Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To assess the Visual Acuity of patients attending the Eye Clinic. This will include a varied cohort of patients including; the elderly, children, complex needs, dementia and barriers affecting communication where appropriate.
• To perform Visual Field tests using the Humphrey Field Analyser.
• To perform Ocular Coherence Tomography and Pachymetry to aid the diagnosis and monitoring of patients eye conditions.
• To undertake Focimetry and Auto Refraction to determine a patients refractive status.
• Co-ordinate the registration of people with Visual Impairment.
• Assist Ophthalmologists during their patient consultations within general and specialist clinics, angiography and minor operations.
• Undertake Venous cannulation, sterile preparation of equipment trolleys and safe disposal of used items
• To work in partnership with other health professionals within the Macula Service and Glaucoma Screening Clinics.
• Undertake administration duties to support the Ophthalmology. Clinical Duties
• Independently perform Visual Field tests using the Humphrey Field Analyser. To select the most appropriate test for the patient depending on their condition and capabilities, guided by departmental policies and procedures.
• To perform Ocular Coherence Tomography to aid the diagnosis of patients attending the Eye Clinic. A specific level of anatomy and physiology of the eye will be required to ensure accuracy.
• To analyse patient’s spectacle prescriptions using a Lens Meter and Focimeter, interpret this information to select appropriate lenses for Visual Field testing.
• To undertake adult and child Visual Acuity testing (Snellens and LogMar), ensuring patients are wearing their correct glasses and assessing through a pinhole if necessary.
• Instil patient eye drops as required adhering to departmental guidelines and procedures.
• Assisting with visual impairment registration, giving advice to patients, liaising with other agencies involved with visually impaired people and keeping a record of the registrations.
• Respond to enquiries from patients, carers and other professionals and take appropriate actions in a timely fashion and with the assistance of other staff as appropriate.
• Assist patients of poor mobility, e.g helping into wheelchairs, transferring patient to the slit lamp holding the patients head if required in the laser room, in accordance with manual handling policies.
• Assist patients with basic needs such as access to toilet facilities and refreshments when necessary.
• Inform patients of any delays that may influence their stay in the clinic
• Answer telephone calls, internal and external, from departments, wards, medical staff: GPs etc. Ensure that all queries are attended to as soon as possible and conveying any messages to the appropriate personnel. Support the administration of the Orthoptic and Optometry department.
• Photocopying and faxing as per trust policy, preparation of examination rooms, ensure availability and care of clinical instruments.
• Patient information leaflets and white boards are kept updated with the names of the doctors and nurses visible.
• All testing will include a varied cohort of patients including; the elderly, children, complex needs, dementia and barriers affecting communication.
• To demonstrate effective communication skills to ensure patient understanding and compliance with the tests. Barriers to understanding will need to be overcome e.g. loss of hearing or impaired cognitive ability and expertise adapted as required.
• To be responsible for daily maintenance of equipment as required.
• To be responsible for ordering Ophthalmology supplies.
• To record patient information accurately using Medisight, Electronic Patient Records and access On Base for patient information