Ophthalmic Assistant

The Ophthalmic Assistant is a clinical care team member reporting to the Lead Technician. The position is responsible for a providing the full scope of basic evaluation and specialized testing support to facilitate patient workups prior to and during provider encounters, advanced testing as indicated in pre-visit chart review or provider order, assisting with office based surgical and treatment procedures and other patient as requested by Lead Technician or provider.

Ophthalmic Assistant Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Performs screening and technical workups to support provider visit requirements including patient histories, preliminary examinations and testing in order to facilitate patient flow of 4-6 patients per hour. May include histories, refraction, topography, keratometry, tonometry, pupil testing, visual field testing, OCT, fluorescein angiography, biometry A-Scan/IOL Master, fundus and optic nerve photography as well as pachymetry as needed.
• Performs specialized and advanced testing support for provider visit requirements, prescribed practice patterns and other provider orders.
• Provides encounter EMR entry, notes, charting and assist as scribe for physician as required, as well as EMR documentation of all patient communications.
• Communicates with patients regarding appointment scheduling, follow-up care, surgeries, procedures, changes in schedule, symptoms, surgery scheduling, additional testing and any other matters as directed by Lead Technician or provider.
• Presents informed consent documentation and pre and post operative instructions.
• Sets up instrumentation and/or equipment for in-office minor surgery and laser procedures; assists with procedures, cleans exam/treatment room and sterilizes instruments after use.
• Ensuring all equipment is in proper working order, checking for cleanliness and calibration of instruments.
• Maintains inventory level and currency of supplies and medications for exams, treatment and testing rooms.
• Schedule next patient visit or confirm date of recall requirement and escort patients to checkout desk after exam.
• Turn off all lanes of equipment and cover, at end of day.
• Displays consistent professionalism, positive rapport and team orientation.
• Displays energetic, empathetic and compassionate interactions with patients.
• Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted or changed at any time at the discretion of team leader and manager, formally or informally, either verbally or in writing.

Ophthalmic Assistant Essential Qualifications:

Education: High School Diploma or equivalent; Bachelor’s/Associates degree or Certification preferred.

Experience: 2-5 years’ experience working in a medical environment, in a clinical capacity; Clinical experience within Ophthalmology preferred but not required.

Ophthalmic Assistant Knowledge/Skills/Experience:

• Perform duties including all aspects of ophthalmic pre-exam workup, basic and advanced ophthalmic testing including but not limited to demonstrated proficiency in case histories, visual acuity testing, EOM and pupil testing, keratometry, tonometry, visual field testing, OCT testing, topography, fundus, optic nerve and external photography, biometry A-Scan/IOL Master, preliminary slit lamp exams with angle grading.
• Demonstrates thorough knowledge of eye anatomy, disease, symptoms, surgical procedures and ocular medications.
• Understands and utilizes sterile technique and procedures.
• Understands and follows procedures for surgical and procedural consents, pre and post operative instructions.
• Understanding and analytic capabilities consistent with operational flow analysis and coding and compliance.
• Knowledge of and facility with electronic medical record (EMR) and practice management (EPM) systems.
• Must have excellent interpersonal and organizational skills and demonstrate energetic professional, empathetic demeanor to patients and coworkers.
• Obtain and maintain certification.
• Demonstrates ability to assist providers with 4-6 patient encounters per hour.
• Must have excellent interpersonal and organizational skills and demonstrate energetic professional, empathetic demeanor to patients and coworkers.