Ophthalmic Assistant II

Beth Israel Lahey Health

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Ophthalmic Assistant II, certified by JCAHPO as a COA, COT or COMT, fulfills numerous functions to prepare patients for evaluation by an Ophthalmologist and/or Optometrist. This includes acquiring health histories from patients, performing preliminary eye function testing, administering eye drops, managing patient flow, and maintaining equipment. The role also performs refractions. Essential responsibilities involve escorting patients, taking complete eye-focused histories, reviewing allergies and medications, performing visual acuity tests, measuring intraocular pressure using tonopens and applanation, and administering eye drops. The assistant performs various diagnostic tests such as visual fields, A/B ultrasonic scans, autorefraction, OCT, fundus photography, lensometry, and topography. They are also responsible for monitoring provider schedules and patient flow, gathering and coordinating patient record information, managing supply rooms, stocking exam rooms, cleaning and maintaining equipment, and coordinating repairs. The position requires on-the-job training for new tasks and ancillary skills, and participation in employer-sponsored training and continuing education.

Requirements

High School diploma or GED required.
Certificate 1 Cert Ophthalmic Asst required.
1-3 years related work experience required.
Certification as COA, COT or COMT by JCAHPO.
Minimum 1 year experience in an ophthalmology practice or graduate of accredited Ophthalmic Assistant program.
Experience with computer systems required, including web based applications and some Microsoft Office applications which may include Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint or Access.
Ability to make decisions that are guided by precedents, policies and objectives.
Ability to address problems that are varied, requiring analysis or interpretation of the situation using direct observation, knowledge and skills based on general precedents.
Ability to set goals and determines how to accomplish defined results with some guidelines.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in written English with internal and external customers.
Ability to comprehend and converse in English to communicate effectively with medical center staff, patients, families and external customers.
Ability to demonstrate full working knowledge of standard concepts, practices, procedures and policies with the ability to use them in varied situations.
Ability to work collaboratively in small teams to improve the operations of immediate work group by offering ideas, identifying issues, and respecting team members.
Ability to provide a high level of customer service to patients, visitors, staff and external customers in a professional, service-oriented, respectful manner using skills in active listening and problem solving.
Ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
Competent to provide patient care to age groups: Young adult: 16-30 years, Middle Age: 30 - 60 years, Elderly: 60 -.

Nice To Haves

Vocational or Technical training in accredited program for Ophthalmic Assistant preferred.

Responsibilities

Escorts patients to and from exam rooms.
Takes a complete history focusing on the patient's eye symptoms.
Reviews allergies and medications.
Performs visual acuity tests and uses tonopens and applanation to measure intraocular pressure.
Administers eye drops in preparation for the eye exam.
Performs visual fields, A/B ultrasonic scans, autorefraction, OCT, fundus photography, lensometry and topography.
Performs refractions.
Monitors provider schedules and patient flow.
Gathers and coordinates information necessary for patient records.
Monitors supply rooms and keeps exam rooms stocked and supplied.
Cleans and maintains equipment and coordinates repairs as needed.
Trains on the job for new tasks and ancillary skills as needed.
Participates in employer sponsored training and continuing education.