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Job summary

Main area
Ophthalmology
Grade
Band 5
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
37.5 hours per week
Job ref
188-HCA010225
Employer
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
OPH Eye Outpatients
Town
Southampton
Salary
£29,970 - £36,483 Per annum - Pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
07/03/2025 23:59
Interview date
17/03/2025

Employer heading

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust logo

Senior Healthcare Assistant

Band 5

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has become available to join our diverse Ophthalmology team as a Senior Healthcare Support Worker.  If you are looking for a fast paced, varied role, utilising excellent communication and patient assessment skills, this could be the role for you.  It is a patient focussed position, working within a large team, supporting patients of all ages including paediatrics and adults.  We are looking for a motivated individual, who leads by example, has high standards and offers excellent patient care.

Main duties of the job

Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting. 

For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the ‘Job Description and Main Responsibilities’ section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached. 

Working for our organisation

University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.

Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast. 

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalizing your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

At UHS we’re committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.

At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognizing that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We’re committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Our service runs 6 days, Monday - Saturday.  Our full time workers enjoy a good work life balance with a 4 day week across the 6 days.  This position is based in Southampton eye unit and can include occasional off site working at our eye clinics held in Lymington.

The candidate will need to have a Level 3 qualification in healthcare.  The role includes but is not limited to, assessing patients visual acuity, understanding the patients pathway, assessing patients holistic needs and planning care as required, instillation of eye drops, cannulation and venesection, supporting and assisting with some specialised paediatric and adult clinics, carrying out some imaging assessments.  Previous ophthalmic experience is not essential, however a devotion to learn and develop is paramount.

As a team we focus on teaching and supporting all new starters, who are provided with buddies to support on the job training. 

All applicants would need to be flexible, empathetic, and passionate. The ability to work well within a team and also independently is required.  We look forward to your applications.

Person specification

Qualifications / training required

Essential criteria
  • NVQ 3 in health and social care or equivalent
  • Numeracy and Literacy skills at level 1 or 2 or equivalent

Previous or relevant experience necessary

Essential criteria
  • Proven experience in a caring role
  • Understanding of an acute hospital setting and the role of the SHCA
Desirable criteria
  • Previous HCA experience
  • Previous experience of working with the general public

Aptitudes and skills required

Essential criteria
  • Literacy and numeracy skills
  • Ability to communicate with a wide range of people
  • Ability to work as a team member
  • Ability to work under own initiative
  • Willingness to undertake further education and training
  • Able to take instruction/direction as required

Trust Values

Essential criteria
  • Patient First
  • Working Together
  • Always Improving

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Care quality commission - GoodDisability confident employerInclusion UK

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

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
Anca Bolovan
Job title
Senior Sister
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0238120 8738
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