Title: Healthcare Assistant 

Location: Thetford

Hours: 40 hours per week

Salary: £24,000 per annum

Optical Express is focused on delivering exceptional patient care, outstanding clinical outcomes and continued investment in our people and technology.

For over 34 years, millions of patients have trusted Optical Express with their eye care. As Europe’s leading private provider of laser eye, premium intraocular lens and cataract surgery, our Surgeons undertake more laser procedures collectively than any other provider.  We look after thousands of patients in our clinics every week and it’s a privilege to transform the lives of so many.

The Optical Express team work together, collectively and consistently striving for excellence. We support each other, respect each other and are committed to a culture of care, trust and integrity.

The culture extends to our local communities, through our range of charitable and environmental projects. We focus on doing what is right for our patients, our colleagues, our local communities and our planet.

Due to continued growth, a fantastic opportunity has arisen to join Optical Express as a Surgery Associate (Healthcare Assistant) based in our Thetford clinic. The role involves travelling to cover other Optical Express surgery clinics (travel costs will be covered by Company)

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

Following appropriate training, supervised practice and competency achievement assessments, you will be able to undertake all designated roles within the surgery team working across two surgical specialities: laser vision correction department (LVC) and ophthalmic (IOL) theatres. You will also be responsible for the following:

Pre-operative testing; conducting tests prior to examination and treatment and assisting during the consent appointment process, including providing information to patients prior to their IOL or LVC procedure. Patient discharging; instructing the patient pre and post procedure on the care of the eyes, updating medical records, making follow up appointments. Laser technician; preparation and calibration of the lasers, understanding data, loading and transferring data, safe running of the lasers. Co-ordinating: Controlling patient flow on the day of the consent appointment and surgery appointments to ensure minimum waiting times for patients and managing queries. Assisting the surgeon during consent appointments and treatments – acting as scrub assistant (LVC only); taking notes for the surgeon; instilling eye drops. Undertaking the role of ‘HCA’ (Healthcare Assistant) in IOL theatre to assist the surgical team and patients during surgery and associated tasks such as decontamination of instruments. Actively participating in the end of treatment day activities; updating patient files, filing, compiling ‘end of day’ reports for head office, cleaning the department, stock and lens ordering. Reporting untoward incidents – taking an active role in patient safety issues and quality and risk management.

Essential Skills

Excellent communication and presentation skills Ability to absorb and convey highly technical information Adaptable with a flexible approach to work Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritise tasks A confident and professional individual who has fantastic organisational skills Excellent telephone manner Demonstrate confidentiality, integrity and discretion Flexibility to travel to other clinics on a regular basis (travel costs will be covered by Optical Express)

What’s in it for you?

A market leading salary No night shift State of the art, modern working environments 29 days’ annual leave per annum Free Laser Eye Surgery and Intraocular Lens Surgery Free eye tests Discounted prescription eyewear and sunglasses Generous Optical Express friends and family discount scheme Ongoing training and development opportunities An accessible management team and transparent management structure Working in a larger clinical team means less pressure on our staff and more time to spend with our patients Full visibility of 6-weeks’ rota

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a global organisation where you will have the opportunity to grow and develop within a professional working environment.

Optical Express is an equal opportunities employer.