Sight Loss Advisor

(Job Description)

Sutton Vision is a registered charity which delivers services for visually impaired residents within the London Borough of Sutton. The organisation aims to help anyone who is partially sighted to flourish and to live a fulfilled, healthy and safe life.

Our Charity’s services start from a recognition of the psychological impact and social isolation which may result from sight loss or visual impairment and we encourage those who use our services to exercise self-determination and make informed choices.

Our Ethos is ‘Enabling and Empowering’

This epitomises the charitable objectives of Sutton Vision: our staff and volunteers foster independence and self-esteem, encouraging those who use our services to take their place in the local community as active citizens.

If you would like to be part of our team apply today!

Role: Sight Loss Advisor

Reporting to: Chief Officer

Location:St Helier Eye Unit and community venues in Sutton

Salary: £21, 875 (Fixed Term Contract)

This role will involve providing emotional support, impartial information, guidance and practical support to people of all ages, their families and careers to help them with any difficulties that may arise following diagnosis of their eye conditions. The Sight Loss Advisor will be responsible for providing eye clinic support service which offers basic information on eye conditions and helps patients to understand the problems they are experiencing because of sight loss. Whilst promoting the equal treatment and independence of visually impaired people in the local community.

This job description is a guide to the work you will be required to undertake and may be changed from time to time to meet changing circumstance and requirements.

Key Areas of Responsibility:

  1. To liaise with health and social service staff at the eye clinic and community locations as appropriate.
  2. To raise awareness of the benefits of registration as sight impaired or severely sight impaired/blind.
  3. Where needs are identified and with the client’s permission, refer to relevant agencies.
  4. Act as a contact person to whom people can return for advice/or help to facilitate the progress of their referral to another service.
  5. To provide general information on services available from the local authority and other local agencies.
  6. To act as an advocate for the patient to help people say what they want, secure their rights, represent their interests and obtain services they need.
  7. On occasions may see service users/family and carers away from the hospital setting.
  8. To promote the benefits of the service through presentations and community awareness events
  9. To promote and deliver visual awareness training courses
  10. To regularly attend and contribute to Sutton Vision staff meetings.
  11. To participate in regular supervision meetings and performance appraisals.
  12. To identify safeguarding issues and deal with these, referring to relevant agencies in accordance with the London Borough of Sutton Safeguarding Policy
  13. Maintain confidentiality of information regarding Sutton Vision members, families and carers at all times.
  14. Participate in appropriate training as agreed with/authorised by the Chief Officer
  15. Work within Sutton Vision service standards and observe Sutton Vision policies and procedures.

Person Specification

Experience and Qualifications / E= Essential D= Desirable
Basic education, numerate and literate with GCSE English and
Maths or equivalent / E
  • An RNIB & City University Eye Clinic Support Studies qualification or a
willingness to attend the course and obtain the qualification / E
Experience of person-centred planning and assessment of need / E
Professional background e.g. rehabilitation/nursing / D
Experience of producing written and electronic based reports / E
Experience of empowering individuals to meet their goals / E
Experience of supporting emotional / distressed people / E
Experience of networking and developing meaningful partnerships / E
Experience of working in the field of visual impairment / D
1 year’s experience of working in the disability field / D
Proven presentation skills / E
Commitment to own continuing professional development, attendance at further training and membership of peer networks / E
Skills and Abilities / E= Essential
D= Desirable
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in a structured way and with a range of individuals, both verbally and in writing / E
Ability to listen effectively, have empathy with and support to service users whilst remaining objective / E
Ability to communicate with medical and other hospital staff in a professional manner, and to develop and maintain appropriate positive relationships with clients and outside agencies / E
Ability to collate and record statistical information to meet monitoring requirements / E
IT literate and competent in use of Microsoft Office software including Word, Excel and databases, or equivalent / E
Ability to work on own initiative and liaise with line manager as and when / E
  • Ability to work corporately and represent
  • Action at corporate and service level
/ E
  • Ability to prioritise and manage own workload
/ E
  • Qualities and Competencies
/ E = Essential
D =Desirable
  • Self motivated
/ E
  • Personal commitment to equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practices
/ E
  • Ability to motivate and support others
/ E
  • A commitment to empowerment
/ E
  • Special Requirements

  • Ability to travel to meet with service users and providers
/ E
  • This post will require some UK travel and may include occasional overnight stay
/ E

What to do next:

If you are interested in this role then please click the link below to apply:

Closing date: 28th October 2016

Interview date: 31st October – 4th November 2016