Wales General Ophthalmic Services Referral Officer

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 24,000 - 27,000

Job description

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

About
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is the operational name of Aneurin Bevan University Local Health Board. The Health Board was established on the 1st October 2009 and covers the areas of Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport, Torfaen and South Powys.
As an Employer, we are adaptable, agile and flexible and can offer variations to working practices in line with our Agile Hybrid Framework and Home Working Policy. The Health Board employs over 13,000 staff, two thirds of whom are involved in direct patient care. There are more than 250 consultants in a total of over 1000 hospital and general practice doctors, 6,000 nurses, midwives, allied professionals and community workers. The Health Board is led by the Chairman, non-executive directors, the Chief Executive and other executive directors. The Board is supported by the Senior Management Team.

Key details
Location: Royal Gwent Hospital, Cardiff Road, Newport, NP20 2UB
Contract type: Fixed term: 12 months (31st March 2026)
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £24,433 - £26,060 per annum (Band 3)

We encourage applications from all with protected characteristics and from those in the Armed Forces Community. Applicants are invited to apply in Welsh; any application submitted through the medium of Welsh will not be treated less favourably than applications made in English.

If you are successful at interview for this post you will receive your conditional offer of appointment and information pack via email. We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time. Therefore we encourage early applications to ensure consideration for this post. If you are shortlisted for this post, you will be contacted via your email account you used to apply for this post, therefore please check your account regularly.

Job Overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen within Aneurin Bevan University Health Board to work collaboratively with Primary and Secondary Care Eye Care Services. We are looking to appoint a highly motivated WGOS Referral Officer to join the Ophthalmology Team. As the WGOS Referral Officer, you will undertake all administrative duties relating to patient pathways under Wales General Ophthalmic Services (WGOS) between both Primary and Secondary Care. The post holder will work closely with the WGOS Referral Team Leader and Primary and Secondary Care Colleagues to achieve agreed outcomes.

The post holder will have excellent communication skills together with the ability to work as part of a team to support the provision of high-quality eye health care across the Health Board. This post is fixed term for 12 months to meet the needs of the service.

Responsibilities
The Post Holder Will Provide Administrative And Clerical Support To The WGOS Referral Team Within The Ophthalmology Team In Secondary Care. The Post Holder Is a Key Member Of The Team, Working Closely With The WGOS Referral Team Leader, WGOS Optometrist, Directorate Managers, Ophthalmologists, Primary Care Colleagues, Patients And Or Carers, GPs And Other Services Users Or Stakeholders Within The Health Board. The Post Holder Will Assist In Working Towards Key Objectives:

1. Appropriately discharge patients who are eligible for WGOS
2. Communicate regularly with WGOS Team Leader
3. Support the undertaking of monthly audits to ensure all patients' appointments are processed in accordance with agreed timeframes
4. Discharge patients to an assigned WGOS provider
5. Ensure an efficient telephone service is maintained
6. Work with WGOS providers to minimise short notice cancelled appointments and optimise appointment capacity
7. Collate data in relation to referrals and wait times

Working for our organisation
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is a multi-award-winning NHS organisation with a passion for caring. The Health Board provides an exceptional workplace where you can feel trusted and valued. Whatever your specialty or stage in your career, we have opportunities for everyone to start, grow and build your career. The health board provides integrated acute, primary and community care serving a population of 650,000 and employing over 16,000 staff.

We offer a fantastic benefits package and extensive training and development opportunities with paid mandatory training, excellent in-house programmes, opportunities to complete recognised qualifications and professional career pathways including a range of management development programmes. We offer flexible working and promote a healthy work-life balance, provide occupational health support and an ambitious plan for a Wellbeing Centre of Excellence to support you at work.

Our Clinical Futures strategy continues to enhance and promote care closer to home as well as high-quality hospital care when needed. Join us on our journey to pioneer new ways of working and deliver a world-class healthcare service fit for the future.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
To undertake all administrative duties in relation to WGOS Referral Management, promote good staff communication skills, keep abreast of any changes in policies and procedures, including Health Board Service Standards, and implement amendments as appropriate. To work autonomously, prioritising own workload, and make decisions within specified guidelines and procedures, seeking advice where necessary. To keep abreast of current Welsh Government (WG) guidelines, in particular the WGOS manuals and the National Clinical Strategy for Ophthalmology. To ensure the information sent out to patients is of excellent quality, maintain good communication with peers, managers, other departments and the general public, actively participate in the duties of the department as required, and deal with requests in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations.

Applicant requirements
Welsh language skills are desirable.

Qualifications And Knowledge
Essential criteria

• Computer literate
• Business Administration level 3 NVQ or equivalent demonstrable knowledge and experience
• Knowledge of administration processes
• Knowledge of WG policy and guidance in relation to WGOS services

Desirable criteria

• ECDL or equivalent

Skills and Attributes
Essential criteria

• Excellent Communication skills
• Ability to work effectively with managers & clinicians
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Ability to take on an active role in the operational requirements

Desirable criteria

• Ability to take on an active role in agreed learning activities and keep a record of them
• Understanding of knowledge and skills framework and ability to identify learning and needs and interests

Experience
Essential criteria

• Experience of managing waiting lists, booking and RTT targets

Desirable criteria

• Experienced WPAS/CWS user
• Experience of dealing with all levels of staff and the public
• Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to communicate as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to communicate with patients empathetically regarding their treatment and procedures
• Can demonstrate an enthusiastic, approachable and friendly manner

Other
Essential criteria

• Flexible to the needs of the service

Desirable criteria

• Ability to speak Welsh

Further details / informal visits contact
Name: Jessica Byrne
Job title: Directorate Support Manager
Email address: [email protected]
Telephone number: 01633 238768

Name: Shaheen Sohail
Job title: Operational Support Manager
Email address: [email protected]
Telephone number: 01633 238019

Name: Kelly Roberts
Job title: Contracts Manager
Email address: [email protected]