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The ophthalmic technician provides primary ophthalmic care to patients and assists physicians during examinations and procedures. Responsibilities include performing preliminary exams, documenting patient information, and maintaining equipment and supplies.
Requirements summary
A high school diploma is required, along with a minimum of one year of experience in optometry or ophthalmology. Certification as a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) is preferred within a specified timeframe after hire.
Under the general supervision of the Chief Lead Technician; the ophthalmic technician performs a range of duties which includes preparing the patient to see the Attending Physician (preliminary exam, medical history, & testing), preparation of examination and treatment rooms, performing basic and routine vision screening examinations, administering eye medications, cleaning and maintaining ophthalmic instruments and assisting physicians during minor surgical and laser procedures.
Essential Functions Performance Expectation: Provides primary ophthalmic care to patients and acts as clinical assistant to the physician.
Verifies patient information by interviewing patient, recording medical history, and confirming purpose of visit Performs complete ophthalmic history and preliminary exams, sub-specialty tests (refraction, VF test, A-Scan Biometry (Lenstar, IOL Master, Immersion), Pachymetry, PAM evaluation, BAT, color testing, contact lens evaluation.
Performance Expectation: Accurately records all information in EMR (EPIC) system according to established standards and physician requirements and those required by VCUHS with 95 % accuracy.
Checks condition of patients' eyes by performing slit lamp examination and documenting abnormalities, confrontation visual field, pupil evaluation, motility screening, visual acuity, refraction, and tonometry with applanation.
Prepares patients for ophthalmology examination by dilating pupils, changes in visual acuity, elevated extraocular pressure and communicating results to Attending Physician.
Secures patient information and maintains patient confidence by completing and safeguarding medical records, completing diagnostic ordering, and keeping patient information confidential.
Performance Expectation: Counsels patients by transmitting physician's orders, use of drops, contact lenses, drugs, and answering questions about surgery and specialty imagining required/ordered.
Keeps equipment operating by following operating instructions, troubleshooting breakdowns, maintaining supplies, performing preventive maintenance, and promptly reporting equipment issues.
Handling patient phone calls, messages, messages from MyChart, and prescription refill requests.
Performs set a standard number of patient work-ups based on established times while maintaining the quality of customer service.
Performance Expectation: Opening and closing examination rooms ensuring that equipment is cleaned and stocked properly.
Maintains stock in the exam room in accordance with the standard inventory of the department.
Maintains treatment room stock and prepares instruments for sterilization or High-Level Disinfection (HLD) Sets up and prep for minor OR procedures to include setting sterile tray and maintaining the sterile field.
Performance Expectation: Maintains a safe, secure, and healthy work environment by establishing and following policies and procedures of the department and complying with legal regulations, JCAHPO, and VCUHS Follows attendance and dress code policies Performance Expectation: Must be able to work at alternative VCUHS Ophthalmology locations as needed Licensure, Certification, or Registration Requirements for Hire: N/A Licensure, Certification, or Registration Requirements for continued employment: Successfully completion of the American Academy of Ophthalmology Ophthalmic Medial Assisting Course within 12 months.
Obtain Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) by the Joint Commission of Allied Health Personnel (JCAHPO) within twenty-four (24) months of hire date.
Experience REQUIRED: Minimum of one (1) year of work experience in optometric/ophthalmology performing initial examinations and diagnostic testing Experience PREFERRED: Minimum of two (2) years of work experience in ophthalmology performing initial examinations and diagnostic testing.
Certified Medical Assistant (CMA).
Previous experience in an academic health care environment.
Education/training REQUIRED: High School Diploma or equivalent Education/training PREFERRED: Successful completion of Ophthalmic Assistant Program, Certified Medical Assistant, Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) by the Joint Commission of Allied Health Personnel (JCAHPO), Certified Medical Assistant (CMA).
Independent action(s) required: Independently performs perform complete ophthalmic history and preliminary exams, sub-specialty testing, maintains equipment and coordinates patient flow.
Additional position requirements: Other duties as assigned Must be willing to work at all office locations.
Age Specific groups served: All Physical Requirements (includes use of assistance devices as appropriate): Physical - Lifting 20-50 lbs.
Activities
Prolonged standing,
Walking (distance)
Mental/Sensory: Strong recall, Reasoning, Problem solving, Hearing,
Speak clearly,
Write legibly,
Reading,
Logical thinking
Emotional: Fast pace environment, Able to handle multiple priorities, Frequent and intense customer interactions, Able to adapt to frequent change EEO Employer/Disabled/Protected Veteran
Who We Are
Inventing better care, day by day by discovery Sound outrageous? It absolutely is. Sound impossible? That’s never stopped us before. Sound like hard work, intense research, collaboration with experts around the world, sheer brainpower meets unrelenting willpower? That’s. Exactly. Right. We’ll do whatever it takes to offer the best in care and empower the best in quality of life. And it’s an approach that works — whether it’s a patient who undergoes a new, life-saving procedure or a clinical researcher who finds promise in a new cancer treatment, exciting new medicine is happening at VCU Health. We have it all:
One college and four health sciences schools
An academic medical center
A Level I trauma center
One of only two NCI-designated cancer centers in Virginia
The region’s only full-service children’s hospital
More than 800 physicians in 200 specialties
With a community health center, dedicated research teams, facilities and valued partners in every field Our medical teams are top notch. And we’re not too shy to boast of internationally known physicians, some recognized as the best in the country, top-ranked local specialists and all-around all-stars at every level. From our very first years to our most recent advancements, we are driven to learn more, dig deeper, teach passionately and never rest in order to be a true leader in discovering what’s possible in health and recovery. We are a comprehensive system of care and a pioneer of health. Read VCU Health Year In Review for more about our accomplishments.
