Assistant, Optometry Certified - Float

Kaiser Permanente Northwest; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 85,919,534 - 106,392,048; Full time

Job summary

Kaiser Permanente Northwest in Portland, OR, is seeking an Optometry Assistant to support doctors of optometry in a collaborative practice. You will assist with pre-testing, record-keeping, and patient vitals, under direct supervision, to improve efficiency and care quality.

You will manage calls, triage, and scheduling while maintaining instruments and sterile ophthalmic supplies, ensuring confidentiality and adherence to KP policies. Shift is days, full-time, onsite.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years in optometric/ophthalmic practice under supervision, or one year in a healthcare back-office role with KP Optometry training.
• High school diploma or GED required.
• Demonstrated proficiency with ophthalmic instruments and preliminary testing.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Familiarity with optometric terminology and a managed practice environment.

Responsibilities

• Accurately record patients' medical and visual history and prepare clinical information for doctors.
• Take and record patient vitals in EMR; perform pre-testing and ocular assessments.
• Perform OCT, Visual Fields, and Diabetic Photos; assist in therapeutic procedures.
• Instill eye-drops as ordered; maintain records and reports per doctor instructions.
• Receive and triage patient communications; manage doctor schedules and appointments.
• Maintain and Calibrate ophthalmic instruments and ensure sterility of medications.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Patient care

Medical history taking

EMR documentation

Ophthalmic instrument operation

Team collaboration

Education

High School Diploma / GED

Paraoptometric Assistant Certificate

Certified Ophthalmic Technician

Paraoptometric Technician Certificate

Certified Ophthalmic Assistant

Registered Medical Assistant (WA)

Tools

Auto-refractor

Auto-lensometer

Non-contact tonometer

Titmus vision tester

Snellen chart

Visual acuity projector

Visual field testing equipment

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 full-time employment functioning in an optometric or ophthalmic practice under the supervision of an optometrist or ophthalmologist, and/or successful completion of a JCAHPO accredited ophthalmic medical technology program required, OR one (1) year in a back office provider support role in health care with on the job training in KPs Optometry training program (when available).

Education

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

License, Certification, Registration

• Paraoptometric Assistant 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 Paraoptometric Technician Certificate within 24 months of hire from American Optometric Association OR Certified Ophthalmic Assistant within 24 months of hire from International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology
• Registered Medical Assistant (Washington) within 2 months of hire

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, Rockwood, Orchards, Salmon Creek, Longview, Beaverton, Sunset, Tanasbourne, North Lancaster, and Skyline

Primary Location: Oregon,Portland,Central Interstate 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: Interstate - Central Med Ofcs - Optometry - 1008

Pay Range: $29.96 - $37.13 / hour

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.