Job summary The Ophthalmology Department at Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust has approximately 29,000 attendances per year. The client base covers the full life range of ages from neonates to patients in excess of 100 years. We have a full time and part time vacancies as an Optical Health Care Assistant. This is an exciting opportunity for an existing dispensing Optical Assistant/Health Care Assistant to join our friendly professional ophthalmic team. This position will be based at our Salisbury purpose built unit. The post holder will take part in the day-to-day service delivery within the department, and have experience of working with people who have a visual impairment. Previous experience within a health care setting and/or optical community setting is essential preferably within secondary care with an education qualification in numeracy and literacy. It would be advantageous if all applicants had an NVQ/QCF in Health and Social Care /Care Certificate but show a willingness to undertake if these qualifications have not been achieved. Applicants who have a dispensing related qualification from primary care are encouraged to apply for this role. Main duties of the job Working alongside the Ophthalmology team in the day to day running of clinics, carrying our relevant diagnostics examinations. Assisting in the running of pre and post-operative clinics including diagnostic activity Addressing patient queries effectively to offer support and reassurance Cleaning, preparing and assembling of associated surgical equipment prior to and during treatment Acting asIntravitreal injection runner/escort Preparing all areas prior to any clinical activities ensuring equipment is checked ready for use. You will be a key member of our nursing team providing support with our registered nurses to children, patients and families. You will work alongside the outpatient team running clinics and performing visual acuities and assisting in diagnostic procedures. Ensuring equipment is stored correctly and assisting with stock control About us Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust (SFT) is an innovative hospital with a proud heritage and over 250 years of experience behind us. Here we're driven to deliver an outstanding experience for everyone and have been well regarded for the quality of care and treatment we continue to provide for our patients and also our staff. We are an acute Trust, rated "Good" by the CQC, with a track record of high performance providing regional and super regional specialist services such as: Burns, Plastics & Reconstructive Surgery, Wessex Regional Genetics Laboratory, Wessex Rehabilitation, Spires Cleft Centre and the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre. We have about 470 beds and employ over 4000 staff. We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. We think working here is pretty rewarding. You can access a range of NHS discounts, receive a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme. On-site benefits include car parking (fee applies), leisure centre, day nursery and holiday play scheme. Salisbury is an attractive place to live and work and really gives you the best of everything. With easy access to London and local airports, the city of Southampton is only a short train or car journey away or if you prefer the sea, Bournemouth is also accessible. Don't just take our word for it, why not explore what Salisbury has to offer by visiting www.experiencesalisbury.co.uk Date posted 16 April 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 3 Salary £24,625 to £25,674 a year per annum pro rata if part time Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 269-SFT9117 Job locations Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust Salisbury District Hospital, Odstock Road Salisbury SP2 8BJ Job description Job responsibilities Please see attached Job description and person specification for full details of roles and responsibilities. Job description Job responsibilities Please see attached Job description and person specification for full details of roles and responsibilities. Person Specification Application Form Essential Educated to GCSE grade C or equivalent in key skills level 2 or functional skills level 2 numeracy and literacy. NVQ/QCF in Health or Health and Social Care Level 2/3 or willingness to undertake Care Certificate. Have a dispensing related qualification (if already working in primary care) Good communication skills, able to communicate respectfully verbally and in writing. Experience working in an acute hospital setting and/or community knowledge of speciality Computer literate with basic ECDL skills. Desirable Understanding of the role of a HCA in Ophthalmology Good communication skills and current evidence of dealing with members of the general public. Person Specification Application Form Essential Educated to GCSE grade C or equivalent in key skills level 2 or functional skills level 2 numeracy and literacy. NVQ/QCF in Health or Health and Social Care Level 2/3 or willingness to undertake Care Certificate. Have a dispensing related qualification (if already working in primary care) Good communication skills, able to communicate respectfully verbally and in writing. Experience working in an acute hospital setting and/or community knowledge of speciality Computer literate with basic ECDL skills. Desirable Understanding of the role of a HCA in Ophthalmology Good communication skills and current evidence of dealing with members of the general public. 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. Employer details Employer name Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust Address Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust Salisbury District Hospital, Odstock Road Salisbury SP2 8BJ Employer's website https://www.salisbury.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)