Job summary
Folkestone Eye Centre is an NHS community-based outpatient clinic, bringing expert eye care closer to patient's homes.
The service is a joint venture owned and run by the partnership of Newton Place surgery and a group of local expert Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeons.
The service is located at our newly renovated premises within Basepoint in Folkestone. We have the most up to date diagnostic and surgical equipment on site, including state of the art cataract surgery suite.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for x2 Weekend Cataract Ward Clerks to join our Folkestone Eye Centre Team. This will be 18 hours, every other Saturday and Sunday. This will be a job share between 2 people.
Our weekend team are part of the face of Folkestone Eye Centre, they are amongst the first people that our patients interact with on the day of their surgery, so having a welcoming, friendly, empathetic approach is vital.
This is a busy role - you will be seeing a number of patients on the day of their surgery. You will either be admitting them for their surgery, or discharging them home after their procedure. You will be using a variety of different equipment and systems, so we are looking for someone who is comfortable using systems and is fairly tech savvy,
The thought of eye surgery can be a daunting prospect for patients to deal with, so our cataract ward clerks needs to be able to put patients at ease. They also need strong communication skills to be able to explain the purpose of different tests to ensure the patient understands their treatment.
About us
The team at Folkestone Eye Centre is run by our Service Manager, with the help and support of the 5 Consultant Ophthalmologists who are on rotation.
The atmosphere at Folkestone Eye Centre is a warm and friendly one. We have a newly renovated premises which is clean and comfortable.
We have a strong work ethic at Folkestone Eye Centre are we always put our patients first.
We offer 25 days holiday + 8 bank holidays (pro-rata), the option to join the NHS pension scheme and a range of NHS discounts, including the option to sign up for a Blue Light Card.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To communicate effectively (written and verbally), respectfully and in a timely manner within the team.
- To understand the principle of confidentiality, always communicating in a way that maintain the patients confidentiality.
- To keep areas clean and to sanitise areas between each and every patient.
- To perform relevant observations to establish baselines prior to surgery (HCA level). These include: - blood pressure, blood glucose and INR levels (if applicable).
- Ensure all relevant clinical information is entered onto the clinical system prior to surgery and that a WHO form has been filled in correctly prior to surgery.
- Administer any eye drops under a PSD (Patient Specific Directive) as instructed by the operating surgeon.
- Sometime in front of a computer where high degrees of concentration are required and the ability to cope with interruptions.
- Make the patient comfortable after surgery, by providing them with refreshment.
- Go through the discharge summary with the patient making sure that they understand their post operative instructions.
- Answer any questions that the patient may have and if you are unsure, ask a colleague for advice.
- Give the patient their post operative eye drops and any other TTO medications.
- Assist the nursing theatre team by labelling up clinical waste bags and taking it out to the large clinical waste bins to be collected.
This list is not exhaustive and the successful candidate must be willing to undertake other duties, if appropriate when asked.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To communicate effectively (written and verbally), respectfully and in a timely manner within the team.
- To understand the principle of confidentiality, always communicating in a way that maintain the patients confidentiality.
- To keep areas clean and to sanitise areas between each and every patient.
- To perform relevant observations to establish baselines prior to surgery (HCA level). These include: - blood pressure, blood glucose and INR levels (if applicable).
- Ensure all relevant clinical information is entered onto the clinical system prior to surgery and that a WHO form has been filled in correctly prior to surgery.
- Administer any eye drops under a PSD (Patient Specific Directive) as instructed by the operating surgeon.
- Sometime in front of a computer where high degrees of concentration are required and the ability to cope with interruptions.
- Make the patient comfortable after surgery, by providing them with refreshment.
- Go through the discharge summary with the patient making sure that they understand their post operative instructions.
- Answer any questions that the patient may have and if you are unsure, ask a colleague for advice.
- Give the patient their post operative eye drops and any other TTO medications.
- Assist the nursing theatre team by labelling up clinical waste bags and taking it out to the large clinical waste bins to be collected.
This list is not exhaustive and the successful candidate must be willing to undertake other duties, if appropriate when asked.
Person Specification
Essential criteria
Essential
- Ability to provide quality care.
- Good interpersonal and communication skills.
- Enthusiastic and willing to learn.
- Ability to work well within a team and use own initiative, when required.
- Kind and empathetic nature.
Desirable
- Basic IT skills.
- Awareness of ophthalmology.
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE grade A to C in English and Mathematics or equivalent.
- Qualified to NVQ level 2 in Health and Social Care.
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrate a clear insight into the role.
- Previous experience as an HCA.
- Previous experience of working within a nursing team.
- Previous experience of dealing with vulnerable patients.
Desirable
- Previous experience in Ophthalmology.
- Ability to work on own initiative.
Person Specification
Essential criteria
Essential
- Ability to provide quality care.
- Good interpersonal and communication skills.
- Enthusiastic and willing to learn.
- Ability to work well within a team and use own initiative, when required.
- Kind and empathetic nature.
Desirable
- Basic IT skills.
- Awareness of ophthalmology.
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE grade A to C in English and Mathematics or equivalent.
- Qualified to NVQ level 2 in Health and Social Care.
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrate a clear insight into the role.
- Previous experience as an HCA.
- Previous experience of working within a nursing team.
- Previous experience of dealing with vulnerable patients.
Desirable
- Previous experience in Ophthalmology.
- Ability to work on own initiative.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
