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Form of workPOSITION SUMMARY:
Under the direct supervision of the Chief Ophthalmic Technician and Service Director/Manager, the Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) is responsible for performing preliminary patient workups, diagnostic testing and/or any other clinical tasks.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
1. Upon training, the Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) may be required to perform any of the following tasks:
a. Initial patient screening by documenting the chief complaint, review of systems (ROS), ocular, family, social and medical history, pain assessment, patient medication list, allergies; obtaining visual acuity, automated refraction and keratometry, lensometry, confrontational visual field, pupil and extraocular muscle assessment, tonometry, manifest refraction, Brightness Acuity Test (BAT), Potential Acuity Meter (PAM); performing additional ophthalmic tests including but not limited to color vision and stereo testing, Amsler grid, shirmers/zone-quick, covard and pachymetry as requested by the provider.
b. Perform ophthalmic diagnostic testing as ordered by the ophthalmologists including but not limited to perimetry, corneal topography, anterior, posterior segment and external photography, dark adaptation/MAIA, optical biometry.
c. Set up and assist in medical lasers, refractive lasers, plastics/minor office procedures, cryo procedure and injections.
Note: Each subspecialty of ophthalmology may require the Certified Ophthalmic Assistant to perform some, if not all of the tasks listed above. The competencies below will define those tasks.
2. The Certified Ophthalmic Assistant is required to know basic ocular anatomy and physiology, ocular diseases/conditions and ocular pharmacology as defined by JCAHPO standards for the COA level of certification.
3. Proper identification and instillation of diagnostic eye drops on patients per MDs standardized order sets.
4. Proper handling and transport of medication used in the clinics.
5. Measure and record vital signs: blood pressure, heart rate and pulse.
6. Maintains adequate medical/ophthalmic supplies in exam and testing rooms.
7. Properly cleans instruments, equipment and exam/testing rooms in accordance to hospital infection control standards.
8. Ensures that equipment is in proper working order and notifies the appropriate personnel if a problem is identified.
9. Provides cross coverage to other services/locations in the ophthalmology department as needed.
10. Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide services appropriate to the patients' age, mental and physical needs.
11. Attends all annual in-service/trainings as required.
12. Complies with all state, federal and local regulations and laws governing the performance of this position
13. Adheres to all hospital policies and procedures including HIPPA and patient and employee confidentiality
14. Demonstrates knowledge and compliance with Infection Control/Joint Commission/Department of Public Health (DPH) standards.
15. Performs all other duties required to assist in/and or ensure the delivery of complete ophthalmic care and treatment of patients.
Current JCAHPO certification as a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant in good standing PLUS at least one year experience in a supervised setting as an Ophthalmic Assistant
