Senior HCA/Associate Ophthalmic Vision Science Practitioner

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YOU MAKE US MORE

Join Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

At Moorfields, people's sight matters-and so do the people who make it possible.

For over 200 years, Moorfields has been at the forefront of ophthalmic care, research, and education. With more than 2,300 dedicated team members and over 700,000 patients seen annually across our City Road site and 22 networked sites, we are proud to be a global centre of excellence.

We're also a vibrant community where kindness, equity and excellence shape every aspect of our work. Whether it's pioneering research through our partnership with UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre or training the next generation of global eye care leaders, we're united by one mission-delivering world-class eye health, sustainably and at scale.

And we're just getting started.

Construction is well underway on our groundbreaking new centre in Camden, a joint initiative between Moorfields Eye Hospital, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Charity This modern, flexible facility will bring together eye care, research, and education under one roof-enabling transformative innovation and collaboration like never before.

Could you be part of this future? Make us more.

Job overview

Ophthalmic Vision Science (OVS) Associates are an integral part of the patient pathway at Moorfields and pivotal to our clinical services.

The OVS Associate is part of a multi-professional team. The role involves using a range of highly specialised technology and imaging equipment to take various images of the eyes and collect data such as eye pressures and visual field data. OVS Associates also support the patients with their needs, either directly or by escalating appropriately. This enables clinicians to make important decisions in the care and treatment of our patients.

As an OVS Associate you may be the first person will see and therefore it is important to in still the Trust Values within your everyday working practices.

Our OVS Associates are individuals with a real passion for providing high quality healthcare to our patients. The role is the perfect position for those who want to make a real difference to people's lives.

As an OVS Associate and developing your initial imaging experience, OVS Associates will be expected to have learnt and confidently perform all retinal fundus imaging, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), OCT wide-field/anterior segment imaging, OCT-Angiography, visual fields testing static/kinetic and external studio photography. Individual is expected to be trained and be able to undertake Fundus Fluorescein Angiography .

Main duties of the job

To deliver the diagnostic service you will:

a. Ensure good communication (verbal and non-verbal) with patients regarding their Imaging investigations.

b. To be competent in undertaking a routine and non-routine ophthalmic imaging procedure on medical devise, the provision of clinical work and any related tasks following formal training under Moorfields Ophthalmic Vision Science practitioners technical competency framework and where needed provide appropriate support for newly appointed staff.

c. Have a sound understanding and the theoretical knowledge of a range of routine and non-routine Ophthalmic imaging procedures.

d. Be able to make judgements involving a range of facts which require analysis and comparison to optimise images obtained during Retinal Photography, OCT, OCT Angiography and Autofluorescence (e.g. strategies to overcome small pupils, eye movement, cataract, blinking or a combination of these during Imaging).

e. Following the completion of training and confirmation of competency in practice, administer prescribed eye drops to patients in accordance with trust policy, being aware of contra-indications and side effects.

f. Be responsible for the safe use of expensive and highly complex imaging equipment.

Working for our organisation

What's in it for You?

At Moorfields, we invest in you-your growth, your wellbeing, your future.
You'll join a flexible, supportive organisation offering:
• Competitive salary
• Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme
• 24/7 independent counselling support
• Career-long learning and development opportunities
• Excellent transport connections
• Access to NHS and Blue Light discount schemes
• Free Pilates classes
• Full support and training to develop your skills

And so much more! To see the full range of benefits we offer please view our Moorfields benefits leaflet.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Provide Diagnostic Imaging Services.

To deliver this diagnostic service you will:

a. Ensure good communication (verbal and non-verbal) with patients regarding their Imaging investigations.

b. To be competent in undertaking a routine and non-routine ophthalmic imaging procedure on medical devise, the provision of clinical work and any related tasks following formal training under Moorfields Ophthalmic Vision Science practitioners technical competency framework and where needed provide appropriate support for newly appointed staff.

c. Have a sound understanding and the theoretical knowledge of a range of routine and non-routine Ophthalmic imaging procedures.

d. Be able to make judgements involving a range of facts which require analysis and comparison to optimise images obtained during Retinal Photography, OCT, OCT Angiography and Autofluorescence (e.g. strategies to overcome small pupils, eye movement, cataract, blinking or a combination of these during Imaging).

e. Following the completion of training and confirmation of competency in practice, administer prescribed eye drops to patients in accordance with trust policy, being aware of contra-indications and side effects.

Be responsible for the safe use of expensive and highly complex imaging equipment.

3. Respond appropriately to emergency situations.

4. Give clear and concise explanation and test instructions to ensure maximum patient understanding and co-operation, considering patients who have visual impairment, hearing loss, physical or mental disabilities, learning difficulties, different age groups, cultural differences and non-English speaking patients.

5. Observe and report to senior staff any change in a patients physical and psychological condition, ensuring any safeguarding concerns are raised with supervisor. Support families and carers when bad news has been shared.

6. Be an active participant in providing education and health promotion advice to patients and their carer.

Person specification

Good written and spoken English language

Essential criteria

• Maths and English
• Ophthalmic Clinic setting Experience
• Ophthalmic Imaging Experience

Desirable criteria

• Good IT Knowledge
• At least 1 year working in an Ophthalmic environment
• Care Certificate

People Management and Development

Essential criteria

• Work well within a team as well as autonomously.
• Ability to lead team and monitor competencies
• Understand the process of conflict resolution.

Desirable criteria

• Able to Manage own mandatory training and express learning requirements using the appraisal system
• Auditing Experience
• Comprehensive use of Microsoft IT Packages

Personal Qualities

Essential criteria

• Ability to be flexible to the needs of the service
• Knowledge and understanding of anatomy, physiology and pathology of the eye

Desirable criteria

• Demonstrate ability to reassure and support patients through their pathway
• Shares Trust Values Excellence Equity and Kindness

Due to the nature of this position, employment is subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK, completion of a satisfactory DBS disclosure and two references. We do not offer visa sponsorship for roles unless clearly stated in our adverts, so please consider this before applying.

Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion is at the heart of our organisational culture. As part of our pledge to take positive action in recruitment we encourage applications from under-represented candidates including BAME (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic) and Disabled candidates as we work towards a representative workforce that is able to provide the quality, the dignity and respect and to deliver above and beyond.

Moorfields is a flexible working friendly organisation, and we are committed to helping our employees achieve a work-life balance that is beneficial for health and wellbeing, motivation levels and job satisfaction. Every employee of the Trust has the right to request to work flexibly. Please speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.

If we receive sufficient applications, we will close this ad prior to the closing date. You are advised not to delay submitting your completed application.

If you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments before applying or would like an accessible version of any recruitment documents, please contact the recruitment team at moorfields.recruitment@nhs.net.

https://www.moorfields.nhs.uk/work-for-us

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

• OVS/HCA Band 4 (PDF, 328.6KB)
• Staff Benefits (PDF, 865.7KB)
• MEH Privacy Notice (PDF, 138.0KB)