Senior Healthcare Support Worker, Ophthalmology

Job summary
Ashford and St Peters NHS foundation Trust is now recruiting for a Senior Health Care Support Workers(Band 3) in the Ophthalmology Department.

Candidates applying for this post must possess and be able to demonstrate within the application form the following essential criteria:

• Recent and previous NHS experience as a health care support worker for a minimum of six months
• Having successfully achieved the Care Certificate within an NHS setting and recognised level 3 qualification.

Only candidates that meet the above will be considered for this post.

In brief, you will be carrying out assigned tasks involved with direct patient care whilst maintaining the privacy and dignity of patients. This will be whilst demonstrating excellent care, compassion and communication, and in support of and supervised by a Registered Nurse or Nursing Associate, incorporating:

• Undertaking and recording of Vital Signs
• Moving & Handling of patients to support independence
• Infection Prevention and Control
• Safeguarding of adults and children.

Main duties of the job

• Assist the Medical team or Nurse practitioners in completing intravitreal injections, minor operations and cross-linking clinics
• Assist in the supervision and training of less experienced HCAs, also help in the orientation of new nurses and support student nurses alongside the trained nurses.
• Looking after patient's pre and post op eye surgery and assisting with basic care.
• Taking patients to theatre and collecting patients' post-surgery following LA.
• Working in the eye clinic completing vision, visual field test and eye pressure tests.
• To liaise with the multi-disciplinary team as required, e.g. Orthoptists, Photography team, Eye Clinic liaison officer, and admin support.
• You will be expected in your role as a B3 HCA, to work as a member of the ophthalmic team undertaking Patient Care in a specialised area. To be able to complete essential competency-based assessments for patients being cared for within the Eye Unit, attending for Eye Day surgery or the eye clinic.
• Teach patients safe drop instillation technique, including use of drop aids.
• Assist registered nurses in admitting and discharging of patients in the eye ward.
• Communicate in a timely manner to the nurse in charge any changes observed in a patient's condition or any worries the Patient or their family and carers have.

About us
Ashford and St. Peters Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is the largest provider of acute hospital services to Surrey residents, serving a population of 410,00 people and employing approximately 4,800 staff.

Our vision is to provide an outstanding experience and best outcomes for patients and the team. We are committed to providing continuous professional development and flexibility to deliver our workforce plan.

We are part of a collaborative Group with the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust. As part of this partnership, colleagues may occasionally work across both organisations to support shared services, development opportunities and patient care.

St Peter's Hospital delivers complex medical and surgical care, maternity and emergency services. Day and orthopaedic surgery, ophthalmology and outpatient services are delivered at Ashford Hospital. Additional services are delivered at Woking Community Hospital.

Our Values provide us with the behaviours we respect and can commit to. By living our values through our everyday interactions, we can build a stronger, more resilient, and forward- thinking organisation, guiding us to achieve success and make a positive impact on how we deliver our services.

We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits and discounts.

Please note that adverts may close early, so early application is encouraged.

Details
Closing date: 08 November 2026
Salary: £27,106 to £28,850 a year pa inc. HCAS
Band: Band 3
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 323-ACS4931-MH

Essential criteria

• Functional level of English and Maths
• Care Certificate in Acute Care achieved through the NHS
• Level 3 qualification
• Minimum of six months employed experience as a Healthcare Support Worker in the NHS
• Working as part of a team
• Excellent people, communication and telephone skills
• Able to demonstrate that you are honest, reliable and trustworthy
• Residing in the UK with a valid right to work documentation to work in the UK

Desirable criteria

• Recognised level 3 Health and Social Care qualification
• Previous experience training and supporting new staff
• Previous experience in Ophthalmology
• Knowledge & awareness of diversity and human rights as appropriate to your role
• Extended Clinical Skills

Contact
For questions about the job, contact the Charge Nurse, Toni Varghese, View email address on meeveem.com, View phone number on meeveem.com.

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.