Job summary
- Main area
- Ophthalmology
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 418-OPHT5091-VR
- Employer
- Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Luton and Dunstable Hospital
- Town
- Luton
- Salary
- £24,071 - £25,674 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 04/04/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Ophthalmic Imaging Technician
NHS AfC: Band 3
Job overview
This is an exciting opportunity to join a continuously developing and growing ophthalmology department at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital as an Ophthalmic Imaging Technician. The department is equipped with the latest high-quality imaging devices and utilises the mediSIGHT EPR system, integrating and networking our diagnostic equipment to enhance patient care.
The post holder will support the delivery of high-quality ophthalmic imaging services, capturing diagnostic images using specialised equipment to aid in the detection, diagnosis, and monitoring of eye conditions.
Main duties of the job
Provide high-quality OCT imaging tests to assist in the diagnosis and monitoring of various ocular conditions.
Conduct visual acuity assessments to evaluate patients’ eyesight using standardised testing protocols.
Perform Humphrey visual field tests to assess peripheral vision and detect visual field defects.
Operate and record measurements using auto-refractors to determine objective refractive errors.
Measure intraocular pressure (IOP) using ORA G3.
Work flexibly across the main hospital site and community-based diagnostic clinics.
Working for our organisation
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology.
Our Values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Provide optical coherence imaging at the main site including the Trust’s outreach clinics and private patient’s clinics. There may be an occasional requirement of providing support out of normal working hours.
Provide testing for visual acuity, Humphrey visual field, auto refractor, intraocular pressure. This will require:
a. Good communication skills to facilitate transfer of complex information to patients regarding ophthalmic testing including negotiation, motivational and persuasive skills as patient co-operation is needed for high quality results(especially when there are barriers to understanding e.g. for children undergoing imaging or language difficulties in adults).
b. Well-developed physical skills (manual dexterity) to fulfil duties. These are needed to capture high quality images during optical coherence imaging.
c. To undertake focimetry (automated) to ensure accuracy of visual field testing.
d. Adjust the OCT setting appropriately and trouble shoots any camera/hardware issues that arise before reporting any problems according to Trust procedure.
e. Be competent in the use of software systems (e.g. IPM, Zeiss, Heidelberg) to enable smooth running of the clinics and accurate patient care.
f. Responsibility for the safe use of expensive and highly complex imaging equipment
Follow established departmental policies for imaging techniques and be guided by standard operating procedures and good practice when performing imaging tasks but refer to Medical Retina Consultants or other members of the team for reference.
Continuously review work to maintain and improve quality of imaging performed.
Identify the knowledge and skills needed for successful personal development.
There is a frequent requirement for sitting in a restricted position for a substantial proportion of the working time whilst performing imaging task.
Provide and encourage the completion of the patient questionnaire feedback form
Carry out simple maintenance of equipment.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- GCSE / NVQ
Desirable criteria
- BTEC / Ophthalmic Certificates
Experience
Essential criteria
- Working with general public
Desirable criteria
- Working within an Healthcare / Ophthalmic Setting
Communication
Essential criteria
- Clear and concise verbal and written skills
- Good interpersonal skills
- Ability to follow instructions and give clear feedback
Desirable criteria
- Problem solving
Skills & Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Good observational skills
- Numerate and Literate
- Computer literate
- Health and Safety
- Customer Service
Desirable criteria
- Excel
- IT and Networking knowledge
- Information Governance
- Ophthalmic Imaging Techniques
Personal Skills
Essential criteria
- Reliable
- Flexibility
- Professional
- Honesty
- Positivity
- Resilience
Desirable criteria
- Adaptability
- Use own Initiative
Physical / Mental Effort
Essential criteria
- Prolonged periods of standing or sitting while operating imaging equipment.
- Precise hand-eye coordination for capturing high-quality ophthalmic images.
- Assisting patients with mobility issues, including guiding them to and from the imaging equipment.
- Occasional moving and adjusting of equipment.
- Working in dim lighting conditions for certain imaging procedures.
- Paying close attention to detail to ensure image accuracy and quality.
- Managing multiple patient appointments and adapting to changing clinic demands.
- Retaining and applying technical knowledge of various imaging modalities.
- Communicating effectively with patients, some of whom may have cognitive or communication difficulties.
Desirable criteria
- Problem solving when equipment malfunctions or unexpected clinical situations arise.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Roland De Souza
- Job title
- Senior Ophthalmic Imaging Technician
- Email address
- [email protected]
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