Ophthalmic Assistant/Certified Ophthalmic Assistant

DEPARTMENT:    Clinical

REPORTS TO:    Clinical Operations Manager

JOB SUMMARY:    This individual is responsible for performing an extensive number of data-collection functions, as delegated by the physician, to allow for proper, professional diagnosis of patients’ conditions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

1. High school diploma, some college preferred.
2. Zero-Two-years experience as an Ophthalmic Assistant.
3. If required, valid proof of certification as an Ophthalmic Assistant.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
2. Ophthalmic Assistant skills as outlined by the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO).
3. Empathetic personality giving attention to patient’s needs and concerns.
4. Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.
5. Ability to work as a team member.
6. Computer literacy.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Communication & Patient Care

1. 1. Interacts with all patients using the level of respect and professionalism required by this practice.
   2. Obtains patient history, to include chief complaint, history of present illness, past history (ocular and general), family history (ocular and general), and history of allergies and medications.
   3. Performs duties consistent with ophthalmic writer/scribe.
   4. Performs accurate and consistent documentation and measurement tasks to include:

• • • Visual acuity
    • Lensometry
    • Confrontational visual fields
    • Stereopsis
    • Motility
    • Pupillary function
    • Educate patients on medications, Pre- post op instructions.
    • Applanation tonometry
    • Humphrey Visual Field /OCT
    • Assist with minor in office surgical procedures, and laser treatments.
    • Refractomery
    • Angle assessment
    • Pachymetry
    • Corneal Topography

• Instrument Maintenance

1. 1. Troubleshoots instrument repairs as necessary.

• • • Replaces bulbs.
    • Checks connections.
    • Reports continued difficulty to Clinical Operations Manager.

• Triage

1. 1. Determines which patient should be taken next from the waiting room to have testing initiated.
   2. Escorts patients from the waiting room for the data collection.
   3. Following testing, makes them comfortable during the wait.
   4. Maintains a smooth flow of patients to the physician, altering the test sequence as required.
   5. Escorts patients from the clinical area to the check-out station or optical dispensary, when necessary.

• Administrative

1. 1. Seeks advice from more senior staff as necessary, never performing beyond capabilities.
   2. Maintains stock levels and cleanliness of exam lanes.
   3. Performs other duties, as required.

• Job Requirements

• Position requires a great deal of initiative and the flexibility to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

• Employee must maintain patient confidentiality.

• Given the level of training required in this position, the employee will be expected to work well independently.

This position description is not intended to detail every aspect of your position or list every task you may perform. It is provided as a general overview of the duties and responsibilities and skills required to perform successfully in this position.