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Job summary

Main area
Ophthalmology
Grade
Band 3
Contract
Permanent: Previous applications need not apply
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
37.5 hours per week (Other weekly hours considered up to 37.5 hours per week)
Job ref
387-S3539-LMH
Employer
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Bristol Eye Hospital
Town
Brsitol
Salary
£25,760 - £27,476 pa pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
18/08/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust logo

Ophthalmic Technician

Band 3

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This will create an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.


 

Job overview

The post holder will support the Outpatient teams for the provision and overall smooth running of our clinical services.

 

You will receive training at the Bristol Eye Hospital and when relevant competencies have been achieved, you will be required to attend peripheral clinic and hospital sites to deliver the required clinical care. Therefore, a willingness and capacity to travel to different working locations will be required, as well as the ability to provide services on days across the whole week, including weekends as and when required.

You will be required to communicate in an empathetic manner with patients, relatives and carers who may be emotionally distressed or who may have barriers to understanding, such as learning difficulties, language, hearing difficulties or visual impairment and to children and babies.

In summary you will assist in the provision of a high standard of ophthalmic and personal care ensuring the smooth running of our clinics.

 

Main duties of the job

Following appropriate training and assessment you will be performing the following clinical care duties (this list is not exhaustive and will change with the service in line with developing competency frameworks):

An ability to understand and undertake all clinical duties carried out by assistant ophthalmic and vision scientists

Assist with intravitreal injections

Pachymetry

Stereo disc photos

Henson and Humphrey visual field testing

Blood Glucose Testing

Ensure patient’s quality of care and safety is maintained during their entire visit including escorting to & collecting from other departments within the hospital

Assist patients with their mobility in order that tests and examinations can be carried out

Support patients with personal care activities as necessary.

To undertake administrative and clerical duties, inputting data using computer systems, working at all times within information governance policies.

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston. 

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For a more detailed job description, main responsibilities, and Person Specification, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.

Person specification

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Proven experience of dealing with the public
  • Experience of learning new systems
Desirable criteria
  • Previous experience of high-volume activity

Qualifications and Training

Essential criteria
  • Extensive experience of ophthalmic care or at least 5 GCSE’s to Grade C or above including English, Maths and one other science subject
Desirable criteria
  • Undergraduate qualification or equivalent experience
  • Extensive experience of ophthalmic care or at least one A level in a science subject Grade C or above

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria
  • Working Knowledge of ophthalmic procedures and techniques
  • Understanding of patient confidentiality issues
  • Current working Knowledge of general medical/ophthalmic conditions, equipment and techniques
  • Computer literate
  • Good presentation skills, high level of accuracy and excellent hand-eye coordination
  • Ability to deal with difficult situation
  • Ability to deal with difficult patients
  • Ability to travel between different working locations and weekend working if required
  • Ability to work with respect to continuing professional development
Desirable criteria
  • Working knowledge of NHS procedures
  • Knowledge of Health and Safety issues

Public Sector Language Competency

Essential criteria
  • Be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Trust IDDisability Confident - two yearsVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveCare quality commission - GoodMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerNHS Pastoral CareStep into healthMenopause Workplace PledgeDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - GoldPride In Veterans

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

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Louise Hill
Job title
Sister Outpatients Department
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0117 342 9095
Additional information

Rowena Mendoza

Outpatients Sister

0117 342 9095

If you have problems applying, contact

Address
People & Transformation Division
North Bristol NHS Trust
Southmead Hospital
BS10 5NB
Telephone
0117 4141151
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