Our staff

Management team

There are many different staff roles within the Eye Unit.

Doctor

• Consultants (link to Consultant profiles) - A consultant ophthalmologist is a medically trained doctor who commonly acts as both physician and surgeon.
• Speciality doctors and Associate Specialists – These doctors have trained and gained experience in Ophthalmology but have not gone on to be a consultant. They have at least four years of full-time postgraduate training. These doctors usually work independently but are attached to a clinical team led by a consultant.
• Junior Doctors – Junior doctors are qualified doctors in clinical training. They have completed a medical degree and foundation training and have anywhere up to eight years' experience working as a hospital doctor. All junior doctors work under the supervision of a senior doctor.

Nurse

• Specialist Nurse – An Ophthalmic nurse specialises in the health of the eye. They work as part of the wider team to care for and treat patients with a wide range of eye diseases or injuries. They are often involved in minor operative procedures and eye injections.
• Staff Nurse – Work in all areas of the Eye Unit caring for patients, delivering pre and post-operative care, monitoring and administering medication.
• Paediatric (Children's) Nurse – The Paediatric nurses provide specialist nursing care for children mainly for those undergoing surgery.
• Nursery Nurse – Our Nursery Nurse looks after children and their families attending paediatric outpatient appointments, for clinical procedures or surgery, ensuring a child friendly environment.

Orthoptist

Orthoptists are Allied Health Professionals who are trained to investigate, diagnose and treat defects in eye movements and problems with how the eyes work together, called binocular vision.

Optometrist

Optometrist – Optometrists examine eyes, give advice on visual problems and prescribe glasses or contact lenses. Some have an enhanced role in caring for patients with stable chronic conditions.

Ophthalmic Technician

Ophthalmic Technician – Ophthalmic technicians carry out a wide range of tests and procedures, such as Visual Field testing and taking scans and images of the eye.

Health Care Assistant (HCAs)

Health Care Assistant (HCAs) - Health Care Assistants (HCA) are members of the team that support the medical staff and patients. Under the supervision and direction of qualified nursing staff they carry out a range of duties to care for and support patients and their families. Responsibilities include:

• Keeping departments and equipment clean and tidy
• Taking and recording basic observations such as blood pressure
• Helping patients to move about, if they have mobility problems

Administrative roles

• Admissions – The work of the admissions team comprises of all aspects of booking and planning for day case or inpatient procedures and surgery.
• Receptionist – Our receptionists will book you in for your outpatient appointment and check your contact details are up to date. They will also book your follow up appointment if is required within the next 6 weeks.
• Health Records – The Health Records team ensure that vital patient information is recorded, updated and stored accurately so that medical colleagues can access it at any time or place.
• Ward Clerk – The Ward Clerk support patients and clinical staff. They are often the first point of patient contact when visiting or contacting the department. Their role involves chasing up reports and inputting patient data.

Operating Department Practitioner (ODP)

ODPs are part of the multidisciplinary operating theatre team, providing a high standard of patient-focused care during anaesthesia, surgery and recovery.

Vision Screening Assistant

The Vision Screening Assistants are linked with the Orthoptic Department and deliver school vision screening to all Reception children throughout Dorset.

Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO)

The role of the ECLO is to signpost patients recently diagnosed with sight loss to emotional and practical support. They work closely with the medical and nursing team in the Eye Unit and local providers such as social services.