Ophthalmic Technician

at  Stockport NHS Foundation Trust

The post holder will contribute to the provision of a technical service across the ophthalmology sub-specialities and virtual clinics within a modern NHS service including assessment of visual acuity, ishihara, instillation of eye medication under guidance of a PSG, visual field assessment, optical tomography (OCT), Wide field photography, and i-care pressure, as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Under supervision, build your knowledge and acquire skills to competently undertake visual fields, ocular tomography (OCT) and wide field imaging alongside other tests and scans, visual acuity testing and instillation of eye drops following a PSG in both the imaging and ophthalmology clinics including virtual clinics. Undertake additional training if /when appropriate.
To gain competency in taking venous blood samples, blood pressure, pulse, temperature, blood sugar level, and oxygen saturation levels with accurate recording and escalating any abnormalities to senior member of staff where appropriate.
To assist with the administration of booking emergency patients alongside a triage nurse, using the digital hospital bookings system.
Working across SHH and locally off site
We hold a unique position in the Stockport community as the provider of healthcare and we are one of its largest employers.
We believe that the best organisations are those that reflect the communities they serve. We are therefore seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce to make it truly representative of our local population.
We actively encourage applications irrespective of race, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage & civil partnership, or pregnancy or maternity. Recognising those communities that are underrepresented within our workforce, we would particularly welcome applications from you.
If you require support with your application please contact a member of the recruitment team, who can discuss alternative application methods.
We recognise that flexible working is important. We take requests for flexible working seriously, consider any request we receive and try to work with you, so we can explore if your request may fit with the needs of the service.

Under supervision, build your knowledge and acquire skills to competently undertake visual fields, ocular tomography (OCT) and wide field imaging alongside other tests scans, visual acuity testing and instillation of eye drops following a PSG in both the imaging and ophthalmology clinics including virtual clinics. Undertake additional training if /when appropriate.
To gain competency in taking venous blood samples, blood pressure, pulse, temperature, blood sugar level, and oxygen saturation levels with accurate recording and escalating any abnormalities to senior member of staff where appropriate.
To assist with the administration of booking emergency patients alongside a triage nurse, using the digital hospital bookings system
To communicate effectively with patients and their carers regarding examinations they are to undertake.
To demonstrate a courteous and helpful approach to patients, relatives and visitors.
To be the first point of contact for telephone enquiries and patients arriving at triage reception.
To maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
To liaise with the interpreter service for non-English speaking patients, co-ordinating interpreter services and appointment times.
To handle effectively patient complaints re- waiting times, appointments, liaising with senior staff regarding this.
To liaise with lead triage nurse and inform template team regarding under/overbooked clinics, cancelled timeslots, orthoptics and visual field cancellations on the emergency clinics.
To participate fully as a team member sharing knowledge and information and supporting colleagues to promote a cohesive team and achieve the teams objectives.
Measure and record routine observations of temperature /blood pressure /pulse/oxygen saturation levels and escalate concerns to senior staff members where observed.
To assist in the delivery of care to meet individual patient needs, maintaining patient’s privacy, dignity and respect at all times whilst promoting independence such as maintaining patient’s personal hygiene needs, and moving and handling of those with mobility issues.
Escort patients to other wards and departments.
To organise and prioritise own workload on virtual and general ophthalmic clinics to meet deadlines, at times working under pressure and single-handedly.
To maintain links with other departments, allowing smooth inter-departmental working.
To liaise with other departments, GP’s and opticians in ensuring referral letters / notes are accessible for clinics to provide best patient care.
To cancel/suspend clinics/timeslots when required and be involved in the planning and organisation of clinics.
To cancel casualty clinics when clinicians have annual leave / study leave when requested on the rota.
To maintain and monitor stock levels of clinic consumables and ordering on NHS supply chain, and unit 4, and to report any deficit of stock to senior nurses.
To organise returns for incorrect deliveries.
To report and liaise with estates/EBME departments regarding repairs of equipment and facilities.
To report and liaise with computer department regarding computer problems /phone/dictation and orders.
To ensure accuracy and attention to detail when inputting patient details into computer and all clinical equipment systems.
To comment on relevant local SOPs and policies around the delivery of all ophthalmic services where required for the development of such as requested by Line Manager/ nurses.
To attend team meetings when requested by ward manager
To supervise and teach ophthalmic technician skills for newcomers to the role and to sign competencies where appropriate.
To ensure that patient information on paper, IT equipment and scanning equipment are all kept confidential. Ensuring scanning machines are set up and shut down as per manufacturers guidance.
To participate in departmental teaching sessions and audit as and when necessary.
To take responsibility for own learning and development in the role, both mandatory and role specific.
Frequent requirement for moderate physical effort.
Frequent requirement for concentration.
Able to respond to unpredictable work pattern and interruptions.
Safeguarding
All Stockport Foundation Trust employees are required to act in such a way that at all times safeguards and promotes the health and well-being of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Familiarisation with and adherence to the policies and procedures relating to child protection and safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults are adhered to. It is the responsibility of all staff to report any concerns and they must therefore be aware of child and adult safeguarding procedures and who to contact within the Trust for further help and guidance. It is an essential requirement of all employees as is participation in mandatory safeguarding training in accordance with the employees roles and responsibilities.
Prevention
To actively work with patients/clients/service users to identify appropriate opportunities in Making Every Contact Count for preventative interventions which may reduce the risk of future harm to health and wellbeing and to provide brief advice and refer or signpost to sources of further information and support which may include advice on lifestyle behaviour and social care needs as well as safety and management of long term conditions.
Data Protection, Confidentiality and Information Governance
The post holder must abide by all relevant Trust and departmental policies including information governance, confidentiality and data protection and, undertake the annual data security awareness mandatory training. The post holder is reminded that any breach of the Trust’s information governance and security policies and procedures, including data protection legislation, will result in disciplinary action.
Data Protection Legislation – the post holder is required to process all personal data relating to patients and staff, whether in paper, electronic or other media, in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), ensuring the security and confidentiality of data at all times.
The post holder must not for their own benefit or gain, or to divulge to any persons, firm or other organisation whatsoever, any confidential information belonging to the Trust or relating to the Trust’s affairs or dealings which may come to their knowledge during employment.
Health & Safety
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Trust has a statutory responsibility to provide and maintain a healthy and safe environment for its staff to work in. Equally the post holder is required to work within the Trust Health & Safety Policy and fulfil a proactive role towards the management and control of risk. This entails the identification, assessment and the immediate reporting, using the Trust Incident Reporting System, any incident, accident, hazard or near miss involving patients, service users, carers, staff, contractors or members of the public.
The Post holder has a personal responsibility to adhere to a statutory and departmental duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work
Harassment & Bullying
As a member of staff you have a personal responsibility to ensure you do not discriminate, harass or bully or contribute to the discrimination, harassment or bullying of any colleague(s) or visitors or condone discrimination, harassment or bullying by others.
Dignity & Respect
All employees have a duty to promote a harmonious working environment in which all persons are treated with dignity and respect, whilst fulfilling our legal obligations under equality legislation and associated codes of practice.
The Trust takes the right of the patient/service user to be treated with dignity and respect seriously. We will treat every patient/service user and carer as a valued individual, with respect for his/ her dignity and privacy. Our aim is to give each patient/service user the care we would want for our families and ourselves.
Quality Improvement
Our mission is to make a difference every day helping people to live their best lives. We have a trustwide approach to quality improvement and we expect everyone to contribute to improving our services by always learning and continually improving our services. For all staff, it is about learning from what has worked well as well as what has not, being open to change and improvement and working in smarter and more focused ways to improve our services. The Trust encourages and provides opportunities for staff at all levels to engage in the Trust’s approach to quality through quality improvement projects, clinical audit, innovation and quality assurance.
No Smoking Policy
The Trust operates a No Smoking Policy which states that smoking is prohibited within all Trust premises and on the site. This includes entrances, exits, cars, lease cars, car parks, pavements and walkways, areas hidden from general view and residences. As an employee of the Trust you are expected to comply with this policy, failure to do so may result in disciplinary action being taken under the Trust’s Disciplinary Policy & Procedure.
To undertake any other duties which is deemed appropriate to the band when requested by Senior Staff