Lead Ophthalmic Assistant

Our Mission is to deliver best-in-class ophthalmic and optometric care.

Team members are hired to assist the organization in building a differentiated integrated eye care platform focused on superior patient care delivered through our network of optometrists and ophthalmologists. Team members are expected to a behavior of professionalism, which includes but is not limited to, acting with integrity and accountability, support our clinicians in all aspects of patient care delivery, support a culture of respect, diversity and inclusion in our organization, and enhance the patient access to primary and specialty eye care. Our vision is to create an admired healthcare company dedicated to delivering personalized eye care with outstanding patient outcomes.

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Lead Ophthalmic Technician is an advanced-level position including a wide variety of clerical, technical, and patient related functions under minimal supervision. The Lead Ophthalmic Technician performs all of the duties of the associate/objective level ophthalmic technician with greater independence, including clinic flow management, patient checkin; medical record review, preparation for the visit, patient education, assistance with medical examinations, treatments, and procedures, coordination and scheduling of tests, appointments, and surgeries, coordination of area work assignments, protocol review and update, and quality assurance checks.

In addition to performing and overseeing such tasks, the Lead Ophthalmic Technician is also a mentor and role model for the Ophthalmic Assistants and Technicians and functions as a lead worker for support staff. The Lead Ophthalmic Technician may also participate in Ophthalmic Technician continuing education by developing content and/or teaching classes. As a member of the patient care team, including registered nurses, assistants, technicians, orthoptists, clerical staff, medical students, residents, and faculty physicians, the Lead Ophthalmic Technician is also aware of the psychosocial needs of patients and families.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Direct Patient Care Responsibilities:

Provides primary ophthalmic care to patients and act as clinical assistant to physician.

Performs complete ophthalmic history and preliminary exams, sub-specialty tests (refraction, VF test, A-Scan Biometry (IOL master), Pachymetry, PAM evaluation, color testing, and contact lens evaluation).

Verifies patient information by interviewing patient, recording medical history, and confirming purpose of visit. Accurately records all information in EMR system according to established standards and physician requirements.

Checks condition of patients' eyes by observing pupils, muscle, visual acuity, extraocular movements, and blood pressure (if requested by Physician).

Prepares patients for ophthalmology examination by dilating pupils, changes in visual acuity, elevated extraocular pressure, or blood pressure and communicating results to Attending Physician.

Secures patient information and maintains patient confidence by completing and safeguarding medical records, completing diagnostic and procedure coding, and keeping patient information confidential.

Counsels patients by transmitting physician's orders, use of drops, contact lenses, drugs, and answer questions about surgery and specialty imagining required/ordered.

Maintains safe, secure, and healthy work environment by establishing and following standards and procedures along with complying with legal regulations.

Keeps equipment operating by following operating instructions, troubleshooting breakdowns, maintaining supplies, performing preventive maintenance, and promptly reporting equipment issues.

Processes prescription refill requests.

Performs set standard number of patient work-ups based on established times while maintaining quality of customer service.

Maintains stock in exam room in accordance to standard inventory and physician preferences.

Maintains minor procedure stock and all sterilization of instruments.

Sets up and prep for minor procedures to include setting sterile tray and maintaining sterile field.

Lead Technician Responsibilities:

Coordinates work assignments to assure that needed staff is available and prepared.

Requests clinic supplies as needed.

Reviews schedules and space needs to anticipate and make any needed changes in staffing or provider schedules for the clinics they coordinate.

Reviews, updates and develop selected clinic policies and procedures, as requested.

Conducts quality review/audits of processes, equipment and supply use to improve care, increase efficiency or reduce cost as needed.

Develops the schedule and oversee the new Ophthalmic Technician orientation, as requested. Verify their competency checklist.

Requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

High School diploma or equivalent, required.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE PREFERRED:

Minimum of one (1) year experience in ophthalmology, preferred.

LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION OR REGISTRATION REQUIRED:

N/A

LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION OR REGISTRATION PREFERRED:

Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT)

CORE COMPETENCIES:

Ability to work effectively with internal and external customers.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including listening.

Proficient in Microsoft Office products.

Ability to maintain confidentiality when dealing with sensitive information.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OF POSITION:

Talking. This position requires expressing or exchanging ideas through the spoken word. This position must participate in activities to convey detailed or essential verbal instructions to physicians, staff, and vendors accurately and succinctly.

Hearing. This position is required to perceive sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction, including the ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and make the discriminations in sound.

Repetitive motion. This position requires substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and fingers while working on reports on the computer.

Sedentary work. This position may need to occasionally exert up to 10 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Walking and standing are required frequently and throughout the day.

Visual Requirements. This position is required to have close visual acuity (with or without correction) to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; and reading.

Environmental Conditions. This position is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions (such as in typical office work.)