Job Description

We have an opportunity to join us as part of the ophthalmic team, delivering an unsupervised, high-quality technical and specialist service across multiple sites (Brighton, Haywards Heath and Hove).



The successful candidate will perform visual assessments including visual acuity, visual fields, optical coherence tomography (OCT), Corneal topography, Specular microscopy, Retinal imaging, measurement of intraocular pressure, and other technical measurements, which provide information for clinical decisions/treatments of eye and neurological conditions.



At times, the postholder may be asked for their advice by medical staff and patients on the results achieved for each of these tests.



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.



For further details, please see the attached



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/



Communication



Coworkers in all other departments in Sussex Eye Hospital, Princess Royal Hospital and Hove Polyclinic. Consultant and medical Staff, Clinical Nurse specialists, orthoptists, opticians, retinal screeners, photographers, multidisciplinary team . i.e., medical social worker, eye clinic liaison officer, discharge teams, c lerical staff, etc



To ensure effective communication within the team, including team briefing and departmental meetings



Service Delivery and Improvement



Ability to work as part of a team



Able to identify and discuss when care needs of patients exceed their own knowledge, skills and ability.



Ability to work alone but supervised/managed by imaging team leader as required



Reports to the imaging team leader.



Contributes and actively participates in the correct reporting and handling of incidents and accidents



Reports when care is compromised by shortage of staff or when they can no longer manage the patient themselves as a change in patients' condition or dependency.



Ability to prioritise care for patients and delegate to co-workers as necessary



Ability to provide supervision to junior team members, Healthcare Assistants and learners



Works closely with all members of the care team to ensure the needs of the patient are met



Aware of department and team dynamics, staffing level issues and ward stock control and budgetary constraints



Identifies incidences of concern to patients and deals effectively with the consequences, completing appropriate documentation



Ensures that the department environment is safe and promptly report any issues of concern



Provide clinical dat a advice where required within the organisation to affect change or progress decisions and agreements.



Provide accurate and timely clinical information to support all aspects of the quality agenda, including audits and evaluation of own work



Provide subject matter expertise relating to patient data



Attends and contributes at departmental meetings and teaching sessions



Carry out any other duties commensurate with the role and delegated or requested by the manager or supervisor, as the needs of the service require.



At no time should clinical staff work outside their defined level of competence. If the postholder has concerns regarding this, they should immediately discuss this with their Team leader, Manager, and/or Matron. The post holder has the responsibility to inform those supervising their duties if they are not competent to perform a duty.



Clinical



To undertake on the job training and a period of induction, to gain an understanding of the role and on completion of competencies carry out to a high level technical and diagnostic tests and scans on patients ensuring all results are accurate and reliable and performed within set parameters.



To provide a safe environment for patients within their clinical area using safe handling guidelines and risk assessment procedures.



To adhere to all infection control guidelines and policies with strict observance of hand washing and disinfection protocols.



To demonstrate manual handling skills that may be required to assist patients of all ages and abilities e.g., infirm patients or those in wheelchairs.



Providing clear and precise information and explanation to patients regarding the tests to be undertaken to gain verbal consent and patient cooperation, which is required to achieve the best possible result. Sometimes patients may have difficulty understanding instructions and it will be the post holder's responsibility to ensure that any concerns are addressed and clarified.



Monitor and support patients through the diagnostic tests procedures providing advice and instruction for patients to ensure accurate test results.



To learn to recognise and rectify artefacts during testing that might represent a barrier to accurate and meaningful results.



The post holder will assess visual acuity in patients as appropriate , using logMAR , Snellen and other relevant acuity tests and record results accurately and clearly in patient's paper and electronic records.



To accurately perform Optical Coherence Tomography, Topography, Specular Microscopy , Visual Field test and retinal imaging



To demonstrate necessary health and safety awareness as these tests are carried out within a dark environment.



To accurately input relevant information gained from the patient's notes, set up each test and observe the patient.



To prioritise workload allowing for the smooth running of clinics whilst delivering a high-quality service.



To administer the appropriate dilatation drugs by the correct method within their scope of work as authorised by the Trust.



Undertake a range of ophthalmic diagnostic imaging to a high level of competence. Learn to recognise common performance errors in the imaging and how to remedy these. The test will be always supervised by the post holder while being undertaken and re-started if the results are found to contain errors.



To assess and evaluate special needs of individual patients and tailor positioning and procedures to their clinical needs, which involve overcoming barriers to understanding.



To anticipate where patient communication difficulties might make completion of the pre-examination checklist impossible and to implement alternative methods to ensure patient safety is always maintained .



To communicate effectively and empathetically with patients, paying particular attention to patients' anxieties.



Have an understanding of a range of common ophthalmic conditions to understand which imaging modality is usual for these conditions and allow fact checking if another test is requested



To determine the prescription of patients' spectacles using a manual focimeter and to assess the correct lens to be used for accurate visual field assessments and other tests as requires.



To perform automated visual fields assessments for patients with the Humphrey field analyser.



Work closely with colleagues to provide virtual clinics for relevant conditions. Be the main point of contact for patients during these clinics and make a judgement if the patient is unsuitable for such a clinic in future. In addition to imaging, undertake and record patient interview including taking a short ophthalmic history, visual acuity testing and instillation of drops where required . Explain the possible outcomes to patients and be able to respond to questions and queries or escalate these as appropriate .



Assisting other ophthalmic imagers and clinical photographers in the department and on location.



To undertake image management including accurate saving and any appropriate electronic image editing. Ensure accurate documentation of imaging requests using medical notes and electronic patient and imaging databases



To be involved in research activities, to undertake OCT to set protocols for current research trails undertaken within Ophthalmology. This will involve specific training regarding each study, certification from the associated reading centre and a requirement to be up to date with GCP training.



To act as a point of advice for patient enquires regarding their referral/ appointment, for and Liaison Service (PALS), Interpretation Services and hospital Transport.



Liaise with teams which are external to ophthalmic imaging e.g. ward, clinics, hotel services and facilities.



People Management and Development



Participate in the Trust appraisal process and work towards meeting identified development needs



Demonstrate on-going professional development



Promote the development of an acceptable learning environment within the department



Participate in team/department developmental strategies and assists in the positive promotion of team building



Demonstrates a positive attitude to the supervision of learners advising the team leader of a ny difficulties as appropriate



Supports and contributes to any department-based teaching programmes



Assesses the learning needs of patients and carers



Patient Care Delivery



H ave both a general responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their daily duties and for ensuring that they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role



Have a personal obligation to act to reduce H e althcare Associated Infections (HCAIs) and must attend mandatory training in infection prevention and control. Post holders must comply with the trust's Infection Control Policies as they apply to their duties, including the hand decontamination policy, dress code and personal protective equipment policy.



Learning and Development



Attend mandatory training updates as required.



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.