Certified Ophthalmic Assistant

UnitedHealth Group; Somerville (MA); On-site; Confidential; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

401k

Stock purchase plan

Job summary

Atrius Health in eastern Massachusetts is seeking an Ophthalmic Assistant to support clinicians with preliminary exams and testing at our 28 locations. You will greet patients, collect histories, perform basic ophthalmic testing, assist in procedures, and ensure proper patient education on drops and follow-up care.

Certification within two years is required for JCAHPO; NCLE certification is required if working solely with contact lens tasks in Optometry. ACLS may be required based on specialty.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalency certificate.
• ACLS may be required based on specialty.
• Proven ability to use electronic tools and applications.
• Compliance with applicable policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Greets and escorts patients to exam rooms and records vital signs.
• Performs preliminary testing and basic ophthalmic assessments.
• Assists with ophthalmic procedures and prepares instruments.
• Counsels patients on drops, medications, and follow-up instructions.
• Helps schedule follow-ups and maintains equipment.

Skills

Compassionate patient care

Attention to detail

Verbal communication

Education

High School diploma or GED

Tools

Ophthalmic testing equipment

Job description

Explore opportunities at Atrius Health, part of the Optum family of businesses. We're an innovative health care leader and multi-specialty group practice, delivering an effective, connected system of care for adult and pediatric patients at 28 practice locations in eastern Massachusetts. Our entire team of providers (physicians, AP/NPs and ancillary clinicians) works collaboratively with a value-based philosophy within our group practice as well as with hospitals, rehab and nursing facilities. Be part of our vision to transform care and improve lives by building trust, understanding and shared decision-making with every patient. Join us and discover the meaning behind Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

Under general supervision, facilitates patient care by performing preliminary work up of the patient, providing mechanical and technical examinations leading to the diagnosis and treatment by the clinician. Completes all of the basic skills required to support the clinicians.

Note: Incumbents hired as Ophthalmic Assistants are required to receive certification as an Ophthalmic Assistant by the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO) within two years from the date of hire. Incumbents hired as Ophthalmic Assistants are required to receive certification by the National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) within two years from the date of hire if they work exclusively as contact lens technicians in positions within the Optometry department. If incumbents fail the test twice within two years, they will be terminated but able to apply for open available positions within the organization.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Greets and escorts patients to exam rooms. Obtains relevant information and takes vital signs. Inputs pertinent clinical information into computerized medical record
• Completes history including taking patient medical history (systemic disease, surgeries, trauma), patient's ocular history, medications, allergies, present complaint, family history (systemic disease, ocular disease)
• Demonstrates knowledge of preliminary testing including pupil function, ocular motility, confrontation fields, amsler grid, color vision, lensometry, keratometry, vision (distance and near), and measure pressure by non-contact tonometer
• Completes optic testing including neutralizing lenses on lensometer and measuring pupillary distance
• Tests ocular motility, which includes performing cover-uncover test and alternating test, measures stereo acuity, and performs worth four dot test
• Performs visual field testing, including confrontation fields and Humphrey or other computerized field analyzer
• Identifies ocular medications and assists in taking conjunctiva and corneal specimens
• Completes basic ophthalmic patients' services, including instilling ocular drops; instructing patients on medication compliance, diagnostic testing, and surgical procedures; applying eye dressing; cleaning and sterilizing; preparing office instruments; and assisting in surgical procedures in the office
• Presents patient history summary and alerts physician to changes in visual acuity, elevated extraocular pressure or blood pressure, etc.
• Counsels patients in office and on phone concerning clinician's orders, use of drops, contact lenses, drugs, and answers questions concerning surgery, if applicable
• May schedule follow-up appointments and/or surgical procedures
• Completes routine maintenance and repair of equipment including changing batteries and bulbs and other minor repair as needed
• Performs other duties as assigned

You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• High School diploma or equivalency certificate (e.g. GED, HiSET, TASC Test) from an accredited institution or governmental unit
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) may be required based on specialty
• Proven ability to use all electronic tools and applications relevant to the performance of the duties of the position, including but not limited to phone, keyboard, computer and computer applications
• Proven to performs all job functions in compliance with applicable federal, state, local and company policies and procedures

Preferred Qualifications:

• Course work or equivalent training in ocular anatomy and physiology, ophthalmic optics, ophthalmic pharmacology and toxicology, ocular motility, and diseases of the eye
• 1+ years of experience working in an ophthalmic/optometric practice setting
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Proven knowledge of basic visual testing
• Practice knowledge of patient education regarding the use of contact lens when working in a contact lens

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. The hourly pay for this role will range from $18.00 - $32.00 per hour based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone-of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income-deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes - an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.

UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.

UnitedHealth Group is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.