Job Description

The Diabetic Eye Screener role involves managing screening clinics independently and requires a wide range of interpersonal and job specific skills. The post holder will be expected to travel to different locations throughout Sussex, the post holder will need a drivers licence and access to a vehicle for work. The post holder will be responsible for:



Explaining the test procedure to the people with diabetes and obtaining consent



Undertaking visual acuity checks



Instilling eye drops



Taking digital image



The Screener will provide general/specific care as identified below under the direct and indirect supervision of their trainer. They will be expected to become proficient and complete and maintain competencies relevant to the area of work.



The Screener will carry out daily practice in line with our Trust values



Communication



Kindness and Understanding



Fairness and Transparency



Working Together



Excellence



These are busy demanding clinics and the Screener is required to have a full driving licence and their own transport provided to travel throughout West and East Sussex to run clinics.



Responsible for informing admin staff and line manager of issues during clinics.



Liaises with IT helpdesk, software company and camera engineers as appropriate in the event of technical issues and records the outcomes and informs the Line Manager



Maintains confidentiality at all times in line with the Data Protection Act and Trust Information Governance guidance and policy



Provides and receives complex or sensitive information, relating to patient care, recognising barriers to understanding. Uses interpersonal skills to communicate condition related information clearly and concisely with colleagues, patients, carers and relatives, providing empathy and reassurance.



Reports all concerns, accidents and incidents relating to self, patients, staff or visitors in accordance with the Trust incident reporting system (Datix)



Participates effectively in the programme and team teaching sessions the rest of the DESP team.



Communicate effectively using Trust Information Technology systems (i.e.: Email, intranet, clinic list information, data collection systems)



Communicate with other healthcare professionals as necessary and ensures appropriate safeguarding of patients/staff



Works closely with staff in the department and also with staff from the Diabetes Unit and the Ophthalmology department attending feedback and training meetings as necessary



Responds appropriately to all telephone and personal enquiries in a sensitive and helpful manner



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 our Wellbeing 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/

Please note:

This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.



Communication



Responsible for informing admin staff and line manager of issues during clinics



Liaises with IT helpdesk, software company and camera engineers as appropriate in the event of technical issues and records the outcomes and informs the Line Manage



Maintains confidentiality at all times in line with the Data Protection Act and Trust Information Governance guidance and polic



Provides and receives complex or sensitive information, relating to patient care, recognising barriers to understanding. Uses interpersonal skills to communicate condition related information clearly and concisely with colleagues, patients, carers and relatives, providing empathy and reassurance



Reports all concerns, accidents and incidents relating to self, patients, staff or visitors in accordance with the Trust incident reporting system (Datix)



Participates effectively in the programme and team teaching sessions the rest of the DESP team



Communicate effectively using Trust Information Technology systems (i.e.: Email, intranet, clinic list information, data collection systems



Communicate with other healthcare professionals as necessary and ensures appropriate safeguarding of patients/staff



Works closely with staff in the department and also with staff from the Diabetes Unit and the Ophthalmology department attending feedback and training meetings as necessary



Responds appropriately to all telephone and personal enquiries in a sensitive and helpful manner



Patient Care Delivery

Clinical:

Core Responsibilities



Ensures that patients are treated with courtesy at all times; their individual needs are respected, maintain patient privacy and dignity



Manages clinic preparation, ensuring all stock and equipment is available to use, prepares and tests equipment. To achieve this good time keeping essential



Organises and, prioritises own workload daily. Provides high quality patient care, appropriate to patient need. Is responsible for a group of patients with indirect supervision of line manager



Is responsible for seeing patients in a timely fashion and ensures delays in the running of the clinic are communicated to the admin team and patients



Carries responsibility for patients' care within the clinic ensuring their safety and wellbeing such as responsibility for management of transport patients, following up safeguarding issues post clinic



Takes appropriate history and information from patients, and explains the procedure of screening to them, gaining their consent to screening and recording this information. Answering any questions that are required to help the consent process



Conducts an accurate visual acuity eye test and full pupil dilation by instillation of dilating eye drops, working to the appropriate local and national protocols.



Captures the appropriate images of the patients' retinas. Obtaining best quality imaging possible



Takes a full history for patients with a reduced visual acuity, including last optometrist visit, past medical history to ensure best outcome for the patient.



Records notes which are necessary to assist in the success for the follow up visits, such as poor to dilate, wheelchair users, any mental or physical impairment which may require additional prior knowledge by the screener



Uses the time with the patients to increase their understanding and knowledge of diabetes and how it can affect the eyes, as appropriate



Makes a decision on the priority of images for grader assessment. Records these results.



Service Delivery and Improvement



Administrative



Responsible for ensuring the clinic admin work is completed. All clinics are accounted for, and that each clinic has an allocated screener. The individual workloads are adequately distributed amongst the team. To raise any issues regarding clinic admin to line manager



To provide failsafe admin role to ensure the patients are accounted for at the close of clinic and those who did not attend are followed u



Ensures in clinic that each patient's status is up to date and they are in the correct pathway for follow u



Reports any changes to patient status or follow up to admin / line manager



Provides admin support to the admin team as requested by line manager



Audit and Research



Participates in research and clinical audits as appropriate, keeping up to date with changing practice



Organisation/Leadership



Adheres to Trust uniform policy.



Works effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team, recognising the contribution of all team members in meeting patients' needs.



Collects data for audits and reports and input on electronic patient record systems/data collection systems.



In collaboration with the line manager, identify and implement changes within the role to support development and improvement.



Recognises own level of competence to ensure safe practice.



Uses supplies and equipment effectively and economically with an awareness of budgetary control. Maintains stock levels in clinics and asks administrator to order supplies when necessary.



Acts as a role model by upholding and implementing good practice in the workplace, ensuring the highest standards of care are delivered.



To undertake a link role, eg. fire trainer/warden, moving and handling, infection control, enhancing communication and collaborative working by attending meetings and keeping colleagues up-to-date (through face-to-face and written/electronic briefing)



People Management and Development



Assist and support team leaders in training new screeners



Learning and Development



Attend mandatory training updates as required.



Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with the line manager as part of the personal development process.



Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales.



Identify own learning needs and jointly plan training requirements with your line manager



Participate in the Trust's appraisal process to discuss how your role will help deliver the best possible care to our patients and help to deliver any changes in service.



Attendance where required and provision of funding available for DES specific updates, workshops and training eg BARS, NDESP day



This job description is an outline of the role and responsibilities. From time to time due to the needs of the service, we may ask you to flexibly undertake other duties that are consistent with your role and banding, including project work, internal job rotation and absence cover.



The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the department and the organisation.