Job summary
- Main area
- Ophthalmology
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (out of hours on call commitment)
- Job ref
- 388-7315287-PC&S
- Employer
- Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Torbay
- Town
- Torquay
- Salary
- £24,071 - £25,674 Per Annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 22/07/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Ophthalmic Theatre Healthcare Support Worker
NHS AfC: Band 3
Job overview
The Ophthalmology Department are recruiting a development post for a Band 3 Ophthalmic Theatre Healthcare Support Worker here at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust.
You will be working together as part of a multidisciplinary, professional team to assist the registered nurses and senior clinical staff in the planning, delivery and evaluation of care; by assisting the nursing staff to improve and maintain high standards of care, health and well-being of patients through assessment, treatment and rehabilitation, within the unit under indirect supervision.
Our staff are committed to providing high standards of individualized care for the people who use our services, whilst maintaining their privacy and dignity at all times. The post holder will provide an efficient specialised support service to patients allocated for theatre.
Main duties of the job
- Ophthalmology is a branch of medicine dealing with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases of the eye and visual system. The eye, its surrounding structures and the visual system can be affected by a number of clinical conditions. Eye health services are becoming more and more important as the UK population ages.
- An ageing population means there are more and more incidences of age-related diseases of the eye. These eye diseases can be successfully treated if caught early, and can be managed effectively with existing treatments and medicines.
- As a band 3 Ophthalmic Healthcare Support Worker, you will need to have worked in a hospital environment for a period of twelve months and achieved NVQ level 2. Those candidates who have not had this experience may be employed in a development role at band 2 until all competencies are achieved. As the Ophthalmic Theatre Healthcare Support Worker, you will support the theatre team delivering high quality patient care during the peri - operative time. You will take initiative and be pro active in the daily running of the eye theatre services.
- You will help supervise more junior and new staff to the department sharing your knowledge and experience.
- You will work alongside qualified professionals and participate in the delivery of planned and emergency care.
Working for our organisation
Having a career that is personally rewarding is great. Joining Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust can provide you with a job that provides personal fulfilment, job security and flexibility.
You will be joining a dynamic, multidiscipline team working together to achieve the best outcome for our patients. This role presents the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others by providing care in their time of need.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
- As an Ophthalmic Healthcare Support Worker you will exercise an agreed degree of professional autonomy to make judgements and decisions in order to satisfy the expectations and demands of the role. You will need to have an understanding and knowledge of the the anatomy and physiology of the eye to help you perform you role in theatre efficiently.
- You will prioritise own tasks under the direction of appropriate professional. Having an awareness of Ophthalmology care recognising and reporting all adverse findings to the appropriate professional.
Person specification
Qualifications and Expereince
Essential criteria
- Recent experience gained within an acute healthcare environment
- NVQ 2 (or equivalent) in Healthcare
- To be able to demonstrate a level of literacy and numeracy skills
- Basic IT skills
Desirable criteria
- Hospital Experience
- Knowledge of the anatomy of the eye
- Understanding of ophthalmic conditions.
- Previous knowledge of hospital computer systems
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
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Viki Willicott
- Job title
- Senior Sister/Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01803 654961
- Additional information
previous applicants need not apply
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