Wrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an ophthalmic technician to work in the ophthalmic department in Wigan Eye Unit at Boston House and Leigh Infirmary. The unit sees patients with a number of ophthalmology conditions including medical retina and glaucoma. Working in a friendly environment, you will carry out ophthalmic technical and imaging procedures including OCT, visual fields, and visual acuity assessments.
Ophthalmic imaging experience is essential.
You must be able to travel independently across the Trust. The post holder will have a flexible and adaptable approach to support the delivery of our ophthalmology services. We are recruiting to a 37.5-hour post; flexible working hours over 7 days will be expected.
Main duties of the job
To operate advanced ophthalmic imaging equipment to collect information which assists in the diagnosis and management of sight-threatening eye conditions. Equipment and software used includes Zeiss Humphrey Visual Field Analyser, Heidelberg Spectralis OCT / OCTA systems, Zeiss Clarus 700 Ultra Wide Field and Canon CX1 retinal cameras, Tomey TMS Corneal Topography and others.
This role provides valuable technical support to our clinical team by obtaining data from a range of scans, imaging techniques, and clinical assessments as appropriate to the extensive range of subspecialties which our eye unit covers.
Job responsibilities
Key results from the job holder
* To liaise with the Lead Technician to ensure smooth and efficient running of clinic.
* To maintain high levels of cleanliness and tidiness within the working environment following Trust, departmental and medical suppliers policies.
* To undertake administration tasks as required by the post to plan and work within schedules.
* To review patients' records/referrals to determine the type of test required by doctor/clinician.
* To follow protocols and patient pathways in relating to the Ophthalmic Imaging Service.
Communications and Key Working Relationships
* To accurately assess the visual acuity of patients attending for ophthalmic imaging procedures.
* To instil dilating drops for the purposes of retinal imaging.
* To advise the patient, when necessary, on the effects of drops used i.e. daily living tasks such as precautions with driving and blurred near vision and reading.
* To competently perform ophthalmic imaging procedures such as visual field testing (automated and manual), retinal and ocular photographs, and biometry.
* To undertake focimetry (manual and automated) and hand neutralization of glasses to ensure accuracy of visual field testing.
* Adjust the camera settings appropriately and troubleshoot any camera/hardware issues that arise before reporting any problems according to Trust procedure.
* To assist with minor procedures.
* To give clear and concise explanation and test instructions to patients to ensure maximum understanding and cooperation takes place.
* To communicate with patients in difficult situations showing understanding, respect, and empathy.
* To provide reassurance, advice, and comfort to all patients.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Experience
* Previous experience working in a hospital setting.
* Experience in Humphrey Visual Fields, OCT, and retinal imaging.
* Intermediate level theoretical and practical knowledge of Ophthalmic clinic settings.
* Experience of working within ophthalmic technical roles.
Skills
* Good communication and interpersonal skills.
* Excellent hand/eye dexterity to be able to make fine adjustments to imaging equipment/apparatus.
Knowledge
* Good technical knowledge of imaging equipment.
* The ability to work within a multidisciplinary team, undertake own workload, manage time, and cope with the pressures of a busy out-patient department.
* The ability to communicate effectively with staff & patients, including patients with learning/communication difficulties and deal with sensitive/unpleasant situations.
Additional
* Flexible and able to work on any ward and site within the Trust.
* Excellent visual acuity and colour vision due to imaging requirement.
* Speak English to an appropriate standard relevant to their role.
* Able to independently travel between clinical sites.
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.
Salary: £24,071 to £25,674 per annum, pro rata.
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