Administrative Assistant III (Surgery Coordinator) - Ophthalmology, Santa Monica

UCLA Health; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 44,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

UCLA Health in Santa Monica, CA seeks a Surgery Coordinator to manage all aspects of surgical scheduling for ophthalmology in a multi-specialty clinic. You will coordinate procedures, schedule pre-operative testing, verify insurance, and guide patients through pre- and post-operative steps.

The role requires strong organizational and communication skills, plus experience with medical billing and scheduling systems. Workweek is Monday–Friday, 8:00AM–5:00PM, with indefinite employment.

Qualifications

• 2 years of experience in a medical practice, preferably ophthalmology or another surgical specialty.
• Experience with patient billing practices, managed care plans, Medicare, Medi-Cal, and commercial insurance carriers.
• Ability to explain complex surgical scheduling and authorization processes to patients in a clear and supportive manner.
• Experience scheduling patient appointments in computerized appointment scheduling system.
• Excellent organizational skills to assure consistently effective and accurate scheduling of surgeries, communications with patients, co-workers and surgeons.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to deal effectively and in a positive manner with patients of varying backgrounds and temperaments, physicians and staff.
• Excellent verbal communication skills to facilitate the scheduling process and instructing patients about the process.
• Ability to prioritize work effectively and follow-through on tasks with minimal supervision.
• Strong organizational skills in maintaining records to facilitate sharing records with co-worker.
• Flexible personality and the ability to function well despite numerous interruptions.
• Ability to work well under the stress of occasional emergencies that need immediate scheduling.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and schedule patient surgical and laser procedures for assigned faculty physicians.
• Schedule required pre-operative testing and appointments.
• Verify patient insurance coverage and obtain necessary prior authorizations, and provide guidance on billing.
• Serve as a patient liaison, guiding patients through the pre- and post-operative process.
• Maintain accurate documentation and patient records within the electronic medical record system.
• Provide general clinic and administrative support as needed to ensure smooth daily operations.

Skills

Excellent organizational skills

Verbal communication

Interpersonal skills

Patient scheduling experience

Explain complex processes

Medical practice experience

Tools

EMR system

Scheduling software

Job description

Work Location: Santa Monica, CA, USA

Work Schedule

Monday-Friday 8:00AM-5:00PM

Posted Date

11/10/2026

Salary Range: $31.88 - 45.66 Hourly

Employment Type

Duration

Indefinite

Job #

33972

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

We are seeking a highly organized and patient-centered Surgery Coordinator to coordinate all aspects of surgical coordinating for ophthalmologists in our multi-specialty ophthalmic clinic in Santa Monica . Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Coordinate and schedule patient surgical and laser procedures for assigned faculty physicians
• Schedule required pre-operative testing and appointments
• Verify patient insurance coverage and obtain necessary prior authorizations, and provide guidance on billing
• Serve as a patient liaison, guiding patients through the pre- and post-operative process
• Maintain accurate documentation and patient records within the electronic medical record system
• Provide general clinic and administrative support as needed to ensure smooth daily operations

Salary Range: $31.88-45.66 Hourly

Job Qualifications

Required:

• 2 years of experience working in a medical practice, preferably in ophthalmology or another surgical specialty.
• Experience with patient billing practices, managed care plans, Medicare, Medi-Cal, and commercial insurance carriers.
• Ability to explain complex surgical scheduling and authorization processes to patients in a clear and supportive manner.
• Experience scheduling patient appointments in computerized appointment scheduling system.
• Excellent organizational skills to assure consistently effective and accurate scheduling of surgeries, communications with patients, co-workers and surgeons.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to deal effectively and in a positive manner with patients of varying backgrounds and temperaments, physicians and staff.
• Excellent verbal communication skills to facilitate the scheduling process and instructing patients about the process.
• Ability to prioritize work effectively and follow-through on tasks with minimal supervision.
• Strong organizational skills in maintaining records to facilitate sharing records with co-worker.
• Flexible personality and the ability to function well despite numerous interruptions.
• Ability to work well under the stress of occasional emergencies that need immediate scheduling.

Highly Preferred:

• Experience working in an ophthalmic office, especially Cataract & Refractive Surgery to include p remium intraocular lenses.
• Experience working in a medical teaching institution.

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer. Current/former UC employees are subject to a personnel file review.