Ophthalmology Technician - Farmington/Glastonbury - Full Time

SUMMARY

Works directly with patients, parents and doctors and strives for 100% patient satisfaction and positive outcomes in all cases. Prepares the patient for surgical procedures and assists the ophthalmologist in small in office procedures. In addition, responsibilities for surgical support include preparing the room, preparing the proper instruments/tools needed and prepping the patient.

An Ophthalmology Technician is the first clinician to service the patient prior to seeing the physician. Responsible for testing eye function of the patients in preparation for the appointment with the practicing physician. Directs the flow of activities throughout the patient's visit. The Ophthalmology Technician will work within the scope of practice guidelines of the American Ophthalmology Association and the Connecticut Department of Public Health.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prepares the patient for in office surgical procedures by explaining what is to be expected, and bringing the patient into procedure room. After procedure, reviews after-care instructions with patient, to include education on medication. Ensures chart is complete prior to procedure.
• Assist the ophthalmologist in small in office procedures. Requires knowledge of all surgical tools as well as which tools are needed for different procedures.
• Prepares procedure room to ensure proper sanitization and to ensure all equipment is in place. Coordinate with ASC to obtain and pick up necessary equipment. Sets up all surgical tools required for procedure in the procedure room.
• Manage and oversee work flow for contact lenses patients- ensuring lens stock is ordered and all patients have contact lenses prior to their appointments.
• Complete insertion and removal (I&R's) education and teach contact lens patients to ensure safe removal and insertion of contact lenses for new wearers.
• Ensure all patients have proper contact lens appointments, fittings and follow ups as needed.
• Manage, track and oversee special combination clinics- craniofacial, JIA/Rheumatology
• Oversee and track complex medical patients with special testing, including the scheduling and performing of OCT's, visual fields, B scans, ERG/VEP's and all other patient testing's.

• Obtaining chief complaint, HPI, past medical/surgical history, family history, social history, medications & allergies
• Testing eye functions, looking for abnormalities within patient's eyes with basic penlight exam.
• In most cases, the testing includes distance/near vision, depth perception, color and peripheral vision, strabismus screening, IOP with tonopen, iCare and/or applanation on all cooperative patients, check present correction and clean glasses (should be done before taking vision), verify that glasses match written prescription, confrontational fields, amplitudes on patients with CI symptoms, near convergence, check pupils, measuring strabismus etc.
• Dilating pupils using appropriate drops, explains to patient or parent what dilation does and why we do it
• Auto-refract and refract patients as needed

Other essential responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Managing patient flow by bringing patient to exam room in a timely manner.
• Triage walk-in patients, emergency patients and determine if the patient needs to be seen the same day and which doctor should see the patient
• Coordinating sterilization of instruments with central sterilization, calibrating and maintain optical instruments per CT Children's Medical Center equipment sterilization guidelines and procedures.
• Communicate with front desk if doctor is running late or if urgent is coming in
• Maintaining clean waiting rooms and clinical areas (hallways and exam rooms), re-stock handouts, medical supplies, etc. (Performs clean sweeps daily)
• Responsible for patient calls/messages. Document all patient communication in the EMR or paper chart.
• Take calls and delegate any medical advice for the patient to the patient's physician
• Preparing Rx for physicians, mail/fax prescriptions
• Managing use of eye drops including storage, handling, and daily signing in/out (using appropriate form)
• Answer phones, schedule appointments, cover front desk
• Send out medical records, prescriptions, dictation
• Follows proper opening and closing exam room procedures (see handout)

• Education: High School Diploma, GED, or a higher level of education that would require the completion of high school, is required.
• Experience: 1 year experience as a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant/Technician preferred.