Ophthalmic Technician

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Head of Clinical Services

RESPONSIBLE TO: Operations Director

Key Relationships : Chairman/Medical Director, Chief Executive Officer, Customers/patients, relatives, Company staff, Purchasers, Contractors, Insurance companies, National Health staff.

Salary: TBC

The Company

Centre for Sight is a private healthcare group specialising in ophthalmology. With our main centre based in East Grinstead, and two further smaller facilities in Oxshott, Surrey and Queen Anne Street, London we pride ourselves as a centre of excellence, working with some of the most highly respected Ophthalmic Consultants in the industry. We are renowned for our corneal expertise and laser eye clinic, with patients referred to us nationally and internationally.

Centre for Sight is currently rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and considered ‘Outstanding’ regarding the leadership of the organisation. We also have ‘Silver Standard’ in our Investors in People status and are ISO accredited, making Centre for Sight a welcoming and engaging place to work for our clinical and administrative teams.

ROLE SUMMARY:

The post holder will work as a valued member of the multi-disciplinary clinical team providing outstanding patient care for patients undergoing vision correction surgery. You will directly contribute to the safe and efficient running of the service, including the admission area and outpatients clinics. You will learn to undertake all duties in each aspect of the patient’s journey, to successfully participate in delivering a high standard of care, privacy and dignity.

The role consists of both clinical and non-clinical duties, as well as the opportunity to undertake vocational qualifications and further training. The business has grown and continues to grow under a 'family’ environment within the head office based in East Grinstead.

CORE DUTIES

· To be able to work as part of a team across three locations when required, East Grinstead, Queen Anne Street in London and Oxshott, Surrey.

· To undertake clinical, ancillary and diagnostic duties as delegated by the practicing consultant ophthalmologist(s).

· To keep patients informed of all tests and procedures to be undertaken explaining timescales and ‘what to expect’ next.

· Assist the Medical Director and consultant ophthalmologists in Outpatients clinics and Refractive and Corneal Surgical lists. Developing a thorough understanding of refractive surgery and assisting with the pre- and post-operative care.

· Raising the profile of Centre for sight to reflect its key position as a provider of high quality clinical and customer services and a Market Leader for its services.

· Ensure adherence to patient care pathways.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Consultation Sessions:

· Maintaining a smooth, patient flow from diagnostic and testing, to visiting the Consultant.

· Performing patient data collection and testing to include:

a) History – presenting complaint or reason for visit

b) Documentation of Past Ocular and Medical History

c) Documentation of current medications, ophthalmic and other.

d) Visual Acuity, without and with correction including pinhole where appropriate

e) Near visual acuity at 14 inches with and without correction

f) Auto refraction and Keratometry

g) Lensometer

h) Pupil size determination

i) Contrast Sensitivity

j) Corneal Topography

k) Orbscan Tomography

l) Zywave wavefront evaluation

m) Tonometry using the Tonopen

n) Pachymetry

o) IOL calculations using the IOL master and A Scan

p) Schirmer’s Test

q) Specular Microscopy

r) Ocular Coherence Tomography

s) Ocular Response Analysis (Hysteresis)

· Participation in patient care to include:

a) Changing eye dressings

b) Instilling drops

c) Administering oral medications – counterchecked by a registered nurse or medical doctor

d) Removing and instilling contact lenses

e) Assisting the doctor in minor surgery

f) Entering all pertinent information from the ophthalmic testing in the patient record

g) Processing prescriptions generated by the ophthalmologist via the electronic patient record

h) Acquainting all new patients with various office procedures to which they will be exposed.

i) Informing the patient of the purpose of all tests and explaining the instrumentation and process in lay language before, during and after what has occurred.

Treatment Sessions:

· Understand the safe use of the lasers (Yag /Excimer Femtosecond) according to the Laser Protection Policy.

· Data entry (demographic and refractive) into laser software for verification by the ophthalmologist.

· Perform calibration tests of the lasers and report results to the operating Ophthalmologist.

· Monitor and record environmental conditions in the laser room and report variances from the manufacturer’s requirements to the ophthalmologist.

· Record and report faults and issues with technology

· Assembly and testing of surgical instrumentation used in the facility.

· Assists the surgeon during refractive and other procedures.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION:

· The individual will hold a minimum 1 years’ experience having worked as an Ophthalmic Technician.

· They will be able to demonstrate their competency to perform the range of clinical duties listed above (or demonstrate a willingness/competency to learn) and provide evidence of any relevant previous training or qualification.

· Ability to work in a high pressure environment.

GENERAL

· Work with colleagues in a collaborative way to optimise use of resources and improve the performance of the department.

· Ensure that information relevant to the job is shared / passed on to colleagues promptly as appropriate.

· Ensuring each examination and treatment room is properly prepared and stocked at all times.

· Ensuring the upkeep and preparation of ophthalmic equipment including but not limited to cleaning of examination lenses, mirrors and prisms, replacing burn out bulbs, keeping chin pad paper fresh or clean, and sterilising all instrumentation as necessary.

· Follow Centre for Sight policy for ordering and maintaining inventory of all disposable items (surgical and medications) required in both the clinic and operating/laser theatre.

· Develop effective working relationships and assist in facilitating effective communication pathways with all colleagues.

· Provide cover for colleagues as requested.

· Wear Company identification at all times.

· To act in accordance with all company policies and procedures at all times.

· To comply with all legal requirements including Data Protection, Software Licensing Acts and IM&T Security Standards.

· Undertake any other duties appropriate to the post.

If you have what it takes to join the current Ophthalmic Team please send your cv and contact details to Janina at