Job summary As an Ophthalmic Technician you will work within the ophthalmology department and hospital based diagnostic hubs to provide clinical and technical services. You will work under the direction of the ophthalmic technical service manager, lead ophthalmic technicians & senior ophthalmic technicians to assist in the diagnosis, treatment and care of new and follow-up patients. Make safe and effective use of a range of highly complex expensive diagnostic instruments adhering to defined protocols and guidelines. Report diagnostic test results to ophthalmologists and professional staff. Adapt tests to match clinical observations and the age, cognitive and physical ability of patients. Accommodate flexible and variable clinical schedules, potentially ranging between four hospital sites, including evening and weekend hours. Contribute to smooth running of the department and provision of diagnostic services recommending adjustments to match patient priority and case mix. Recommend improvements and changes to departmental policies, guidelines and protocols at departmental meetings. Maintain personal knowledge and skills undertaking training and development as required. Main duties of the job Assist in the diagnosis & monitoring of ophthalmic conditions by performing visual field assessments using the Humphrey visual field analyser Measure & record visual acuity using the appropriate refractive correction using a Snellen, Sheridan Gardner, Kays or LogMAR, including measurement of contrast sensitivity Taking relevant patient history and accurately record on the appropriate platform Measure & record colour vision function using Ishihara pseudo isochromatic plates and the automated CAD analyser. Obtain refraction measurements using handheld & floor standing auto-refractors. To evaluate & document pupillary reactions using the automated pupilometer Measure spectacle prescriptions using manual & automated focimetry Perform optic nerve head & retinal imaging using OCT. Scan assessments will include Spectralis of the macular, optic disc & extramacular areas, autofluorescence imaging and multi-coloured imaging Perform Optos reliably & efficiently on patients attending with a range of ocular diseases. Scans will include Red/Green (Multicolour), Auto-fluorescence (BAF) Obtain images of the anterior segment of the eye using the Anterion Take measurements of intraocular pressure using ORA & iCare Make use of the specular microscope to capture detailed images of the corneal endothelium To undertake Aseptic Non-Touch Technique (ANTT) training & apply within all elements of the clinical setting where appropriate About us We are recognised as one of the leading NHS Foundation Trusts in the UK. Our vision is to Build Healthier Lives, and we recognise that we need incredible staff to do this. Our commitment to our staff is to create the best place for them to work, and we are dedicated to: Investing in the health and wellbeing of our staff, including a commitment of offering flexible working where we can;Offer our staff a wide variety of training and development opportunities, to support their personal and career development objectives. UHB is committed to ensuring that our staff are treated fairly and feel that they belong, by creating a kind and inclusive environment. This is about equity of opportunity; removing all barriers, including discrimination and ensuring each individual member of staff reach their true potential, achieve their ambitions and thrive in their work. This is more than words. We are taking action. Our commitment to an inclusive culture is embedded at all levels of the organisation where every voice is heard, driven by our diverse and active staff networks, and at Board level by the Fairness Taskforce led by our CEO. We nurture a culture which empowers staff to challenge discriminatory behaviours and to enable people to bring their 'whole self' to a kinder, more connected and bold place to work. University Hospitals Birmingham is a Smoke-Free premises hospital. Date posted 28 October 2024 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 4 Salary £26,530 to £29,114 a year Contract Fixed term Duration 12 months Working pattern Full-time, Flexible working Reference number 304-9001475DH Job locations Trustwide Mindelsohn Way Birmingham West Midlands B15 2TH Job description Job responsibilities Please Note : For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached Job Description Job description Job responsibilities Please Note : For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached Job Description Person Specification Qualifications Essential A-Levels or NVQ3 or equivalent 5 GCSEs at grade C or above to include English language and mathematics Experience Essential Knowledge of information governance, health and safety, infection control, safeguarding Desirable Experience of working in eye care Experience of delivering technician-led ophthalmic services Experience working with adults including adults who have significant sensory impairment or learning difficulties Experience of working within the NHS Technical knowledge of how to set up and operate Humphrey analysers and how to modify testing to ensure accuracy of the results obtained Knowledge of refractive errors and how they are corrected with spectacles Technical knowledge of how to operate manual and automated lens analyser to assess single vision, bifocal and varifocal lenses Knowledge of how to select the most appropriate method for assessing visual acuity taking into account the ability and understanding of individual patients Additional Criteria Essential Excellent hand / eye coordination, dexterity and speed when performing clinical investigations Innovative approach to work and must be able to respond quickly to changes in working practice Sound problem solving skills Ability to follow protocols accurately and to work under sustained pressure whilst maintaining high levels of concentration Ability to write clearly and interpret instructions Ability to keep and maintain detailed patient records at all times Ability to maintain and utilise department and Trust information systems and ensure the accuracy of the information held Experience using microsoft office Effective interpersonal skills with the ability to develop and evolve professional relationships with staff at all levels Excellent communication skills (verbal and non-verbal) and ability to overcome barriers to communication that may relate to language / hearing / vision / age / intelligence Ability to demonstrate well developed communication and persuasion skills needed to work with patients with long-term conditions that may require a lifetime of regular hospital attendance and treatment Willingness to acquire and develop new skills by attending training/short courses in the field of Ophthalmology Willingness to undertake self-study in the field of Ophthalmology as appropriate Willingness to attend external training courses and demonstrable commitment to personal development Willingness to complete on the job training in the field of Ophthalmology Must be able to identify own limitations in theoretical and practical skills and thus when to seek the advice of a senior colleague Self- motivated with strong commitment to high standard of patient care Methodical, well organised and efficient Effective time manager and able to prioritise own workload Must demonstrate a pleasant, helpful disposition at all times and be able to make decisions and resolve problems Ability to manage challenging complex cases where patients are distressed Ability to work successfully as part of a multi-disciplinary team Flexibility over sessions worked as this post may involve some Saturday and evening working Cross site working will be expected Desirable Previous experience using automated perimetry in line with set competency standards Ability to take OCT / OCT-A scans Ability to use Optos, Kowa, Anterion Ability to run a technician-led clinic Experience using Medisoft/Medisight/ clinical portal Person Specification Qualifications Essential A-Levels or NVQ3 or equivalent 5 GCSEs at grade C or above to include English language and mathematics Experience Essential Knowledge of information governance, health and safety, infection control, safeguarding Desirable Experience of working in eye care Experience of delivering technician-led ophthalmic services Experience working with adults including adults who have significant sensory impairment or learning difficulties Experience of working within the NHS Technical knowledge of how to set up and operate Humphrey analysers and how to modify testing to ensure accuracy of the results obtained Knowledge of refractive errors and how they are corrected with spectacles Technical knowledge of how to operate manual and automated lens analyser to assess single vision, bifocal and varifocal lenses Knowledge of how to select the most appropriate method for assessing visual acuity taking into account the ability and understanding of individual patients Additional Criteria Essential Excellent hand / eye coordination, dexterity and speed when performing clinical investigations Innovative approach to work and must be able to respond quickly to changes in working practice Sound problem solving skills Ability to follow protocols accurately and to work under sustained pressure whilst maintaining high levels of concentration Ability to write clearly and interpret instructions Ability to keep and maintain detailed patient records at all times Ability to maintain and utilise department and Trust information systems and ensure the accuracy of the information held Experience using microsoft office Effective interpersonal skills with the ability to develop and evolve professional relationships with staff at all levels Excellent communication skills (verbal and non-verbal) and ability to overcome barriers to communication that may relate to language / hearing / vision / age / intelligence Ability to demonstrate well developed communication and persuasion skills needed to work with patients with long-term conditions that may require a lifetime of regular hospital attendance and treatment Willingness to acquire and develop new skills by attending training/short courses in the field of Ophthalmology Willingness to undertake self-study in the field of Ophthalmology as appropriate Willingness to attend external training courses and demonstrable commitment to personal development Willingness to complete on the job training in the field of Ophthalmology Must be able to identify own limitations in theoretical and practical skills and thus when to seek the advice of a senior colleague Self- motivated with strong commitment to high standard of patient care Methodical, well organised and efficient Effective time manager and able to prioritise own workload Must demonstrate a pleasant, helpful disposition at all times and be able to make decisions and resolve problems Ability to manage challenging complex cases where patients are distressed Ability to work successfully as part of a multi-disciplinary team Flexibility over sessions worked as this post may involve some Saturday and evening working Cross site working will be expected Desirable Previous experience using automated perimetry in line with set competency standards Ability to take OCT / OCT-A scans Ability to use Optos, Kowa, Anterion Ability to run a technician-led clinic Experience using Medisoft/Medisight/ clinical portal 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 University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust Address Trustwide Mindelsohn Way Birmingham West Midlands B15 2TH Employer's website https://www.uhb.nhs.uk/jobs.htm (Opens in a new tab)