Certified Ophthalmic Assistant

Riverside Health System; Williamsburg (VA); On-site; USD 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Riverside Health System in Williamsburg, Virginia is seeking a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) to greet patients, document history and exam findings, and perform ophthalmic measurements under physician orders.

Responsibilities include contact lens fitting assistance, minor procedures, chart preparation, referrals, and patient education. ICA-accredited training or equivalent, and COA certification upon hire are required.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED (Preferred).
• ICA-accredited training at Clinical Assistant level or Non-Clinical Assistant level (Required) or an approved independent study course (Required).
• COA certification (JCAHPO) upon hire (Required).

Responsibilities

• Greet patients, document chief complaint, history, and ocular findings accurately per guidelines.
• Perform and record visual acuity, refractometry, tonometry, keratometry, slit lamp exams, visual fields, and OCT.
• Assist with contact lens fitting, minor surgeries, and laser treatments as ordered by physician.
• Prepare referral and dictation letters; return calls to patients and pharmacies with questions.
• Maintain and clean equipment, and educate patients using brochures and videos.

Job description

Williamsburg, Virginia

Hiring Range

$19.70 - $25.63/HourlyActual pay is determined based on job-related factors such as relevant experience, education, credentials, skills, internal equity, and business needs.

Overview
The Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) is a core certification at the entry level.The COA greets the patient and initiates patient evaluation, documenting the chief complaint, history of present illness, review of systems, and all pertinent ocular findings accurately and in accordance with compliance guidelines; performs and records pertinent clinical measures to include visual acuities, slit lamp exam, refractometry, lensometry and all other patient services as requested by the physician including specialty tests such as color vision screening, stereopsis, and dry eye testing. The COA assists with fitting contact lenses and instruct patients in the care and insertion of contact lenses The COA assists with minor surgical procedures and laser treatments. The COA assists with maintenance of clinical examination equipment to include cleaning and inspects surgical instruments. The COA facilitates patient education through brochures and videos. The COA prepares prescription refills for the physician to review and sign. The COA is also responsible for preparing referral and dictation letters, returning calls to patients and pharmacies with medical questions.

What you will do

• Performs and records pertinent clinical measures to include Visual Acuities, Refractometry, Application Tonometry, Keratometry, Slit Lamp Exams, Visual Fields, and OCT. Performs and teaches Insert and Removal Procedures for Contact Lens Patients. Performs IOL for cataract surgery patients per physician orders. Reviews all IOL requirements and protocols to ensure proper documentation. Accompanies the physician to surgery and prepares surgery charts and post operative bags.
• Identifies the patients reason for office visit and assess the patients immediate needs to ensure the patient is seen in a timely manner. Records pertinent medical, allergic, ophthalmic and family histories to include current prescriptions, glasses and contact lenses.
• Demonstrates positive interpersonal relations in dealing with patients and their families or caregivers to project a favorable image of the office and facilitate quality patient care.
• Communicates and documents essential information to physicians and team members. Prepares referral follow up letters and dictations for referring physicians for the physicians review and signature.
• Facilitates patient education through videos and brochures. Prepares prescription refills for the physician’s review and signature. Reviews and answers patient’s voicemails and returns calls to patients and pharmacies in a timely manner.

Qualifications

Education

• High School Diploma or GED, (Preferred)
• Program Graduate, International Council of Accreditation (ICA) accredited training program at the Clinical Assistant level. (Required) or
• Program Graduate, International Council of Accreditation (ICA) accredited training program at the Non-Clinical Assistant level, including distance learning programs. (Required) or
• Program Graduate, Completed an approved independent study course. Approved study courses include the JCAHPO Career Advancement Tool (JCAT) or the AAO Ophthalmic Medical Assisting course. (Required)

Experience

• 1 year Ophthalmology/Optometry Office (Preferred)

Licenses and Certifications

• Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) - Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO) Upon Hire(Required)