Senior Healthcare Assistant (OPD)

Job summary

To work as a Senior Ophthalmic Health Care Assistant under the direction of Staff Nurses and Sister, predominantly within the OPD service, but with the skills to rotate to all areas of ophthalmology as required. To set up clinics, carry out and record Visual Acuity; Intra ocular pressure measurement; Auto-refraction; Foci meter; Visual Field Testing; Macular; and to assist in Minor operation and Intra-vitreal injection clinics.

Main duties of the job

This role supports the ophthalmic team in outpatient clinics, assisting with visual acuities, patient flow, and clinical procedures. Key responsibilities include conducting visual field tests, instilling eye drops, performing hand held tonometry, and recording vital signs like blood pressure, temperature, and blood glucose. The post-holder will assist with routine tasks such as venepuncture, urinalysis, and answering calls from GPs, opticians, and patients. Supervision of junior staff and training of new team members are expected. The role also involves administrative tasks like booking appointments, managing patient transport, and supporting discharge processes.

The job includes assisting in minor ophthalmic procedures, ensuring correct eye drops administration, maintaining patient comfort, and adhering to infection control protocols. The post-holder is responsible for supporting patient care, including personal hygiene, feeding, mobility assistance, and communication support, ensuring patient dignity and privacy. Effective communication with patients, families, and multidisciplinary teams is essential.

Staff development is a key focus, with duties including mentoring junior colleagues and ensuring a positive, non-discriminatory work environment. The role may involve other duties aligned with the team's needs. Flexibility is expected as the job description evolves to meet service requirements.

About us

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/