At a Glance
- Tasks: Travel to clinics, take eye photos, and help protect patients' vision.
- Company: Join a caring team dedicated to eye health in Hertfordshire and West Essex.
- Benefits: Full training provided, competitive salary, and access to wellbeing initiatives.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and patient interaction.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while learning valuable skills.
- Qualifications: 5 GCSEs and a full UK driving licence required; no healthcare experience needed.
The predicted salary is between 25760 - 27476 £ per year.
Join Our Team & Help Protect People's Sight! The Diabetic Eye Screening Programme is growing, and we're looking for an enthusiastic, caring person to cover maternity leave & help deliver eye-screening across Herts & West Essex. Diabetes can affect eyesight, so spotting changes early directly helps people protect their vision.
What You'll Be Doing
You'll travel to different clinics taking photos and scans of patients' eyes using state of the art retinal cameras. The images you obtain will help us identify early signs of problems so people can get the support they need.
Where You'll Work
Our main hub is in St Albans, but we need to deliver screening at all our locations, including Harlow, Bishop's Stortford, Stansted, Saffron Walden, Watford, Elstree & Loughton.
No Experience? No Problem.
You don't need a background in healthcare or screening as we provide full training. If you already hold the qualification you would join us at Band 4 (AfC).
About the Role
This is an active, hands-on job where you'll:
- Be on your feet for most of the day
- Work face-to-face with patients
- Move and set up equipment to get high-quality images
You'll need a full UK driving licence and access to a car for work travel (unless exempt under the Equality Act 2010).
Main duties of the job
The Diabetic Eye Screening Programme supports people across Hertfordshire and West Essex who are living with diabetes. Because diabetes can affect eyesight, regular eye checks are vital; spotting changes early can literally help prevent sight loss. That's where our screener/grader team comes in: you're the friendly faces who make a real difference every single day.
If you join us, you'll be right at the heart of the action. You'll be checking patients' vision, instilling dilating eye drops, and using high-tech retinal cameras to capture detailed photos and scans. It's hands-on, fast-moving, and genuinely meaningful work. You'll learn specialist skills, work with state-of-the-art equipment, and play a key role in helping people protect their sight for the future.
Fun fact: The retina is the only place in the body where you can see blood vessels directly without surgery, so your work gives a real-time window into someone's health.
About us
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR HCT: We offer our staff a number of great benefits, wellbeing initiatives and lifestyle savings which can be easily accessed via our benefits and wellbeing portal.
Job responsibilities
- To undertake assigned screening clinics as directed by the Programme Management to ensure the effective running of the Hertfordshire and West Essex Diabetic Eye Screening Programme.
- To liaise with administrative and medical staff to identify and discuss any patients with specific needs (e.g., hearing difficulties, limited mobility) to ensure all resources are available.
- To competently prepare the patient (including instillation of mydriatic eye drops) and take Retinal photographs of sufficient quality to meet the National Quality Assurance Standard.
- To be able to stand for long periods during clinics, and carefully manoeuvre expensive screening equipment. Some patient handling will be necessary (training provided).
- To manage consumable supplies to deliver clinic activity, including mydriatic eye drops.
- To operate autonomously at an assigned clinic, liaising with venue staff to manage patient appointments.
- To make decisions and judgements based on the information provided by the patient, recorded actions and contemporaneous notes on the clinical system OptoMize and referring to the Team Leader for advice where necessary.
- To be aware that patients' emotions can fluctuate due to their condition, managing this in a sensitive and caring manner.
- To attend and contribute to regular Team meetings and supervision sessions with the team and clinical leads and complete the necessary mandatory training.
- To uphold the Trust values: Innovation, Caring, Agile.
Person Specification
- 5 GCSE's
- Prepared to travel across Hertfordshire and West Essex
- Capable of adapting to unexpected clinic challenges, using clear thinking and established procedures to maintain patient safety.
- Full valid UK licence and access to vehicle insured for business use.
- Exchange information with patients using tact and persuasion.
- Flexibility to meet service needs, including occasional evening or weekend clinics.
- NHS Experience.
- City & Guilds/Health Screener Diploma in Diabetic Eye Screening.
- Good understanding of information governance, data protection, and patient confidentiality.
- Disclosure and Barring Service Check.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
£25,760 to £27,476 a year per annum, pro rata.
Diabetic Eye Screener - Maternity Leave Cover employer: Job Search Place Limited
Join our dedicated team at HCT, where we prioritise employee wellbeing and professional growth. As a Diabetic Eye Screener, you'll enjoy comprehensive training, a supportive work culture, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on patients' lives across Hertfordshire and West Essex. With access to state-of-the-art equipment and a commitment to innovation, you'll thrive in an environment that values your contributions and fosters career development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Diabetic Eye Screener - Maternity Leave Cover
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research their values and mission, especially how they relate to patient care. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend local healthcare events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for common interview questions related to patient care and handling sensitive situations. Role-playing with a friend can help you feel more confident and articulate your thoughts clearly.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity. It shows professionalism and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Diabetic Eye Screener - Maternity Leave Cover
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Enthusiasm:When writing your application, let your passion for helping others shine through! We want to see that you care about making a difference in people's lives, especially when it comes to protecting their sight.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role. Mention any relevant experience, even if it's not directly in healthcare, and show us why you're the perfect fit for our team!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key points stand out. This helps us quickly see why you’d be a great addition to our team.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Job Search Place Limited
✨Know Your Role Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you understand the responsibilities of a Diabetic Eye Screener. Familiarise yourself with the equipment you'll be using and the importance of early detection in diabetes-related eye issues. This will show your enthusiasm and commitment to the role.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
As you'll be working face-to-face with patients, it's crucial to demonstrate your caring nature. Prepare examples of how you've handled sensitive situations or provided excellent customer service in the past. This will highlight your ability to connect with patients and manage their emotions effectively.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and adaptability. Think of scenarios where you had to think on your feet or adapt to unexpected challenges. This is especially relevant since you'll be moving between different clinics and dealing with various patient needs.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready. Inquire about the training process, team dynamics, or how the programme measures success. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.
