Retinal Screener Grader

Job overview

An opportunity has arisen for a Retinal Screener Grader to join our progressive team at the Liverpool & North Mersey Diabetic Eye Screening Programme (LNMDESP).

You will be based at the Royal Liverpool site and delivering retinal screening clinics at various locations throughout the LNMDESP catchment and grading retinal images to national standards.

We are looking for a reliable person who is able to pay attention to detail.  You will have the Level 3 diploma for health screeners (screening modules) or previous City & Guilds qualification. Experience / qualification of grading is desirable.  You will demonstrate excellent communication skills, a caring manner with all ages and abilities and be able to empathise with and support patients and team members.

Main duties of the job

To screen and grade eligible people with diabetes in the Liverpool and North Mersey Diabetic Eye Screening Programme cohort according to national standards as specified in: NHS public health functions agreement 2019-20 (england.nhs.uk)

The responsibilities of the screener include:

• explaining the test procedure to the people with diabetes and obtaining consent
• undertaking visual acuity checks
• instilling eye drops
• taking digital images

The responsibilities of the grader include grading each digital image according to national standards.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Ensure the patient understands the process, is fully prepared for screening and consent is obtained

Provide patients with written and verbal information about diabetic eye screening and diabetic eye disease

Measure and record visual acuity using appropriate tests (Snellen, Logmar or Near Vision)

Instil dilating eyedrops in accordance with standard operating procedure Acquire digital photographic retinal images according to national standards. Photography is subject to quality assurance

Acquire retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans

Accurately and legibly record test results and clinical information in electronic patient case notes using the screening software system ‘OptoMize’

Grade digital images at primary, secondary and arbitration levels

Implement patient management plan in accordance with grading findings

Seek guidance when required from a senior member of staff Prepare clinics for retinal screening

Manage own clinical workload

Call own patients through from the screening clinic waiting area

Update patient demographic records using the OptoMize system

Ensure a safe working environment in the screening venue, reporting any risks, incidents, near misses in line with Trust policy and escalating these to a member of the operational team

Escalate any screening equipment or IT system faults to a member of the operational team

Monitor stock levels of consumables, escalating any low levels to a member of the operational team

Demonstrate own role to others, supporting the orientation of new staff May be required to drive the service van to community clinics and assist the operational team in setting up screening equipment

May be required to co-ordinate ambulance transport for patients Attend regular staff meetings

Undertake other administrative duties as specified by the Programme Manager Clinical Governance / Quality

Assist in clinical audit and patient satisfaction surveys

Suggest changes to improve services within the screening programme Retinal screener grader staff are encouraged to undertake voluntary registration with the Academy for Healthcare Science (ACHS) Undertake and pass grading modules of the Level 3 diploma for health screeners (unless attained the previous City & Guilds diabetic eye screening qualification)

Undertake monthly national ‘Test and Training’ grading exercise Take personal responsibility for keeping up to date and competent in the skills required for this post

Attend MDT teaching meetings

Undertake further training / qualifications as appropriate to role To train and provide clinical supervision to screening staff undertaking the Level 3 diploma for health screeners

To assist in providing retinal screening and grading teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels for various disciplines within St Paul’s Division, social service and voluntary agency staff

Retinal screening staff are encouraged to become a member of the British Association of Retinal Screeners (BARS)