OPHTHALMIC TECHNICIAN

Slocum Dickson Medical Group•Town of New Hartford, NY

20h•Onsite

About The Position

The Ophthalmic Technician will be responsible for the daily preparation of exam rooms, minor surgery areas, instruments, equipment, and supplies. This role involves the care, cleaning, and basic maintenance of instruments and equipment, as well as monitoring room supplies to ensure readiness. The technician will obtain and accurately record patient medical histories, measure visual acuity and refractive errors, conduct external eye exams, and perform refractometry. They will also safely measure intraocular pressure, instill eye medications as directed, and perform special tests. Assisting with minor surgery using aseptic technique, taking notes during physician exams, and transcribing medication prescriptions are key duties. The role requires familiarity with emergency procedures, patient education, and medical record keeping. Additionally, the technician will assist with medication inventory, continuously update knowledge and skills, maintain professional conduct and confidentiality, and may be exposed to hazardous drugs. The position involves direct interaction with patients, families, physicians, and staff, requiring effective communication and the ability to maintain good working relationships.

Requirements

Graduated from High School or completed GED requirements.
BLS certificate required, or to be obtained within 3 months from start of employment.
Must be able to tolerate standing and walking for significant periods of time.
Must also be able to lift, stoop, bend and stretch.
Must have correctable visions and hearing and legible handwriting.
Requires manual dexterity sufficient to operate standard office equipment such as computer, fax, calculators and telephone.

Responsibilities

Daily preparation of each exam room and minor surgery, instruments, equipment and supplies.
Care, cleaning and basic maintenance of instruments and equipment and the constant monitoring of room supplies to insure the readiness of each exam room.
Obtain concise, complete oculo-medical history; to record this history accurately, legibly and in an easy-to-interpret format.
Accurately measure and record the refractive power of corrective lenses.
Accurately assess the patient’s best visual acuity both with and without correction and to accurately record these results.
Conduct brief external exam: To understand and recognize normal findings in order to appreciate abnormal findings; to record findings accurately and proceed appropriately with the preliminary work-up.
Understand the principles and techniques of refractometry and to effectively arrive at subjective measurement of the refractive state of the eye; to record such findings accurately.
Safety and accurately measure and record the IOP of the eye; to recognize abnormal findings and proceed appropriately with the exam.
Understand the purpose and procedure for safely instilling eye medications as directed by the physicians; to recognize adverse effects and to take measures to prevent such reactions.
Perform special tests as required and directed by the physicians. To understand purpose and procedure for the test ordered, to explain the test to the patient and record results accurately.
Prepare for and assist with minor surgery, utilizing aseptic technique.
Function as a note taker; to accurately and completely record the physician’s exam of the patient; to assist the physician in ways that will maximize his performance.
Understand uses of ophthalmic medications, to instill safely and as directed by the doctor; to transcribe medication prescriptions as dictated by the physician, to provide the patient with approved medication information, and to understand use of P.D.R. as a reference.
Be familiar with emergency procedures in order to respond appropriately.
Be familiar with patient education material, to provide such material to patients when appropriate, and to assist patients in obtaining answers to questions regarding their ophthalmic health care.
Understand medical record filing system in order to participate in the daily care of such records; to assist with the completion of necessary forms.
Assist with medication inventory and to monitor expiration dates of medications.
Continually strive to expand and update knowledge and skills necessary to provide quality patient care.
Display attitude and conduct which is conducive to establishing and maintaining good working relationships; to maintain confidentiality of all clinic matters.
Maintain good attendance record and appearance as established by the guidelines within the employees’ manual.
Assist in other departments as the need arises and as directed by Clinic Manager.
Abide by Slocum Dickson Medical Groups confidentiality laws.
May be exposed to hazardous drugs.
Attends OSHA training upon initial employee orientation and annually completes an OSHA competency.