Certified Ophthalmic Assistant

Summit Health•New Britain, CT

About The Position

We’re a physician-led, patient-centric network committed to simplifying health care and bringing a more connected kind of care. Our primary, multispecialty, and urgent care providers serve millions of patients in traditional practices, patients' homes and virtually through VillageMD and our operating companies Village Medical, Village Medical at Home, Summit Health, CityMD, and Starling Physicians. When you join our team, you become part of a compassionate community of people who work hard every day to make health care better for all. We are innovating value-based care and leveraging integrated applications, population insights and staffing expertise to ensure all patients have access to high-quality, connected care services that provide better outcomes at a reduced total cost of care. Please Note: We will only contact candidates regarding your applications from one of the following domains: @summithealth.com, @citymd.net, @villagemd.com, @villagemedical.com, @westmedgroup.com, @starlingphysicians.com, or @bmctotalcare.com. Job Description Position Summary: The Ophthalmic Lead Assistant is responsible for supporting the clinical team by providing guidance, technical assistance, and oversight of daily workflow operations. This role serves as a mentor to ophthalmic technicians, supports onboarding and training, monitors inventory (including pharmaceuticals), and helps maintain high standards of patient care and operational efficiency.

Requirements

A High School Degree or GED
Friendly and professional with excellent bedside manner
Computer and typing skills are required - minimum of 45 wpm
Flexible with full-time work schedule including rotating weekends
Passion for helping others in an outpatient setting
Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills
High attention to detail and being able to work in a team environment
Must exhibit passion for outstanding results and compassion for those we work with and serve
Ability to commute to satellite offices as needed, required

Nice To Haves

Ophthalmic Assistant Certification by JCAHPO or Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT) preferred.
3+ years of Ophthalmology experience preferred
Experience in any service industry a plus
Bilingual language skills required or preferred based on-site location

Responsibilities

Clinical Support and Oversight Serve as the primary point of contact for ophthalmic technicians with clinical questions or workflow concerns.
Provide real-time support in clinic to ensure efficient patient flow and adherence to protocols.
Step in to assist with patient care duties as needed, including visual acuities, OCTs, IOPs, and injections.
Ensure timely patient flow and minimize provider downtime.
Training and Development Train new ophthalmic technicians on clinical procedures, EMR documentation, and patient interaction.
Monitor progress of new hires and provide regular feedback to supervisors.
Conduct periodic skills assessments and identify opportunities for retraining or improvement.
Support continued education initiatives and maintain clinical standards.
Inventory Management Monitor clinical and supply inventory, including medications, diagnostic supplies, and PPE.
Coordinate with purchasing staff to ensure appropriate par levels and timely reorders.
Oversee organization and cleanliness of supply areas and exam rooms.
Drug Inventory Oversight Track and log expiration dates of all injectable medications (e.g., Avastin, Eylea, Vabysmo, biosimilars).
Ensure compliance with proper storage and handling protocols.
Coordinate with appropriate staff to remove or return expired or soon-to-expire medications.
Approve drug ordering.
Triage and Communication Provide direction for scheduling urgent/emergent appointments based on symptoms or history.
Help coordinate patient communication related to clinical follow-ups, reschedules, or treatment changes.
Leadership and Accountability Model professionalism and teamwork within the clinical staff.
Serve as a liaison between clinical techs and management.
Promote a culture of safety, efficiency, and exceptional patient care.
Communicate regularly with clinical supervisor and practice leadership on staffing needs, clinic flow, or concerns.
Participate in staff meetings and provide updates or training refreshers to the team
Staff Guidance & Mentoring Serve as a resource for other technicians with questions about clinical procedures, equipment, or patient care.
Provide real-time troubleshooting and support during busy clinics.
Mentor and support new technicians during training, assisting with skills development and procedural knowledge.
Help foster accountability by modeling professionalism and teamwork.