.
• Providing technical assistance to a range of ophthalmic clinics including but not limited to glaucoma and retinal virtual model clinics, through operating a range of medical devices underpinned by comprehensive competency standards and compliance with specific clinical guidelines.
• Working closely with patients ensuring high quality assessments are undertaken, ensuring Trust values and patients' rights to private and dignified assessment are observed in a risk managed working environment.
• Liaising closely with optometry, orthoptists, ophthalmologists, nursing, medical illustration, other professional and clerical staff, patients, their relatives and carers.
• Working in various sites which deliver ophthalmic technical services.

Bolton Foundation Trust aims to ensure the wellbeing and development of all our staff team and is committed to the continuous improvement of staff engagement initiatives. This is reflected in the NHS staff survey results where, for the fourth consecutive year, the Trust obtained the highest scores in Greater Manchester for the theme of Staff Engagement. As an organisation, we are committed to placing the patient at the heart of everything we do and in the provision of safe, effective patient care that acknowledges and ensures dignity. With this in mind, we are seeking to recruit staff who share the organisation’s values and beliefs. The department has an excellent recruitment and retention rate, which reinforces the supportive team approach to our staff. Bolton itself is a culturally diverse university town within easy motorway access of Manchester and surrounding areas.

VOICE values We will expect your values and behaviours to reflect the values of Bolton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS TRAINING

• Relevant NVQ level 3 or equivalent experience in area of ophthalmology.
• Ability to demonstrate competency in ophthalmic clinical technical skills.
• Experience of working within ophthalmic technical roles.
• GCSE in Maths and English, or equivalent levels.

OPHTHALMIC CLINICAL TECHNICAL SKILLS

• History taking and documentation using specific pro-formas.
• Visual acuity testing using LogMAR and Snellen’s/COMPLOG focimetry.
• Visual field testing using Humphrey field analysers.
• Using the OCT to capture optic discs, macula, corneal thickness and anterior angles.
• Photography using Kowa and Optos equipment.
• Auto refraction.
• Calibration of equipment.
• I-Care tonometry ultrasonic pachymetry.

OTHER CLINICAL SKILLS

• Knowledge and training regarding eye drop compliance aids - ability to educate and teach patients in drop techniques.
• Ability to follow departmental protocols including escalation policies to mitigate patients' clinical risk.
• Able to work on own initiative and within the boundaries of the role.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Driven to achieve a high quality standard of care and motivated to learn new skills.
• The ability to work within a multidisciplinary team, undertake own workload, manage time and cope with the pressures of a busy out-patient department.
• The ability to communicate effectively with staff & patients, including patients with learning/communication difficulties and deal with sensitive/unpleasant situations.
• Show a caring & sensitive approach to dealing with patients.
• An ability to ensure accuracy, clinical precision & provide attention to detail, filing test results appropriately.
• Ability to demonstrate reliability and commitment to the service and your team.
• Understand & accept the need to maintain confidentiality.