Optometry Technician

Ochsner Health•Covington, LA

About The Position

Provides individualized, direct patient care to assigned patients under the supervision of a licensed healthcare provider and assists with delivering healthcare services. Works with fellow employees to provide personalized patient care and maintain positive working relationships with the healthcare team. Provides care and service to patients across assigned age groups. The role supports clinic operations and ophthalmic examinations by managing patient flow, preparing patients and exam areas, collecting and documenting patient information, performing vision-related tests, and assisting with contact lenses and instruments. The employee must follow clinic and ophthalmic standards, maintain confidentiality, and comply with applicable laws, accreditation standards, regulations, and the employer’s Compliance & Privacy Program. This position requires medium physical work, including exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, 10 to 25 pounds frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects. Mechanical lifting devices or team lifts should be used. The employee must be able to sit or stand for prolonged periods. Routine work involves no exposure to blood, body fluid, or tissue, and does not involve emergency care or first aid. There is no occupational risk of exposure to communicable diseases; the healthcare setting may present risk of exposure to hazardous medications or waste.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association.
Computer and/or mainframe terminal skills, multi-line telephone skills, and dexterity for data entry and information retrieval.
Effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present information clearly and professionally to individuals at varying levels throughout the patient care process.
Proficiency with Windows-style applications, role-specific software packages, and keyboarding.
Good interpersonal skills.
Ability and experience working with and maintaining confidential information.
Experience working in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision.
Ability to transcribe information accurately, neatly, and clearly.
Skill in working to prescribed clinic and ophthalmic standards.
Ability to use equipment, perform tests, and read results as needed, including visual acuity, extraocular motility, pupil evaluation, confrontational fields, color vision, stereo vision, tonopen/applanation tonometry, lensometry, keratometry, eye irrigation, refractometry, manual A-scan measurements, topography, brightness acuity testing, and slit lamp examination.
Ability to assist with removal and insertion of contact lenses.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Ophthalmic Medical Technology.
Two years of experience or an Associate’s degree in Ophthalmic Assisting.
Experience with ophthalmology examinations in a high-patient-volume department.
Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT) certification through JCAHPO.

Responsibilities

Manage patient flow in and out of exam rooms to support clinic operations.
Retrieve and collate patient information for the provider.
Clean, stock, and maintain exam rooms, procedure rooms, instruments, and equipment, and prepare patients for provider examinations.
Obtain near and distant visual acuity, Amsler grid, Worth 4-dot, color vision, stereo vision, and basal tear secretion test results.
Pull patient contact lens records for optometrist review.
Clean, disinfect, and pack instruments for autoclaving.
Document pertinent patient information in the medical record according to department guidelines, including vital signs, height, weight, allergies, brief history, patient instructions, and communication of test results.
Ensure future appointments are scheduled or communicated and referrals or pre-authorizations are initiated and obtained.
Adapt behavior to the patient population, including respecting privacy, introducing oneself appropriately, explaining services or procedures, requesting permissions, and adapting communication style.
Remain knowledgeable about applicable federal, state, and local laws, accreditation standards, and regulatory requirements, and ensure compliance.
Report known or suspected unethical or questionable conduct and patient or employee safety, privacy, or other compliance-related concerns.
Perform other related duties as required.