Ophthalmic Assistant

Ophthalmic Technician

The Ophthalmic Technician provides clinical and administrative support to the Provider to collaboratively ensure the delivery of high quality, compassionate care to CEENTA's patients.

Job Description

• Greet and room patients.
• Obtain and document past medical and surgical histories, chief complaint, history of present illness (HPI), and vital signs.
• Reconcile and document patient medications and allergies in the EHR system.
• Perform preliminary ophthalmic work-up, including but not limited to: Visual Assessment, Confrontational Visual Field Testing, Pupil Assessment, Tonometry, Keratometry, Ocular Motility Testing, Glare Testing, Refractometry, Pachymetry, Lensometry, Slit Lamp Examination, Ishihara (Color) Plate Testing, Stereo Testing, Amsler Grid, Schirmer Testing.
• Perform specialty testing including but not limited to OCT, Visual Fields, Topography, Biometry, and Pentacam.
• Assist the Provider with patient examination, treatment, and in-office procedures as needed.
• Prepare and administer medications as directed by the Provider.
• Prepare and/or collect laboratory specimens.
• Act as a scribe as needed by the Provider.
• Explain treatment procedures and provide approved educational information to patients and their families.
• Respond to patient questions and prescription refill requests via phone or the EHR messaging system.
• Manage Provider schedule(s) in the EHR system, which includes scheduling patients for appointments and in-office procedures.
• Schedule patient surgeries.
• Maintain applicable work queues in the EHR system.
• Index lab reports, procedure and office notes, and outside documentation pertinent to patient care from the document management system to the EHR system.
• Perform clinical room turnover/set-up and equipment sterilization.
• Maintain OSHA standards to ensure a sterilized and safe environment.
• Maintain stock of office, clinical, and clinic-specific supplies and order from appropriate vendor when needed.
• Assist with the training/onboarding of new staff and apprentices.
• Ability to meet the physical and mental demands of the position.
• The ability to work on-site.
• Predictable, reliable, and prompt attendance.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to maintain a high level of precision in judgment, the accuracy of assessment, and skill in problem-solving under stress.
• Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations.
• Ability to adapt to changes in the department.
• Exceptional oral and writing skills.
• Ability to examine documents for accuracy and completeness.
• Ability to identify problems.

Core Competencies

• Clinical Knowledge: Possesses the appropriate clinical knowledge to provide safe and high-quality care to patients within the applicable scope of practice. This includes accurately recording and communicating patient information to all relevant members of the clinical team.

• Patient Focus: Making patients and their needs a primary focus of one's actions; developing and sustaining productive patient relationships.

• Building Patient Loyalty: Effectively meeting patient needs; building productive patient relationships; taking responsibility for patient satisfaction and loyalty.

• Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the message.

• Energy: Consistently maintaining high levels of activity or productivity; sustaining long working hours when necessary; operating with vigor, effectiveness, and determination over extended periods of time.

• Attention to Detail: Accomplishing tasks by considering all areas involved, no matter how small; showing concern for all aspects of the job; accurately checking processes and tasks; being watchful over a period of time.

Clinical Competencies

• The broad knowledge base of Ophthalmic practice, knowledge of acute practice based on skill level and scope of practice.
• Knowledge of examination and diagnostic procedures.
• Ophthalmic Knowledge: Strong understanding of eye terminology and anatomy and best practices in the effective flow of clinical services.
• Knowledge of medical equipment and instruments.

Training Period

Corporate Epic training, 6-8 weeks of on-the-job training with current CEENTA staff and Operations Manager. Check-ins and audits to evaluate competency during and after completion of training based on specific role.

Accountability

Our mission is to be the premier eye, ear, nose, and throat group providing comprehensive, quality, and ethical healthcare to all in the Carolinas; to provide a favorable environment for the delivery of healthcare; and to provide for the wellbeing of the physicians and the employees of Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates, P.A. The Certified Ophthalmic Technician directly impacts CEENTA's ability to achieve its mission as they play an integral role in patient care delivery, providing administrative and clinical support to the Providers.

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required.

• Graduate of an International Council of Accreditation (ICA) accredited clinical training program OR completion of an International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (IJCAHPO) or American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) independent study course preferred.

• One to two years experience as a clinical technician in an Ophthalmology or Optometry practice preferred.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Certification required only for COA and COT job description.

• Current Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) certification from the IJCAHPO required for COAs.

• Current Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT) certification from the IJCAHPO required for COTs.

• It is the employee's responsibility to maintain their certification and provide proof of certification.

• Current BLS Certification from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross preferred.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The Certified Ophthalmic Assistant functions in a multi-specialty clinic with high patient volume. This role may be exposed to contagious or infectious diseases, and therefore may be required to wear personal protective equipment at times. This position routinely uses standard medical office equipment as well as standard medical diagnostic equipment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Supervision

This position reports to the Operations Manager as well as the Operations Supervisor when applicable, with clinical oversight from the Provider. The position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a non-exempt position with core hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. Hours are subject to variation based upon clinic needs.

Physical, Mental and Other Requirements

The physical and mental demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands:

• Frequently required to stand; walk; sit in front of a computer; type; perform repetitive mouse clicks; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms to assist patients and/or providers/staff.

• Occasionally assists with moving or positioning wheelchair-bound patients, clinical equipment; up to 300 lbs. and office supplies up to 30 pounds.

Mental Demands:

• Ability to problem solve.

• Ability to work under pressure or in stressful situations.

• Ability to make quick decisions.

• Ability to thrive in fast-paced environments and multi-task.

• Ability to use discretion and sensitivity.

Other Requirements:

• Active & Current Driver's license.

• Clean driving record.

• Consistent and Reliable Transportation.

• Polite and professional disposition.

Travel

Travel to other CEENTA clinic locations may be required.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. In addition to those essential functions identified above, individuals in this position are also responsible for performing other duties or tasks that may be assigned. CEENTA retains the discretion to add or change the essential job functions of this position at any time without notice.

A Typical Day in the Position

A typical day for the Ophthalmic Assistant involves collaborating with and providing clinical and administrative support to the Provider to ensure the delivery of high quality, compassionate patient care. The Ophthalmic Assistant greets patients with a warm, welcoming smile as they escort them to the exam room. They obtain and document past medical and surgical histories, chief complaint, history of present illness (HPI), vital signs, and reconcile patient medications and allergies in the EHR system. The Ophthalmic Assistant completes the preliminary portion of the exam including drop instillation, visual assessment, confrontational visual field testing, pupil assessment, tonometry, glare testing, refractometry, pachymetry, and lensometry.