Ophthalmic Photographer

at  Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced full time Ophthalmic Photographer to join our Imaging Team within a rapidly expanding and friendly Ophthalmology department.
The post holder will be responsible for providing a variety of detailed Ophthalmic Imaging for diagnosis across Mid Cheshire Hospital FT sites.
Applicants must already demonstrate extensive skills in Ophthalmic Imaging or Medical Photography, which have been developed through another NHS Trust or via the completion of a progressive trainee ophthalmic photographer role at MCHT, or similar junior position within the NHS.
You will demonstrate an enhanced level of decision making, and be able to take on a deputised role within the Imaging Team alongside the Senior Ophthalmic Photographer.
The post holder will be expected to communicate with a wide range of professionals, Consultants, Doctors, Orthoptic and nursing staff and patients/relatives, organising own workload to maintain an efficient and professional service.
You will also maintain a CPD folder constructed from day-to-day activities, internal learning and external enrolment courses related to ophthalmology and photography in a medical setting.
Predominantly your place of work will be Victoria Infirmary Northwich (VIN). However, there will be times when imaging cover is required for Leighton Hospital, Crewe, for which you will be required to make your own transport arrangements to cover these clinics.
Deliver high quality imaging such as, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and advanced OCT-A imaging, Fundus Fluorescein Angiography (FFA), Indocyanine Green Angiography (ICG) Visual Fields (Humphrey), Pentacam, Biometry and Facial photography on patients using appropriate equipment, explaining the procedure clearly to the patient/relative/carer and delivering results to the clinician for interpretation.
To provide a specialised colour fundus and anterior segment imaging service including high magnification, stereo and wide field protocols, including ultra-wide field imaging such as Optos/Clarus.
To be aware of any unusual test results and take appropriate action, making relevant decisions which may adjust medical requests accordingly to ensure images best represent the diagnosis and information required.
To ensure images are of a high quality to inform diagnosis and treatment of patients.
To perform Visual acuity tests using multiple forms of acuity charts as appropriate.
Involve patients, relatives / carers in the delivery of care, providing reassurance and support to assist their understanding and co-operation.
To demonstrate advanced competency and expertise in using all technical equipment. As technology/equipment evolves the role will expand to include usage of new technologies - training will be provided where required.
Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides a full range of hospital and community services for people across East Cheshire (population 399K) and West Cheshire and Chester (population 357K). The Trust provides high quality planned and emergency care, cardiac, critical care, child health, maternity services and intermediate care at Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Victoria Infirmary in Northwich, and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre in Winsford.
The Trust provides over 500 beds and employs over 5,100 members of staff. A comprehensive range of community services is provided across 26 medical centres and schools through our Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership.
We have played, and continue to play, a proactive role in the development of Integrated Care plans across Cheshire & Merseyside and our local Cheshire East and Cheshire West Place-based systems. We believe, and it is the cornerstone of our five-year Trust Strategy, there is the opportunity to progress innovative, responsive and effective care in the best setting for the patient, be it in the hospital or out in the community.
At Mid Cheshire, our mission is to inspire hope and provide unparalleled care for the people and communities of Cheshire, helping them to enjoy life to the fullest.
We welcome all applicants and assess all job applications based on knowledge, skills and experience needed for the post.
Deliver high quality imaging such as, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and advanced OCT-A imaging, Fundus Fluorescein Angiography (FFA), Indocyanine Green Angiography (ICG) Visual Fields (Humphrey), Pentacam, Biometry and Facial photography on patients using appropriate equipment, explaining the procedure clearly to the patient/relative/carer and delivering results to the clinician for interpretation.
To provide a specialised colour fundus and anterior segment imaging service including high magnification, stereo and wide field protocols, including ultra-wide field imaging such as Optos/Clarus.
To be aware of any unusual test results and take appropriate action, making relevant decisions which may adjust medical requests accordingly to ensure images best represent the diagnosis and information required.
To ensure images are of a high quality to inform diagnosis and treatment of patients.
To undertake ophthalmic research to support doctors with new developments in ophthalmology.
To perform Visual acuity tests using multiple forms of acuity charts as appropriate.
To instil appropriate eye drops as instructed by a registered professional whilst following approved protocols for patient safety.
To demonstrate effective communication skills to ensure adequate patient understanding and compliance with the tests. Some patients have disabilities and / or visual impairment.
Involve patients, relatives / carers in the delivery of care, providing reassurance and support to assist their understanding and co-operation.
Assist the senior photographer with maintenance of imaging equipment, ensuring that any risk management issues are identified.
Prepare the clinical area for safe practice by ensuring that cleanliness is well maintained throughout the immediate team.
Record and store all test results appropriately, ensuring they are securely held, accurate, complete, and legible.
To be able to cope with a variable workload, and to effectively plan, prioritise and manage one’s own time.
To demonstrate advanced competency and expertise in using all technical equipment. As technology/equipment evolves the role will expand to include usage of new technologies - training will be provided where required.
To support fellow and new team members in the use and care of all technical equipment and assist the photographers in a supervisory role when applicable.
To support the Senior Ophthalmic Photographer with deputised roles such as, revalidation of equipment competencies for junior staff and supporting team members via the MCHT Motiv8 performance review sessions.
To undertake virtual ophthalmology clinics (daytime and evenings) and capture and record tests to a high standard and document appropriately using Medisight.
Undertake clerical duties as required during the running of patient clinics.
To participate in departmental audit and clinical audit.
To participate in a multitude of working shift patterns between the working day hours of 08:00am until 20:00pm.
Actively keep an up to date continued professional portfolio (CPD)
Actively work towards achieving qualifications surrounding ophthalmology and/or medical photography for continued professional development (CPD).
Assist the Senior Ophthalmic Photographer with the development and maintenance of an imaging library.
Contribute to the development of relevant protocols for medical imaging/photography for use in the department.
To understand and follow emergency procedures in the event of an adverse reaction from a patient.
Promote the individual needs of the patient, by acknowledging preferences, rights and choices, respecting privacy, dignity, and by promoting anti-discriminatory practice, alerting senior staff if patient care appears to be disrespectful or discriminatory.
Establish and maintain effective communication, maintaining confidentiality of information.
Ensure compliance with Trust policies, procedures and clinical guidelines, alerting senior staff if practice of self and others appear to contravene policy, or if concerned about any aspect of patient care.
Participate in the effective management of risk, by accurate recording and reporting and correct maintenance of records and documentation. Assist the Senior Ophthalmic Photographer to ensure that lessons are learnt from issues arising from risk reports / complaints and that they are promptly and positively addressed.
Assist with the maintenance of systems and processes to continually monitor standards, e.g., benchmarking, audit, and implement action plans to improve quality of services.
Contribute to the content of policies, procedures and guidelines related to own clinical area / practice.
Contribute with the statistical and analytical aspect of Ophthalmic Photography and the progression of service quality and adaptation of acquiring new equipment through progressive clinical funding.

To assist in organising and co-ordinating the day-to-day provision of the imaging service, liaising with the other team leads to deploy staff effectively for the optimum benefit of patients.
Imaging cover is across MCHFT, and you will be expected to support any changes as service need is required.
Contribute to the development of services from the patients’ perspective, making suggestions for change and improvements, including taking part in patient and public involvement activities.
To always maintain a professional attitude, developing the role in the best interests of the patient and department
Contribute to the effective and efficient use of resources by ensuring that supplies are available, alerting senior staff when supplies are short, and by making suggestions to reduce waste.
Promote, monitor and maintain a healthy, safe and secure working environment, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, reporting any concerns to senior staff.
Manage their own workload on a daily basis to meet the demands of the service, deputising for the Clinical Lead when required.
To have the knowledge of all aspects of the working of the Ophthalmic Imaging Team, both clerical and technical, and understand the complexities associated with the delivery of the Imaging service.
To assist in ensuring the quality of all photography produced within the department is of a highly professional nature and in accordance with departmental protocols and procedures.
To be individually responsible for deciding the most appropriate photographic technique to best demonstrate the patients’ condition from the options available – this might include; cross lighting, specialist photographic techniques/equipment e.g., infrared or use of a ‘control’ subject, being mindful of the need for a defined audit trail and the implications for misdiagnosis and potential areas for litigation.
Develop protocols and procedures for the service and interpret Trust Policies for own area of work.
Implementation of protocols etc within own area of work.
Achievement of local and national targets, e.g., waiting times.
Assist with maintenance and upkeep of all equipment liaising with suppliers as necessary.
Assist with monitoring and maintaining adequate levels of all necessary materials in use, ordering when appropriate, checking deliveries, invoices and monitoring of all transactions completed.
To ensure the use and access of digital imaging systems is appropriate and to offer guidance and support on these systems to our service users.
To support junior staff and colleagues.
To work within the AHCS and IMI Professional Code of Conduct and abide by relevant legislation and NHS working practices.
Promoting the Trust’s photographic policy and advising Trust staff on its use.
To ensure that the Trust values are implemented and actioned.
Other duties of a similar nature as determined by the Senior Ophthalmic Photographer.
Ensure a healthy, safe, and secure working environment, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, maintaining accurate documentation, and reporting any concerns