Assistant Ophthalmic Vision Science Practitioner - Hoxton

YOU MAKE US MORE

Join Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust At Moorfields, people’s sight matters—and so do the people who make it possible.

YOU MAKE US MORE Join Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust At Moorfields, people’s sight matters—and so do the people who make it possible. For over 200 years, Moorfields has been at the forefront of ophthalmic care, research, and education. With more than 2,300 dedicated team members and over 700,000 patients seen annually across our City Road site and 22 networked sites, we are proud to be a global centre of excellence. We’re also a vibrant community where kindness, equity and excellence shape every aspect of our work. Whether it’s pioneering research through our partnership with UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre or training the next generation of global eye care leaders, we’re united by one mission—delivering world-class eye health, sustainably and at scale. And we’re just getting started. From 2027, we’ll move to our brand-new Oriel site in St Pancras, Camden—a state-of-the-art centre that will unite eye care, research, and education under one roof. This groundbreaking facility, developed in partnership with UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Charity, will enable transformative innovation and collaboration like never before. Could you be part of this future? Make us more.

Job Overview

Have you always wanted an opportunity to start a career in healthcare but were unsure of how? Do you want a meaningful career that will make a real difference to people’s lives? Could your excellent customer services skills be translated into excellent patient care? If so, this may be for you.

We have a fantastic opportunity to join our dedicated team of skilled Ophthalmic Vision Science Practitioners (OVSP).

As an Assistant Ophthalmic Vision Science Practitioner, you will be trained to work within Ophthalmic Imaging, a specialised form of medical photography dedicated to the recording and treatment of many disorders of the eye.

In this role you will earn as you learn and gain valuable work experience. There is not a requirement to have previously worked within the NHS or ophthalmology however you must be willing to study towards a level 2 healthcare apprenticeship.

You will follow a comprehensive structured training programme that could start your career path. There many career routes you may not have been aware of and we encourage staff to explore areas of interest.

Main duties of the job

As an Assistant Ophthalmic Vision Science Practitioner, you will greet patients, manage patient flow and ensure everyone has an excellent experience during their appointment, treating them with dignity and respect at all times. You will be trained to undertake a range of routine ophthalmic imaging procedures on medical devices and support qualified staff in the assessment of health needs and the delivery of care for patients, including clinical risk assessment. This role also involves working collaboratively with others as part of the multi-disciplinary team, assisting clinical staff in delivering high quality patient care.

Working for our organisation

At Moorfields, we provide more than just an excellent career and great colleagues to work with. We also offer:

• Salary including High-Cost Area Supplement (for London based roles)
• Opportunity to join the NHS Pension Scheme
• Free 24/7 independent counselling service
• Learning and development opportunities
• Easy and quick transport links
• A range of attractive benefits and discounts
• Access to Blue Light Card and other NHS Discount Schemes
• Free Pilates classes
• Full support and training to develop your skills
• Flexible working friendly organisation

And so much more! To see the full range of benefits we offer please see our Moorfields benefits document.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

• Participate in the delivery of patient centred care, always maintaining a compassionate and professional attitude.
• Contribute to the ward/clinic/department/organisation
• Support senior staff in the provision of a caring and safe environment
• Demonstrate competence in generic and specialist skills following the completion of the appropriate training and education and within twelve months from commencement in role
• Function at a competency level in line with the requirements of the post and achieve and maintain both mandatory and statutory training requirements associated with the role.
• Support qualified staff in the assessment of health needs and the delivery of care for a number of individuals or groups of patients, including clinical risk assessment
• Work collaboratively with others as part of the multi-disciplinary team, clinical staff in duties associated with patient care
• Treat patients with dignity and respect and maintaining their confidentiality both inside and outside the hospital environment.
• To be competent in undertaking a routine ophthalmic imaging procedure on medical devices, the provision of clinical work and any related tasks following formal training under Moorfields Ophthalmic Vision Science practitioners’ technical competency framework and where needed provide appropriate support for newly appointed staff
• Be responsible for the initial reporting of faulty equipment and follow-up repairs, keeping the supervisor or nurse in charge informed ensuring the clinical areas are prepared and maintained throughout the day
• Liaise effectively with all stakeholders in the care process including carers and relatives as well as to support colleagues to ensure patients receive care in a timely manner during their visit to any site under the care of Moorfields
• Respond appropriately to emergency situations
• Act as a chaperone when required
• Manage patient flow by monitoring patient times along the patient journey. Report any delays to the supervisor or nurse in charge. Ensure those patients that require special assistance are monitored and supported
• Ensure effective handover of patients between shifts/healthcare professionals/ departments using a range of communication aids such as verbal handover/ safety huddle/ written documentation/referral
• To assist or attend patient basic care where required
• Give clear and concise explanation and test instructions to ensure maximum patient understanding and co-operation, taking into account patients who have visual impairment, hearing loss, physical or mental disabilities, learning difficulties, different age groups, cultural differences and non-English speaking patients
• Observe and report to senior staff any change in a patients physical and psychological condition
• Obtain verbal consent from the patients before any clinical intervention is undertaken, where this is not given report this to senior staff
• Ensure any safeguarding concerns are raised with team leader / nurse in charge
• Be an active participant in providing education and health promotion advice to patients and their carers
• Support patients and/or relatives that are in need of assistance
• Identify and act upon acutely unwell members of the public and/or colleagues according to their BLS training.
• Professionalism
• Maintain and update relevant knowledge and skills, undertaking and completing further training and academic qualifications as appropriate to the role and service requirements
• Adhere to all trust policies, guidelines and standards ensuring a high standard of personal and professional behaviour and dress is maintained at all times whilst acting as an ambassador for the trust and a role model to others
• Manage own time effectively, ensure good time keeping in relation to shift commencement and breaks
• Maintain professional boundaries and working relations with patients and colleagues,
• The post holder may be deployed/expected to work in any part of the organisation should the need arise to ensure patient safety is maintained
• Communication
• Communicate clearly and appropriately with patients, their relatives/friends, colleagues and all other members of the multi-disciplinary team, including responding to queries, answering the phone, taking messages, and passing on written and verbal information
• Identify patient’s individual communication needs and assure correct communication support is provided to those who need using available translating services
• To comply with the trust information governance policy and patient’s confidentiality
• Provide patients with information and advice ensuring that the information provided is in a format which meets their needs e.g. large, Braille or other languages, complying with AIS standards
• Maintain a high standard of professional behaviour and ensure effective communication with all members of the multi-disciplinary team, patients, carers and relatives, mindful of own and others body language and barriers which may affect communication
• Participate in discussions about patients care and ward/clinic/departmental issues at safety huddle /handover meetings

Person specification

Education / Qualifications

Essential criteria

• GC/GCSE (or equivalent) Maths and English (Grade C or above)
• Willingness to complete level 2 healthcare apprenticeship

Experience

Essential criteria

• Demonstration of working in a team

Desirable criteria

• Experience working in a NHS / private healthcare setting
• Minimum one year experience in a customer service / front facing role

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Understanding of equal opportunities

Desirable criteria

• Providing good care

Skills / Abilities

Essential criteria

• Good communication skills written and verbal
• Ability to use Microsoft packages

Desirable criteria

• Demonstrates good customer skills

Due to the nature of this position, employment is subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK, completion of a satisfactory DBS disclosure and two references. We do not offer visa sponsorship for roles unless clearly stated in our adverts, so please consider this before applying.

Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion is at the heart of our organisational culture. As part of our pledge to take positive action in recruitment we encourage applications from under-represented candidates including BAME (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic) and Disabled candidates as we work towards a representative workforce that is able to provide the quality, the dignity and respect and to deliver above and beyond.

Moorfields is a flexible working friendly organisation, and we are committed to helping our employees achieve a work-life balance that is beneficial for health and wellbeing, motivation levels and job satisfaction. Every employee of the Trust has the right to request to work flexibly. Please speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.

If we receive sufficient applications, we will close this ad prior to the closing date. You are advised not to delay submitting your completed application.

If you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments before applying or would like an accessible version of any recruitment documents, please contact the recruitment team at moorfields.recruitment@nhs.net.

Moorfields Eye Hospital does not charge applicants any recruitment or sponsorship fees. Our website and published contact details are the only authorised channels for applications and verification of job offers.

https://www.moorfields.nhs.uk/work-for-us

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

• Assistant Ophthalmic Vision Science Practitioner (PDF, 336.4KB)
• OVS Career pathway (PDF, 269.2KB)
• MEH Staff Benefits (PDF, 919.1KB)
• MEH Privacy Notice (PDF, 138.0KB)

Further details / informal visits contact

Name Hannah Davda Job title Deputy Lead of Imaging - Hoxton Email address hannah.davda@nhs.net