Assistant, Optometry Certified Float

Kaiser Permanente Northwest; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 44,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Kaiser Permanente Northwest is seeking an Optometry Support Specialist to assist doctors of optometry in providing general care. Under doctor supervision, you will record patient histories, take vitals, and perform pre-testing and testing procedures to improve efficiency and outcomes.

You will manage triage calls, schedule coordination, and ensure instruments and medications remain sterile. Strong communication and teamwork are essential in this role within the Rockwood Medical Offices system.

Qualifications

• Minimum two (2) years of previous experience in optometric or other ophthalmic practice.
• Hands-on experience with ophthalmic instruments and pret testing is preferred.
• Strong communication and customer-service skills.
• Ability to work under the supervision of a doctor and coordinate with team.

Responsibilities

• Accurately record patients’ medical and visual history and prepare clinical information for doctors.
• Take and record patient vitals in EMR and perform pre-testing and testing (OCT, Visual Fields, Diabetic Photos).
• Maintain instruments and equipment and ensure sterility of ophthalmic medications.
• Respond to patient concerns and triage as needed and coordinate care with other KP departments.
• Coordinate patient optometric care with optical dispensing, membership services, and ophthalmology.
• Follow KP policies and perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Patient care

Team coordination

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Job Summary

To assist and support doctors of optometry in a collaborative relationship to provide patients with optimum levels of general optometric care. Under the direct supervision of the doctor, will provide technical and support assistance to improve the efficacy and efficiency of the doctors of optometry.

• Accurately record patients medical and visual history, review and prepare other clinical information (PST, Medicare refresh, etc.) for doctor(s). Take and record patient vitals when indicated in EMR. Perform appropriate pre-testing, such as but not limited to assessing gross visual skills, extraocular muscle action and pupillary reflexes. Perform OCT, Visual Fields and Diabetic Photos. Maintain accurate records and reports as instructed by the doctor. Instill eye-drops when ordered by the doctor. Assist in therapeutic procedures such as foreign body removal.
• Receive and process phone calls and other patient communication, from patients, assess the nature of the situation and manage triage accordingly. Manage all aspects of doctor(s) schedule, including booking appointments.
• Maintain diagnostic and therapeutic instruments and equipment to insure that they are clean and accurate. Assess condition of instruments and arrange for repair and/or recalibration as necessary. Maintain instruments and medications for ophthalmic therapeutics; insure that instruments and medications are available and sterile.
• Respond to patient concerns and resolve or forward them to the proper person or area for resolution.
• Coordinate patient optometric care with optical dispensing, membership services, family practice, ophthalmology, pharmacy and other KP departments and services.
• Follow all KP policies, procedures, and behavior guidelines and standards for the treatment of members and confidentiality of their care. Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Summary

To assist and support doctors of optometry in a collaborative relationship to provide patients with optimum levels of general optometric care. Under the direct supervision of the doctor, will provide technical and support assistance to improve the efficacy and efficiency of the doctors of optometry.

Essential Responsibilities

• Accurately record patients medical and visual history, review and prepare other clinical information (PST, Medicare refresh, etc.) for doctor(s). Take and record patient vitals when indicated in EMR. Perform appropriate pre-testing, such as but not limited to assessing gross visual skills, extraocular muscle action and pupillary reflexes. Perform OCT, Visual Fields and Diabetic Photos. Maintain accurate records and reports as instructed by the doctor. Instill eye-drops when ordered by the doctor. Assist in therapeutic procedures such as foreign body removal.
• Receive and process phone calls and other patient communication, from patients, assess the nature of the situation and manage triage accordingly. Manage all aspects of doctor(s) schedule, including booking appointments.
• Maintain diagnostic and therapeutic instruments and equipment to insure that they are clean and accurate. Assess condition of instruments and arrange for repair and/or recalibration as necessary. Maintain instruments and medications for ophthalmic therapeutics; insure that instruments and medications are available and sterile.
• Respond to patient concerns and resolve or forward them to the proper person or area for resolution.
• Coordinate patient optometric care with optical dispensing, membership services, family practice, ophthalmology, pharmacy and other KP departments and services.
• Follow all KP policies, procedures, and behavior guidelines and standards for the treatment of members and confidentiality of their care. Perform other duties as assigned.

Experience

Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum two (2) years of previous experience in optometric or other ophthalmic practice.

Education

• High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED) required.

License, Certification, Registration

• Paraoptometric Technician Certificate within 24 months of hire from American Optometric Association OR Certified Ophthalmic Technician within 24 months of hire from International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology OR Certified Ophthalmic Assistant within 24 months of hire from International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology OR Paraoptometric Assistant Certificate within 24 months of hire from American Optometric Association

Additional Requirements

• Demonstrated experience and competence with ophthalmic instruments, including: auto-refractor, auto-lensometer, non-contact tonometer, Titmus vision tester, Snellen chart, visual acuity projector, and visual field testing equipment.
• Demonstrated proficiency in use of instruments and equipment for preliminary testing, ancillary testing and in the application of eye-drops.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to function effectively in a professional environment within a managed practice organization. Familiarity with optometric and optical terminology.
• Familiarity with optometric instruments and equipment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three (3) years of previous experience in optometric or other ophthalmic practice.
• Basic knowledge of Kaiser Permanente policies, procedures and philosophy and culture.
• Thorough knowledge of basic science and optics, familiarity with optometric and/or ophthalmic procedures related to preliminary testing.
• Basic knowledge of instillation of optometric diagnostic and therapeutic pharmaceuticals as applied to the practice of optometry.
• Working knowledge of HealthConnect.

Notes

• Additional Sites: Clackamas, Interstate, Orchards, Salmon Creek, Longview, Beaverton, Sunset, Tanasbourne, North Lancaster, Skyline

Kaiser Permanente is an equal opportunity employer committed to fair, respectful, and inclusive workplaces. Applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic or status.

Primary Location: Oregon,Portland,Rockwood Medical Offices

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40

Shift: Day

Workdays: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat

Working Hours Start: 07:00 AM

Working Hours End: 05:30 PM

Job Schedule: Full-time

Job Type: Standard

Worker Location: Onsite

Employee Status: Regular

Employee Group/Union Affiliation: W02|AFT|Local 5017

Job Level: Individual Contributor

Department: Rockwood Medical Offices - Optometry - 1008

Pay Range: $31.78 - $39.41 / hour

Kaiser Permanente strives to offer a market competitive total rewards package and is committed to pay equity and transparency. The posted pay range is based on possible base salaries for the role and does not reflect the full value of our total rewards package. Actual base pay determined at offer will be based on labor market data, internal alignment, and a candidate's years of relevant work experience, education, certifications, skills, and geographic location.

Travel: Yes, 75 % of the Time

Work Setting: Onsite

Worker location must align with Kaiser Permanente's Authorized States policy.

Kaiser Permanente is an equal opportunity employer committed to fair, respectful, and inclusive workplaces. Applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic or status.