Non-Certified Ophthalmic Assistant OR Certified Ophthalmic Assistant OR Certified Ophthalmic Technician (Storm Eye Institute)

Medical University of South Carolina•Charleston, SC

64d•Onsite

About The Position

Join the region’s leading ophthalmic care team at the MUSC Health Storm Eye Institute, where innovation meets compassion. We are currently hiring for multiple levels within our ophthalmic team, including Non-Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (NCOA), Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA), and Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT). Storm Eye Institute treats adult and pediatric patients across a wide spectrum of conditions—from routine eye exams to highly specialized surgical care. As part of our team, you'll work with a collaborative group of clinicians in a high-impact setting where your skills directly enhance patient outcomes. Entity Medical University Hospital Authority (MUHA) Worker Type Employee Worker Sub-Type Regular Cost Center CC000683 CHS - Storm Eye Clinics (Main) Pay Rate Type Hourly Pay Grade Health-19 Scheduled Weekly Hours 40 Work Shift Job Description $2,000 Sign-On for COA External Applicants Job Summary/Purpose Non-Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (NCOA): Performs a variety of general patient care activities and ophthalmic diagnostic tests and assists ophthalmologists during clinical exams. Responsibilities include preparing patients for visits, collecting medical histories, performing basic vision screenings, and supporting the clinical team with administrative and procedural tasks to ensure efficient patient care and workflow. Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA): Performs advanced medical history intake and a range of ophthalmic diagnostic tests including visual acuity, color vision, tonometry, and basic slit-lamp exams. Administers dilation drops, assists with minor in-office procedures, and documents clinical findings in the patient’s medical record. Ensures exam rooms are fully prepared, maintains equipment and instruments, and follows infection control and sterilization protocols. Provides patient support and helps manage clinical communication. Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT): Performs all COA-level functions with increased autonomy and technical proficiency. Conducts complex diagnostic testing, operates advanced ophthalmic instruments, and may assist with intravitreal injections and post-operative care. Leads clinical workflow, mentors entry-level staff, and ensures high standards of patient care and clinic readiness. Serves as a liaison between ophthalmologists and patients, enhancing overall clinic efficiency and experience. Additional Job Description Qualifications & Requirements NCOA Requirements: Education: High school diploma or equivalent (GED). Experience: On the job training!! Certification: COA required within 12 months of hire. BLS: Basic Life Support certification required within 2 weeks of hire (MUSC Provides the BLS training FREE OF CHARGE!) COA Requirements: Education: High school diploma or equivalent. Experience: Minimum of 1 year of ophthalmic experience and completion of a certified assistant program or equivalent. Certification: JCAHPO Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA). BLS: Required within 2 weeks of hire (MUSC Provides the BLS training FREE OF CHARGE!) COT Requirements: Education: High school diploma or equivalent. Experience: Minimum of 2 years of specialized ophthalmic experience with completion of a certified technician program. Certification: JCAHPO Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT). BLS: Required within 2 weeks of hire (MUSC Provides the BLS training FREE OF CHARGE!) Why Join MUSC Storm Eye Institute? Monday–Friday schedule – No weekends, no holidays $2,000 sign-on bonus for external COA/COT applicants Career growth opportunities within South Carolina’s premier eye care institute Access to specialists in glaucoma, retina, cornea, oculoplastics, and pediatric ophthalmology Work at a facility that performs 3,500+ surgeries and sees 60,000+ patients annually across multiple locations Locations: Charleston, SC – Storm Eye Institute (Main Campus) If you like working with energetic enthusiastic individuals, you will enjoy your career with us! The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need. Medical University of South Carolina participates in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees. For further information about the E-Verify program, please click here: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/employees Thank you for wanting to be part of the Medical University of South Carolina team. Whether you want to teach the next generation of health care leaders, innovate new business models, discover the next breakthrough or provide patient care, there's a role for you that fuels your passion and takes advantage of your skills. There are career opportunities available in academics, research, hospital medicine, physician practices and support services, from patient billing to IT. As an applicant, you can search jobs for all MUSC entities as well as search by category and location. MUSC attracts more than $250 million annually in research funding, making it the biggest magnet for biomedical, extramural research dollars of all institutions of higher learning in South Carolina. The Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program aims to advance clinical and translational science to increase the speed at which new treatments become available to patients. MUSC Health, the clinical enterprise, operates a 750 bed medical center, which includes a nationally recognized Children’s Hospital, the Ashley River Tower (cardiovascular, digestive disease, and surgical oncology), Hollings Cancer Center (one of fewer than 70 elite National Cancer Institute designated centers), a Level I Trauma Center and the Institute of Psychiatry. In addition, there are more than 100 outreach clinics, hospital/health system affiliations, and telehealth sites. U.S. News & World Report placed us among the top one percent of all American hospitals, with 11 specialties in the top 50. The MUSC Medical Center is also one of only three Magnet® designated hospitals in South Carolina.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent (GED).
On the job training!!
COA required within 12 months of hire.
Basic Life Support certification required within 2 weeks of hire (MUSC Provides the BLS training FREE OF CHARGE!)
High school diploma or equivalent.
Minimum of 1 year of ophthalmic experience and completion of a certified assistant program or equivalent.
JCAHPO Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA).
Required within 2 weeks of hire (MUSC Provides the BLS training FREE OF CHARGE!)
High school diploma or equivalent.
Minimum of 2 years of specialized ophthalmic experience with completion of a certified technician program.
JCAHPO Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT).

Responsibilities

Performs a variety of general patient care activities and ophthalmic diagnostic tests and assists ophthalmologists during clinical exams.
Preparing patients for visits
Collecting medical histories
Performing basic vision screenings
Supporting the clinical team with administrative and procedural tasks to ensure efficient patient care and workflow.
Performs advanced medical history intake and a range of ophthalmic diagnostic tests including visual acuity, color vision, tonometry, and basic slit-lamp exams.
Administers dilation drops
Assists with minor in-office procedures
Documents clinical findings in the patient’s medical record.
Ensures exam rooms are fully prepared
Maintains equipment and instruments
Follows infection control and sterilization protocols.
Provides patient support and helps manage clinical communication.
Conducts complex diagnostic testing
Operates advanced ophthalmic instruments
May assist with intravitreal injections and post-operative care.
Leads clinical workflow
Mentors entry-level staff
Ensures high standards of patient care and clinic readiness.
Serves as a liaison between ophthalmologists and patients, enhancing overall clinic efficiency and experience.

Benefits

$2,000 sign-on bonus for external COA/COT applicants
Career growth opportunities within South Carolina’s premier eye care institute
Access to specialists in glaucoma, retina, cornea, oculoplastics, and pediatric ophthalmology

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