Refractive Technician, Ophthalmology

UT Southwestern Medical Center•Dallas, TX

About The Position

The Refractive Technician works under general supervision to perform diagnostic testing, assist in surgeries, and provide care to ophthalmic patients. The role includes assessing patients’ visual function and eligibility for refractive surgery, preparing patients for procedures, supporting the surgical team, and maintaining equipment, instruments, supplies, and patient databases. The technician also contributes to marketing meetings and reports, and trains or assists other ophthalmic staff as needed.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited, approved two-year program for ophthalmic technicians.
High school diploma or equivalent.
One year of experience as an ophthalmic technician, assistant, or equivalent with a high school diploma.
Upon hire, hold the required Ophthalmic Technician certification (COT) from the Joint Commission of Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology, and the applicable certification for Keratome, VISX, LADAR, or Intralase.

Nice To Haves

Certified Ophthalmic Technician credential from the International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (IJCAHPO), upon hire.
RxSight Light Delivery Device (LDD) certification within six months of hire.
WaveLight Topolyzer certification within six months of hire.
WaveLight FS200 femtosecond laser certification within six months of hire.
WaveLight EX500 excimer laser certification within six months of hire.

Responsibilities

Acquire complete patient histories and assess and record visual function, including acuity, color vision, color comparison, stereo acuity, retinoscopy, and wavescan as indicated.
Participate in patient screening to determine whether refractive error qualifies a patient as a potential refractive surgery candidate.
Obtain patient consent and required paperwork, and provide preoperative and postoperative instructions.
Prepare and escort patients into the surgery suite and postoperative examination room.
Enter patient data into the laser and verify the surgical site and parameters with the surgeon.
Calibrate the laser or Intralase on each surgery day.
Assist with intraoperative pachymetry and act as surgery circulator during procedures.
Set up the sterile field with required instruments and medications.
Calibrate and set the blade for the microkeratome.
Clean and autoclave instruments after procedures.
Contribute to marketing meetings and provide necessary supporting data reports.
Maintain the laser center patient and candidate database.
Maintain inventory and supplies and place timely orders, including for patient postoperative packs.
Train and assist other ophthalmic staff as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

PPO medical plan, available on day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage.
Preventive healthcare coverage at 100% with no copay.
Paid time off, available on day one.
Retirement programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS).
Paid parental leave.
Wellness programs.
Tuition reimbursement.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) qualified employer.
Healthcare, PTO, and paid holidays.
On-site childcare.
Wage and merit increases.