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Job summary

Main area
Health Care Support Worker, Surgical speciality
Grade
Band 2 or Band 3
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Part time - 30 hours per week (Long Days)
Job ref
153-SU06885
Employer
University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Royal Bournemouth Hospital
Town
Bournemouth
Salary
pa pr
Closing
19/10/2026 23:59
Interview date
30/10/2026

Employer heading

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust logo

Health Care Support Worker - Eye Ward and Eye Day Surgery

Band 2 or Band 3

As University Hospitals Dorset we are a three site acute trust with ‘university hospital’ status through our partnership with Bournemouth University, working with an annual budget of £730m.

We offer highly regarded health services, employing some 10,000 staff. Our ambitious £500m transformation programme is well on the way to delivering state-of-the-art facilities over the next two years to meet the current and future healthcare needs of the populations we serve.

In an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with over seven miles of sandy beaches you’ll find inspirational opportunities to achieve your perfect work/life balance. With the New Forest and the Purbecks on our doorstep, we’re also less than three hours from London by road or train. The thriving towns of Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch give way to idyllic villages and unspoilt landscapes just minutes from our hospitals.

We believe that having a diverse workforce, and allowing people to be themselves, is essential in ensuring we offer an inclusive, welcoming and productive place to work.

We especially welcome applications from minority groups in the community who may be underrepresented in our workforce. 

At UHD our active staff network groups are the Women's Network, Black Asian Minority Ethnic Group (BAME), Pride Network, European (EU), Pro Ability Staff Network, and the Armed Forces Support Group.

As a Trust we are proudly signed up to the Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant guaranteed interview schemes.

We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support the preparation of their application. While this is not discouraged, we kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of your own experience and suitability. Personal integrity is an important part of the recruitment process.

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a caring, enthusiastic, and motivated Healthcare Assistant to join our friendly Eye Ward and Eye Day Case Unit team.

As a Healthcare Assistant, you will play a vital role in supporting the delivery of high-quality ophthalmic care to patients undergoing a wide range of eye treatments and surgical procedures. Working alongside registered nurses, ophthalmologists, and the wider multidisciplinary team, you will contribute to providing a safe, welcoming, and efficient patient experience.

Whether you have previous healthcare experience or are looking to develop your career within a specialist clinical area, this role offers excellent opportunities for learning and professional development.

Interview date: 30th October 2026

Main duties of the job

Main Duties and Responsibilities

  • Assist in delivering high standards of patient-centred care.
  • Support patients with their personal care needs while promoting dignity and independence.
  • Record and monitor routine observations, escalating concerns appropriately.
  • Assist with patient admissions, discharges, and transfers.
  • Prepare patients for ophthalmic procedures and surgery.
  • Support the nursing team in maintaining a safe and clean clinical environment.
  • Ensure equipment and consumables are stocked and readily available.
  • Provide reassurance and support to patients and relatives throughout their hospital journey.
  • Maintain accurate patient documentation in line with Trust policies.

Working for our organisation

UHD are investing, developing and transforming Trust services in line with the New Hospital Programme. As part of this, some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or permanently. Recruiting Managers will be happy to answer any service-specific questions at interview. 

If a role or service relocates as part of a planned move, excess mileage will not be reimbursed. Travel from home to the new work base will be classed as a normal commute. Any other changes will be managed under Trust or national terms and conditions. 

UHD has active networks including Women’s, DEN, Pride, EU, Pro Ability, and Armed Forces. We support Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant interview schemes. 

AI tools may be used, but applications must honestly reflect your own skills and experience. Integrity is key to our recruitment process 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To understand the role in more detail please read the full job description and person specification documents which are attached to this advert.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Good standard of general education including numeracy and literacy
Desirable criteria
  • NVQ Level 2 in care or customer serives

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of working in a team under appropriate supervision.
  • Able to demonstrate an understanding of principles of effective customer care.
  • Good basic hygiene skills
Desirable criteria
  • Previous experience of working within a care environment/NHS
  • Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team
  • Experience of working with the public

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Knowledge of when to seek advice and refer to a registered care professional.
  • Able to listen to advice from colleagues and understanding the importance of promoting health and well-being

Technical skills and competencies

Essential criteria
  • Ability to communicate clearly and effectively (to understand and be understood)
  • Ability to follow clear instruction and feed back to senior staff. Ability to work as part of a team, as well as on own initiative.
  • IT literate
Desirable criteria
  • Understanding of basic physiology e.g. normal vital signs, fluid balance, nutritional requirements etc.
  • Manual handling of patients using lifting aids

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Disability Confident - two yearsUHD ValuesApprenticeships logoArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.Step into health

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

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Marc Oborza
Job title
Charge Nurse; Eye Ward and Eye Day Case
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0300 019 6062
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