Ophthalmic Theatre Healthcare Support Worker

Job overview

The Ophthalmology Department are recruiting a development post for a Band 3 Ophthalmic Theatre Healthcare Support Worker here at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust.

You will be working together as part of a multidisciplinary, professional team to assist the registered nurses and senior clinical staff in the planning, delivery and evaluation of care; by assisting the nursing staff to improve and maintain high standards of care, health and well-being of patients through assessment, treatment and rehabilitation, within the unit under indirect supervision.

Our staff are committed to providing high standards of individualized care for the people who use our services, whilst maintaining their privacy and dignity at all times. The post holder will provide an efficient specialised support service to patients allocated for theatre. Previous applicants need not apply.

Please note: Priority will be given to applicants with recognised 'Priority' or 'At Risk' status, including NHS staff identified across Devon.

Main duties of the job

• Ophthalmology is a branch of medicine dealing with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases of the eye and visual system. The eye, its surrounding structures and the visual system can be affected by a number of clinical conditions. Eye health services are becoming more and more important as the UK population ages.
• An ageing population means there are more and more incidences of age-related diseases of the eye. These eye diseases can be successfully treated if caught early, and can be managed effectively with existing treatments and medicines.
• As a band 3 Ophthalmic Healthcare Support Worker, you will need to have worked in a hospital environment for a period of twelve months and achieved NVQ level 2. Those candidates who have not had this experience may be employed in a development role at band 2 until all competencies are achieved. As the Ophthalmic Theatre Healthcare Support Worker, you will support the theatre team delivering high quality patient care during the peri - operative time. You will take initiative and be pro active in the daily running of the eye theatre services.
• You will help supervise more junior and new staff to the department sharing your knowledge and experience.
• You will work alongside qualified professionals and participate in the delivery of planned and emergency care.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• As an Ophthalmic Healthcare Support Worker you will exercise an agreed degree of professional autonomy to make judgements and decisions in order to satisfy the expectations and demands of the role. You will need to have an understanding and knowledge of the the anatomy and physiology of the eye to help you perform you role in theatre efficiently.
• You will prioritise own tasks under the direction of appropriate professional. Having an awareness of Ophthalmology care recognising and reporting all adverse findings to the appropriate professional.

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.