At a Glance
- Tasks: Travel to clinics, take eye scans, and help protect patients' vision.
- Company: Join a caring team dedicated to eye health in Hertfordshire and West Essex.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, full training, and access to wellbeing initiatives.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and community impact.
- 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.
Vision-Saving Diabetic Eye Screener (Maternity Cover) employer: Job Search Place Limited
Join HCT and become part of a dedicated team that makes a real difference in the lives of individuals living with diabetes. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, comprehensive training, and opportunities for professional growth, our supportive work culture ensures you feel valued while contributing to meaningful healthcare initiatives across Hertfordshire and West Essex. Enjoy the benefits of working with state-of-the-art technology in a role that not only enhances your skills but also plays a crucial part in protecting people's sight.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Vision-Saving Diabetic Eye Screener (Maternity Cover)
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research HCT and the Diabetic Eye Screening Programme. Understanding their mission and values will help you connect with the interviewers and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your people skills! Since this role involves working face-to-face with patients, think about how you can demonstrate your caring nature and ability to handle sensitive situations during your interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to talk about adaptability! This job requires flexibility and quick thinking, especially when unexpected challenges arise. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully navigated similar situations.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and keen to join our team in helping protect people's sight!
We think you need these skills to ace Vision-Saving Diabetic Eye Screener (Maternity Cover)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Enthusiasm:Let your passion for helping others shine through in your application. 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 CV and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences. Even if you don't have direct healthcare experience, focus on any customer service or hands-on roles you've had that demonstrate your ability to connect with people.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why you'd be a great fit for the role.
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 position. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Job Search Place Limited
✨Know Your Role
Make sure you understand the responsibilities of a Diabetic Eye Screener. Familiarise yourself with the tasks you'll be doing, like taking retinal photographs and managing patient interactions. This will help you answer questions confidently and show your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Show Your Caring Side
Since this role involves working closely with patients, it's crucial to demonstrate your caring nature. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've shown empathy or helped someone in need. This will highlight your suitability for a position that requires sensitivity and understanding.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect some practical questions during the interview. They might ask how you'd handle specific situations with patients or equipment. Brush up on your problem-solving skills and think through how you'd manage unexpected challenges, especially in a fast-paced environment.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the training process, team dynamics, or how they measure success in the role. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.
