Diabetic Retinal Screener, Band 4

at  Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

We are looking to recruit a self-motivated, enthusiastic individual to join our Diabetic Eye Screening Team. Applicants will need to demonstrate the ability to work both independently and as part of a small team. You will need to be computer literate and have excellent interpersonal skills. Full training and support will be provided.
The successful candidate will be an excellent communicator who is flexible and able to deal with a range of different people in their day-to-day work, some with very specific needs.
You must have a full driving licence and your own transport to travel to and from health centres and places of work within the programme area. You will also be required to drive department vans including mobile clinic vehicles.
The successful candidate will be required to undertake clinics across the county in a range of settings, including mobile clinical vehicles, GP Surgeries and Hospitals. You must be able to work confidently and independently. You must be adept at trouble shooting issues you may encounter whist screening, such as IT/ technical failure.
The successful applicant will run clinics, measure visual acuity, take retinal photographs, administer eye drops and triage patients. There is a whole team approach to achieving NDESP (National Diabetic Eye Screening Programme) performance measures. There will be some administrative duties such as telephoning patients.
Use of your own vehicle to travel between sites in Gloucestershire area is essential. The post holder will also be expected to drive our mobile retinal screening van to screening venues to transport equipment as demand necessitates, you will require a valid driving licence for the UK and business insurance for your vehicle.
We currently hold clinics Monday – Saturday between the hours of 7.00am – 7:30pm. The post holder will be expected to work a minimum of one evening clinic per week, and one Saturday (8am to 4pm) per month.
This role requires you to have excellent time management skills and the ability to prioritise your workload. You will be required to work as part of a multidisciplinary team, including Screeners, Graders, Ophthalmologists, Administration staff and Primary Care Healthcare professionals.
The Gloucestershire Diabetic Eye Screening Programme consists of a team of just over 30 members of staff. We are a busy department providing Diabetic Eye Screening in a variety of clinical setting across Gloucestershire.
We work closely with several other teams including the Ophthalmic Imaging Team, Gloucestershire Retinal Research Group and Gloucestershire Retinal education Group.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Some knowledge of ophthalmic imaging or Diabetic Eye Screening will be desired. Successful applicants will be expected to work towards the diploma in Diabetic Eye Screening and must complete the qualification within 2 years of start date as well as meeting specific milestones to completing the qualification during this time.
• Must have current full UK driving license and be able to drive the department vehicles.
• Must have two A ‘levels or equivalent qualification, one of which should be in a relevant subject, such as but not limited to, Biology, Science or Photography.
• Basic knowledge of all aspects of diabetic retinopathy disease, sufficient to enable post holder to indicate images that are disease positive.
• Good all round knowledge of diabetes and associated risk factors.
• Ability to communicate effectively within a multidisciplinary team both Trust-wide and nationally and with diabetic patients in a calm, sensitive, reassuring and persuasive way.
• Enhanced levels of dexterity and accuracy pertaining to clinical skills including the use of diagnostic equipment i.e. fundus cameras and direct ophthalmoscopes in the direct examination of patients’ eyes.
• Ability to work using own initiative, efficiently and professionally in county-wide General Practice Surgeries.
• Enhanced IT skills including experience of windows based software, capture and grading software for diagnostic purposes and Microsoft word.
• An up to date knowledge and understanding of key professional developments and recommended good practice
• Demonstrate understanding of research based practice, and participate as required in audit.
• Ability to respond flexibly, resourcefully and using department policies issues occur, e.g. when equipment fails in outreach clinics whilst maintaining a calm environment for patients present.

Ability to work without direct supervision in General Practice, often under pressure, on rare occasions with no guidance from peers, senior team members or the departmental managers, whilst maintaining a high standard of patient care, safety, education and time management. Responsibility for handling patient images and data and prioritising time to ensure timely transfer of data to ensure the service meets national standards. To remain focused and resourceful in adverse working conditions so that technical problems can be analyzed and solved.
Post holder will be required to work up to two Saturdays per month instead of a normal working day and up to two late clinics per week.