Ophthalmic Assistant

SSM Health • Greendale, WI

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Join Our Mission At SSM Health, we are committed to providing exceptional care and creating a healing environment for our patients. We are seeking a dedicated Ophthalmic Assistant to join our ophthalmology team and support our mission of delivering compassionate, high-quality eye care. Job Summary The Ophthalmic Assistant plays a vital role in assisting ophthalmologists and optometrists with patient care, diagnostic testing, and clinical procedures. This position ensures smooth clinic operations and an excellent patient experience. Job Summary: Participates in the care and treatment of eye care patients utilizing and performing unique and complex skills distinctive to ophthalmology. Demonstrates accountability to patients, peers, and other health team members through positive customer relations and effective communication. Provides care for children and adult patients of all ages.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Completion of an accredited ophthalmic assistant program preferred.
• COA (Certified Ophthalmic Assistant) certification strongly preferred or willingness to obtain within 18 months of hire.
• Previous experience in ophthalmology or optometry setting is a plus.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced clinical environment.
• High School diploma/GED or 10 years of work experience
• One year health care experience
• Resuscitation Certification Requirement: Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider (BLS HCP) required within 90 day of employment.
• Other resuscitation certifications may be required dependent on department.

Nice To Haves

• Completion of an accredited ophthalmic assistant program
• COA (Certified Ophthalmic Assistant) certification
• Previous experience in ophthalmology or optometry setting

Responsibilities

• Prepare patients for eye examinations and procedures.
• Perform preliminary vision tests, including visual acuity, tonometry, and refraction.
• Assist with diagnostic imaging such as OCT, fundus photography, and visual field testing.
• Document patient history and maintain accurate medical records in the EMR system.
• Educate patients on eye health, medications, and post-procedure care.
• Maintain and clean ophthalmic instruments and equipment.
• Support physicians during minor procedures and surgeries as needed.
• Assists eye care providers in the exam and treatment of patients.
• Initiates documentation of the patient’s chief complaint, history of present illness, review of systems, and all pertinent ocular findings.
• Perform testing to include visual acuity measurement, color vision testing, lensometry, keratometry, testing pupil function, tonometry, automated perimetry, evaluation of EOMs (Extra-Ocular Muscle), confrontation visual field testing, low vision, dry eye testing, specialty contact demos, and other patient services as requested by the provider.
• Assists with dry eye procedures, surgical procedures, and laser treatments in the office, including lesion removals, oculoplastic procedures, corneal crosslinking, diode lasers and sutures.
• Acts as a scribe by documenting clinically relevant interaction and dialogue during the course of the patient visit.
• Provides advanced patient education regarding surgery and treatments under direction of eye care provider.
• Provides pre-surgical workups, measurements, and testing to inform the diagnostic decisions of the physicians.
• Participates in emergency patient workups for sight-threatening conditions (i.e. retinal detachment).
• Maintains inventory of surgical instruments in accordance with system and department standards.
• Completes requests for prescription refills as authorized by provider with full documentation in patient chart.
• Screens patients and calls for emergency/urgent situations; obtains pertinent information for provider.
• Works in a constant state of alertness and safe manner.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Opportunities for professional growth and certification support.
• A mission-driven organization focused on holistic patient care.
• Collaborative and supportive team environment.
• Paid Parental Leave: we offer eligible team members one week of paid parental leave for newborns or newly adopted children (pro-rated based on FTE).
• Flexible Payment Options: our voluntary benefit offered through DailyPay offers eligible hourly team members instant access to their earned, unpaid base pay (fees may apply) before payday.
• Upfront Tuition Coverage: we provide upfront tuition coverage through FlexPath Funded for eligible team members.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED