Senior Healthcare Assistant

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Senior Healthcare Assistant The closing date is 11 December 2025 Department: Ophthalmology Theatres at Lloyds Court Band 2/3 pro rata if part-time Hours: 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working Are you an experienced Healthcare Assistant looking to take the next step in your career? We are seeking proactive and compassionate Senior Healthcare Assistants to join our new Ophthalmology Theatre service at Lloyds Court. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a specialist Ophthalmology setting, supporting patients undergoing cataract surgery. You'll play a vital role in supporting the delivery of high‑quality, patient‑centred care pre, post and peri‑operatively and working as part of the clinical team in a fast‑paced environment. Do you have the ability to work independently as well as part of a team, experience in theatres or ophthalmology? If you are ready to build upon your NHS experience and grow in a specialist service, we will offer you opportunities to develop in a varied and interesting role. Please be advised you will be Band 2 until you pass the NHS Care Certificate, probation and core competencies to become Band 3. Interview date: tbc Main duties of the job NHS Survey, 2024 94% feel that their role makes a difference to patients and service users. The aim of the role of senior healthcare assistant at Lloyds Court is to support the safe, efficient and compassionate delivery of ophthalmic surgical procedures, with a focus on cataract surgery, by assisting the clinical team and ensuring a smooth patient journey from admission to discharge. The post holder will work alongside skilled nurses and surgeons contributing directly to high‑quality patient care. The post holder will play a key role in ensuring theatres run smoothly, while supporting patients and their families throughout their surgical journey. The role will include supporting outpatient clinics as required. About us Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting‑edge research and education. With a 'Good' rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career. As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities. We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state‑of‑the‑art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre. Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards – a new ward block featuring two 24‑bed wards – and the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030. Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital - For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes Job responsibilities Clinical Assist in the preparation and support of patients undergoing cataract surgery under local anaesthetic. Administer prescribed pre-operative eye drops as per Trust SOP. Escort and support patients undergoing local anaesthetic procedures. Support the surgical team with patient positioning and maintaining sterile fields. Communication Communicate effectively with the multidisciplinary team receiving and conveying complex and sensitive information. Actively participate in the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist process. Ensure that patient confidentiality is always maintained. Maintain effective communication with patients, relatives and members of the multidisciplinary team regarding all aspects of care demonstrating a variety of communication skills in accordance with the patient group. Leadership To develop own practice and offer service improvements To be familiar with trust policies and procedures Act within limits of own competence, ensuring actions support care, protection and wellbeing of others. Maintain responsibility for the identification of own continuing educational and development needs, including audits of own work practice. Formulate a personal development plan and participate in the annual appraisal process. Professional To act at all times in a professional and courteous manner. To ensure compliance with mandatory training. To participate in the Trusts appraisal system be involved in continuous development, keeping up to date knowledge on the Healthcare Assistants role. To participate in department meetings as appropriate. To uphold the Trust Values. To promote the importance of good clinical practice throughout the ward/department, acting as an ambassador for high standards and good patient care at all times. Please refer to the job description for further details Person Specification Qualifications and knowledge GCSE/ Functional Skills in Maths & English NVQ Level 3 or equivalent experience NHS CARE Certificate Awareness of infection prevention & control Awareness of NHS policies Understand the role of the Theatre Support Worker Knowledge of ophthalmic procedures and patient care pathways Understanding of the role of a Healthcare Assistant Awareness of NHS policies Assessors training/certificate Experience Previous experience working as a Healthcare Assistant in the NHS Experience in a theatre or outpatient surgical setting Experience supporting ophthalmic procedures (e.g. cataract surgery) Supervising or mentoring junior staff Skills Ability to participate in the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist process Ability to demonstrate commitment to high standards of care Ability to work under pressure Ability to prioritise tasks effectively at short notice Caring in a professional manner towards patients and their relatives. Good time management Ability to induct, support, assess and develop junior members of staff. Ability to undertake clinical observations and other clinical tasks IT Skills Personal and people development Compassionate and patient-centred approach Ability to remain calm under pressure Reliable, flexible, and team-oriented Emotionally resilient and able to support anxious or vulnerable patients Commitment to continuous improvement and learning Communication Clear spoken and written English Able to communicate clearly and compassionately with patients, carers and team members, carrying out instructions and feeding back information. Able to record care provided using MKUH documentation and complying with MKUH policies and guidelines. Able to feedback to staff on safe and effective practice. Able to feedback on assessments undertaken. Specific requirements Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations 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. Employer name Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust #J-18808-Ljbffr