Ophthalmic Assistant

Position: Certified Ophthalmic Assistant/Technician

Job Description: Gathers important medical information and performs visual screening prior to Ophthalmologist’s or Optometrist’s visit with patient.

Supervision Received: Reports directly to Clinical Director

Supervision Exercised: None. Does not supervise any employees.

Typical Physical Demands: Requires prolonged standing, sitting, walking, some bending, stooping and stretching. Requires excellent communications skills and keen understanding of patients with sensory impairment. Must be able to express caring attitude while performing the tasks required, with accuracy and efficiency. Requires normal range of hearing and eye sight to perform necessary testing and report findings. Manual dexterity for operating office/medical equipment. High level of mental awareness.

Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Ø Greets patient and introduces self prior to exam.

Ø Escorts’ patient into exam room and performs initial part of visual exam for physician in a time efficient manner. Ensures that all work has been initialed and all required information has been completely filled in for each exam type.

Ø Completes a detailed patient history which includes: past medical history (systemic and ocular), family medical history (systemic and ocular) medication history (systemic and ocular) and the chief complaint (the reason for the visit). Documentation is the most important aspect of this position. Failure to document properly and completely could result in position change or termination.

Ø Checks the patient’s uncorrected (when applicable) and corrected visual acuity for distance (snellen) and near (jaeger).

Ø Neutralizes glasses manually using a lensometer.

Ø Checks intraocular pressure.

Ø Administer eye drops.

Ø Ensures the patients chart is put up in a timely fashion after technician encounter.

Ø Remains friendly and helpful to patients at all times. Socializing should be kept to a minimum as to maintain fairness and professionalism with regard to all patients’ appointment times.

Ø Seats patient in dilating area after placing chart in rack outside AR room for refraction.

Ø If more than three charts in AR rack, takes next chart in time order and proceeds to second AR with patient.

Ø Observe charts in bin/waiting room/dilating area/ to ensure patients have been checked-in/helped and not waiting. Regardless of what team you are on.

Ø Give suitable educational pamphlets to patient.

Ø Assist physician and scribe with minor office surgery/lasers.

Ø Assist doctor and scribe when needed to maintain good patient flow.

Ø Write out necessary prescriptions.

Ø Return and answer patient phone calls in a timely manner.

Ø Perform special tests as needed, OCT’s, Lenstar, Topo, Pentacam, Pachy, etc.

Ø Rotate late night/late lunch duties.

Ø Open exam rooms in the morning and close exam rooms in the afternoon. Ensuring that all exam rooms are clean, organized and properly stocked. Keeps assigned work up lane stocked with all necessary supplies.

Ø Assist triage and VF technician when necessary.

Ø Attends all required staff meeting.

Ø Maintains strict confidentiality.

Ø Other duties as assigned.

Performance Requirements:

Ø Working knowledge of basic anatomy and physiology of the eye and excellent communication skills.

Compliance:

Ø Responsible for a complete knowledge and adherence of all PEA compliance plans, policies and procedures.

Temperament:

Ø Possesses a preference for dealing with individuals who are ill or in need of help. Must maintain a courteous and professional manner at all times. Must be able to work under pressure and solve problems. Must possess the maturity to work with wide variety of temperaments. Must always maintain a positive attitude.

Qualifications:

Ø Needs to be courteous in an effective manner.

Ø Ability to work under pressure and solve problems.

Ø Knowledge of medical assisting and terminology.

Ø Ability to interact with the public and physicians.

Ø Strong verbal communication skills.

Ø Ability to act independently.

Ø Maintain strict confidentiality.

Ø Excellent listening and understanding skills.

Ø Excellent customer service and communication skills.

OSHA RATING: High risk category due to patient contact

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $15.00 - $20.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• No nights
• No weekends

Work Location: In person