ROLE SUMMARY:                           

The post-holder will deliver a consistently high-quality diabetic eye screening service for patients with diabetes in specified area(s). The role has a requirement to work unsupervised within a community-based environment, with travel to a number of fixed and mobile screening venues; with the potential for some early morning, early evening and weekend work.  In addition to the delivery of patient screening services the post-holder will also be involved in the grading of image sets (first full disease and second full disease grading, subject to accreditation). Senior Retinal Screeners will help and work with Team Leaders to support and monitor the Retinal Screeners.

 

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES:

1. Undertake all relevant units of the level 3 Diploma for Health Screeners; carry out the on-line EQA grading tests each month; attend and fully participate in the MDT meetings and adopt a commitment to personal continuous learning and development.
2. Arrive on time to screening venue(s) and undertake the Screening Checklist to ensure the screening environment is safe (for yourself and your patients) and ready for the provision of the screening service. Ensure the synchronisation of the screening clinic list to ensure all patients attending can be screened or where the screening venue has internet access, undertake an opportunistic screening appointment.
3. As part of the Screening Checklist, test the camera for artefacts and clean the camera in the event that there are artefacts on the external lens; in the event that you are not signed-off to clean the camera’s external lens or if the artefact is on an internal lens, raise a request to the DES Programme Lead for the camera to be cleaned.
4. Take responsibility for the safe use and security of the screening equipment, specifically the fundus camera and laptop.
5. Maintaining sufficient stocks of consumables and of the prescribed medication (Tropicamide) to ensure screening appointments are not adversely affected.
6. Welcome patients to their screening appointment; liaise with reception staff to ensure patients are kept informed; authenticate the patient and explain the screening procedure; obtain consent and record an accurate visual acuity for each eye (where the eye is present, otherwise record as Eye Missing); safely administer the mydriasis agent; ask the patient to return to the waiting room and upon their return re-confirm their identity and undertake photographs ensuring correct field of view.
7. Read, understand and follow all of the Retinal Screening Protocols concerned with the screening of patients. Ensuring at least a quarterly review to ensure continued awareness and compliance.  Participate positively in reviews to check compliance of screening venues, equipment and the adoption of policies and procedures.  Work with management to resolve any areas requiring improvement.
8. The stand-alone nature of the clinics necessitates a degree of autonomous decision making, both clinical and technical and you should always work in the best interests of the patient. Where issues are encountered, seek assistance and keep  he patient(s) informed.
9. Accurately record all patient data against the correct patient record, adding comments and image annotation to assist other graders and if the patient is to be referred the receiving Ophthalmologist.
10. Identify any patients requiring urgent referral at the time of their screening appointment. Where the referral is very urgent invoke the same day referral process and telephone failsafe to request that the patient is tracked to their hospital appointment.
11. Adopt a ‘problem solving approach’ and use your best judgement and analysis in order to identify solutions to challenges in day to day operations. Seek assistance from the Programme Lead or other colleagues/help desk as required.
12. Maintain the highest standards of patient care and service delivery. Where there are any deficiencies in the screening venue, camera infrastructure or IT infrastructure/equipment raise these with the Programme Lead and/or Help Desk.
13. Complete the Information Governance Training and Compliance Test as required by management and ensure that patient data is kept confidential and secure at all times.
14. Undertake the regular synchronisation of the screening and grading data; re-attempt synchronisation where there are any errors reported; if problems persist immediately contact the Help Desk.
15. Participate in Proficiency Assessments, for example, of grading competency; participate in feedback meetings to identify areas for improvement and work to make improvements in performance as required.
16. Support effective communication with other members of the team through regular access to your e-mail system and pick up phone messages throughout the day.

GENERAL:

All of the above activities are governed by the operational policies, standing financial instructions, policies and procedures and standards of Health Intelligence as well as legislation and professional standards and guidelines.

At all times work in the best interest of the patient, treating them with respect and maintain their dignity.

Attend an annual eyesight test and report any vision issues to your DES Programme Lead.  Specifically a VA of worse than 6/9 in your best eye at reading distance.  Annual eyesight tests charge can be reimbursed by the company.

OTHER DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

As a term of your employment with Heath Intelligence, you are required to undertake such other duties commensurate with your grade and/or hours of work at your initial place of work or at any other of Heath Intelligence’s establishments, as may reasonably be required of you.

This Job Description is an indication of the roles and responsibilities.

Note:

1. All of the above activities are governed by the Standard Operating Procedures, Policies, Standing Financial Instructions, and standards of Heath Intelligence as well as legislation and professional standards and guidelines.
2. This is a description of the job as it is at present constituted. It is the practice of Heath Intelligence to regularly examine employees’ job descriptions and to update them to ensure that they relate to the job as then being performed, or to incorporate whatever changes are being proposed.  This procedure is jointly conducted by each manager and those working directly to him or her.  You will, therefore, be expected to participate fully in such discussions and, in connection with them, to re-write your job description to bring it up to date if this is considered necessary or desirable. It is Heath Intelligence’s aim to reach agreement on reasonable changes, but if agreement is not possible Heath Intelligence reserves the right to insist on changes to your job description after consultation with you.
3. Heath Intelligence operates a no smoking policy.

Other

• Flexibility in weekly working pattern and location as required.

Safeguarding

Post holders have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their daily duties and for ensuring that they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.

 

InformatioN governance and security

All staff must undertake the allocated IG Training Tool Modules and read the Security Policy signing the Security Commitment Form to confirm they have read, understood and will adhere to the policy.

GENERAL:

• Comply with all Health Intelligence policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Comply with the Data Protection Act and Information Governance requirements.
• Have responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of self and others and to comply at all times with the requirements of health and safety regulations.
• Undertake other duties that may be required from time to time and that are consistent with the responsibilities of the grade.
• Provide satisfactory clearance of suitability from the Criminal Records Bureau.
• This job description reflects the need to cultivate the service. It will evolve with the continuing expansion of the service and will be reviewed through mutual agreement between the post holder and the line manager.

CONFIDENTIALITY:

Attention is drawn to the confidential nature of this post.  Disclosures of confidential information or disclosures of any data of a personal nature can result in prosecution for an offence under the Data Protection Act 1998 or an action for civil damages under the same Act in addition to any disciplinary action taken by Health Intelligence which might include dismissal.  You should consult your line manager if you consider that there is a need to breach such confidentiality.

HEALTH & SAFETY – GENERAL:

Under the provisions contained in the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, it is the duty of every employee to:

1. Take reasonable care of themselves and for others at work.
2. To co-operate with Health Intelligence, as far as is necessary, to enable them to carry out their legal duty
3. Not to intentionally or recklessly interfere with anything provided (including personal protective equipment) for health & safety or welfare at work.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ATTRIBUTES	ESSENTIAL	DESIRABLE	METHOD OF ASSESSING CRITERIA
Qualifications	GCSE Level	Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Diploma or level 3 Diploma for Health Screeners	Application form
Experience	Working within a team environment	Previous experience in a health care environment	Application form & interview process
Knowledge	Good general knowledge	Understanding of diabetic retinopathy	Application form & interview process.   Testing (if applicable) e.g., presentation or in-tray exercise
Skills	Excellent communication skills Ability to work on own initiative and with others		Application form & interview process.   Testing (if applicable) e.g., presentation or in-tray exercise
Personal attributes	Flexible approach to working.		Application form & interview process
Other requirements (if applicable)	Full driving license		Interview process

 

Definitions

Qualifications:                 Qualifications needed to fulfil duties of the post

Experience:                     Relevant to the post

Knowledge:                      Relevant to the post but not necessarily obtained a qualification

Skills:                               Practical skills relevant to post (i.e. Communication, Leadership, IT)

Personal Attributes:        Consider appropriate personal attributes the person brings to the post (i.e. Leadership, Team Working & Empathy towards client groups)

Other Requirement:        Anything else relevant to post (i.e. driving licence), flexibility.