Ophthalmic Technician Trainee

Vanderbilt University Medical Center•Nashville, TN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Center for Programs in Allied Health is pleased to announce the Ophthalmic Technician Trainee Program, an innovative on-the-job training opportunity designed to prepare participants for a career in ophthalmic care. This structured program spans 52 weeks (12 months) and provides hands-on training, practical experience, and skill development in a clinical setting. Trainees will gain exposure to essential ophthalmic procedures, patient care practices, and professional competencies required for success in the field. The program is ideal for individuals seeking entry-level clinical experience and a pathway into allied health professions. The Ophthalmic Assistant (OPA) certification program is designed to recognize entry level assistants who have demonstrated the experience, knowledge and skills necessary to provide competent services. Allied health is among the fastest growing occupations in healthcare today. This area can be defined as credentialed professionals who perform supportive, diagnostic, and therapeutic health care services to promote health and prevent disease in a variety of settings. These areas are crucial to Vanderbilt Health’s reputation for excellence in these areas that has made us a major center for patient referrals from throughout the Mid-South. Each year, people throughout Tennessee and the southeast choose Vanderbilt Health for their health care because of our leadership in medical science and our dedication to treating patients with dignity and compassion.

Requirements

No prior experience necessary.
All prior experiences will be considered, and we welcome all to apply.
High School Diploma or GED
Relevant Work Experience
Experience Level : 1 year
Ophthalmic Testing (Novice): Possesses sufficient fundamental proficiency to successfully demonstrate ophthalmic testing in practical applications of moderate difficulty. Generally works under the direction of others while accomplishing assignments.
Ophthalmic Disorders (Novice): Possesses sufficient fundamental proficiency to successfully demonstrate the knowledge/care of ophthalmic disorders in practical applications of moderate difficulty. Generally works under the direction of others while accomplishing assignments.
Ophthalmology (Novice): Possesses sufficient fundamental proficiency to successfully demonstrate competency of ophthalmology in practical applications of moderate difficulty.
Patient Evaluation (Fundamental Awareness): Has limited experience, training, direct exposure, or past experience conducting a simple patient evaluations. Capable of identifying the health risks and patient needs.

Nice To Haves

At the end of the program, you will be prepared to advance your career by becoming an Ophthalmic Assistant.
As an Ophthalmic Assistant, you will perform basic ophthalmic work ups for new and return patients under regular guidance.
Provide general clinical support such as performing visual fields or other patient testing.
You will learn to perform both basic and intermediate ophthalmic exam techniques including some specialized testing.
All training will be based upon The International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (IJCAHPO) Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA).
IJCAHPO is the premier destination for Allied Ophthalmic Personnel (AOP) continuing education worldwide.

Responsibilities

Performs ophthalmic work up for new and return patients with occasional guidance.
Performs both basic and intermediate ophthalmic exam techniques including specialized testing.
Provides general clinical support functions.
Provides basic and intermediate ophthalmic workup and specialized testing with minimal supervision.
Assists faculty, residents and technical staff with daily clinical needs as directed.
Interacts with the patient in a professional manner using AIDET techniques.
Maintains clean working environment, stocked rooms, equipment, and EOC guidelines.
Delivers job responsibilities that impact own job area/team with some guidance.
Uses existing procedures, research and analysis to solve standard job related problems that may require some judgement.
Individually contributes to project/ work teams.
Continuously improves own skills by identifying development opportunities.
Seeks to understand colleagues priorities, working styles and develops relationships across areas.
Openly shares information with others and communicates in a clear and courteous manner.
Invests time to understand the problems, needs of others and how to provide excellent service.
Seeks to understand issues, solves routine problems, and raises proper concerns to supervisors in a timely manner.
Listens carefully to understand the issues and provides accurate information and support.
Checks work quality before delivery and asks relevant questions to meet quality standards.
Shows eagerness to learn new knowledge, technologies, tools or systems and displays willingness to go above and beyond.
Demonstrates basic knowledge of conditions that affect safety and reports unsafe conditions to the appropriate person or department.
Takes responsibility for completing assigned activities and thinks beyond standard approaches to provide high-quality work/service.
Displays understanding of how personal actions will impact departmental resources.
Uses accurate information and good decision making to consistently achieve results on time and without error.
Willingly proposes/accepts ideas or initiatives that will impact day-to-day operations by offering suggestions to enhance them.
Absorbs new technology quickly; understands when to utilize the appropriate tools and procedures to ensure proper course of action.
Embraces changes by keeping an open mind to changing plans and incorporates change instructions into own area of work.