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Job summary

Main area
Ophthalmology
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 3
Contract
Fixed term: 12 months (matenity cover)
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (some weekend and evening working on a rota basis)
Job ref
249- 8176066
Employer
Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Ophthalmology OPD Great Western Hospital
Town
Swindon
Salary
£25,760 - £27,476 Per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
12/08/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Ophthalmic technician

NHS AfC: Band 3

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is a unique organisation, serving as the sole integrated provider in the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire system. Our scope extends beyond boundaries as we oversee adult community services in Swindon and provide acute care from the Great Western Hospital. 

Our 5,500 staff have 1.2m patient contacts a year, with 13,000 operations carried out in our Theatres, around 4,000 babies born, and our emergency attendances are now well over 100,000 per year. Those numbers only tell part of our story about what an exciting time it is to join Great Western Hospitals.

We are cultivating a culture that fosters our ambitions, prioritising equality, diversion, inclusion, wellbeing, and leadership. We aim to create an environment where every member of our team can truly thrive.

Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used, then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.

If we receive a high volume of applications, we may close adverts prior to the published closing date. Therefore, we advise you to complete and submit your application as soon as possible.

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Ophthalmic Technician to join our friendly and supportive Ophthalmology team on a fixed-term basis to cover maternity leave.

You will undertake a range of diagnostic tests, including visual acuity assessments and OCT imaging, supporting clinicians and nurses in the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of eye conditions.

This role is ideal for someone with ophthalmic experience who is looking to further develop their skills and knowledge within a specialist service. You will work closely with nurses, clinicians and consultants to provide an excellent patient experience and support patients throughout their care pathway.

37.5 hours per week, including evenings and weekends as required.

 

At the time of advertising, this role does not meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. For this reason, we are unable to sponsor anyone for a skilled worker visa for this role.

We are happy to accept applications from candidates who can prove their right to work in the UK or via alternative visa routes. Such applications will be considered alongside all other applications.

 

Main duties of the job

Supporting with diagnostic tests to allow the clinicians to make a clinical diagnosis and treatment plans, Visual acuity testing , visions , OCTs

1.        To participate in skills training and assessment prior to undertaking additional roles

2.        To attend in-service training and support meetings where provided. Participation in clinical governance meetings

3.        To care for and be responsible for the maintenance of equipment used within the Outpatient clinic including Humphrey Visual Field Analyser data transfer.

4.        To undertake basic clerical and housekeeping duties as directed by the Department Manager.

5.        To carry out a range of clinical duties with minimal / no supervision once trained and competent, including for example, blood pressure monitoring, oxygen saturation levels, body temperature, pulse rate and respiration rate, glucose monitoring, safe use of the hoist, always ensuring delivery of high quality patient care. NB: this list is not exhaustive and will vary depending on your area of work.

 

Working for our organisation

We are proud to be part of BSW Hospitals Group – a formal partnership between Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust and Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust. With a combined workforce of over 17, 600 colleagues, and budget of 1.6 billion the Group is united by a common purpose to deliver the best possible care to over 1 million people.

We are creating a health and care system that works with the people we care for, reducing the differences people currently face in access, experience and outcomes, improving the experience of our colleagues and tackling shared challenges like sustainability and finances. Every improvement we make across our Group will be guided by what creates the greatest benefit for our colleagues, our patients, our communities and our partners.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1.       To carry out Visual Field testing to a high standard, ensuring the individual needs of patients are met, maintaining the patients’ dignity and privacy, always acting in the patients’ best interests.

2.       Testing and recording of visual acuity

3.       Instillation of eye drops following completing a competency course under supervision of the medical staff.

4.       Taking images using the Ocular Coherence Tomographer (OCT

5.       To carry out such basic procedures as are delegated by trained members of staff and which have been taught, subsequently supervised and in which the ophthalmic technician has proved him or herself competent. These may include pachymetry, measurement of glasses using the focimeter and measuring a patient’s refractive status using an auto refractor.

7.       To assist the out of hours Eye team with emergency patients, including setting/ clearing up the department.

Further details can be found on the attached Job Description

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • GCSE in English and Maths (or equivalent skill level)
Desirable criteria
  • NVQ 3

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Good communication skills – able to communicate verbally and in writing to staff, patients, and relatives
  • Able to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team
  • Able to build effective working relationships with staff and colleagues
Desirable criteria
  • Willing to undertake and complete Care certificate & observational training

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveDisability confident leaderInvestors in People: GoldCare Leaver CovenantStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.Step into healthArmed Forces Covenant

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Jess Mason
Job title
Senior Sister
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07971854345
Additional information

Tim Vines  lead specialist nurse  [email protected]

Karen Walker  Sister  [email protected]

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