Certified Ophthalmic Assistant-West Boca CHC

Health Care District of Palm Beach County; Boca Raton (FL); On-site; USD 38,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Health Care District of Palm Beach County is seeking a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) to support providers with patient workups, testing, documentation, education, and care coordination. The role emphasizes accuracy, empathy, and teamwork within a busy ophthalmology practice.

The ideal candidate holds COA certification, strong communication skills, and comfort with diagnostic testing such as OCT and visual fields.

Qualifications

• Must hold COA certification.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced healthcare environment.
• Proficient with basic computer tasks.
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Obtain and document comprehensive medical and ocular histories.
• Review medications, allergies, and systemic health conditions.
• Document chief complaints and HPI.
• Measure visual acuity.
• Perform pupil assessments.
• Conduct extraocular muscle evaluations.
• Perform confrontation visual field testing.
• Conduct color vision and stereopsis testing.
• Prepare patients for provider examination.
• Operate and obtain high-quality ophthalmic testing (OCT, Fundus Photography, Visual Field Testing, Corneal Topography).
• Pachymetry, Dry Eye Diagnostics, Lensometry, Autorefraction, Keratometry, Tonometry.
• Explain testing procedures and educate patients on conditions and treatment plans.
• Review medication instructions and reinforce provider recommendations.
• Care Coordination: Schedule follow-ups and coordinate referrals.
• Accurate clinical documentation in EHR; ensure diagnostic images/testing are uploaded and labeled.

Skills

COA Certification

Interpersonal Skills

Fast-paced Env

Basic Computer Skills

Confidentiality

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Our clinic specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management of ocular disease. We combine advanced technology, evidence-based medicine, and exceptional patient care to help preserve and improve vision for patients of all ages. We are seeking an energetic, compassionate, and highly motivated certified ophthalmic assistant to join our clinical team. This position offers the opportunity to work directly with providers managing glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, macular degeneration, dry eye disease, retinal disorders, neuro-ophthalmic conditions, and other complex ocular diseases.

About Our Clinic

Our provider delivers comprehensive medical eye care using state-of-the-art diagnostic technology.

Services Include

• Comprehensive eye exams
• Contact lens exams
• Diabetic eye exams
• Evaluation and management of glaucoma
• Evaluation and management of macular degeneration
• Cataract evaluations
• Urgent Care
• Dry eye evaluation and management
• Occupational/work related vision exams
• Pediatric eye exams
• Binocular vision evaluations
• Neuro-ophthalmic eye examination
• Refractive surgery consultations
• Pre/Post op management

Position Summary

The Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) serves as an integral member of the clinical team and is responsible for supporting providers through patient workups, diagnostic testing, clinical documentation, patient education, and care coordination.

The ideal candidate possesses strong clinical skills, attention to detail, excellent communication abilities, and a commitment to patient-centered care.

Primary Responsibilities

• Obtain and document comprehensive medical and ocular histories
• Review medications, allergies, and systemic health conditions
• Document chief complaints and history of present illness
• Measure visual acuity
• Perform pupil assessments
• Conduct extraocular muscle evaluations
• Perform confrontation visual field testing
• Conduct color vision and stereopsis testing
• Prepare patients for provider examination
• Diagnostic Testing
• Perform and obtain high-quality ophthalmic testing including:
  • Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
  • Fundus Photography
  • Visual Field Testing
  • Corneal Topography
• Pachymetry
• Dry Eye Diagnostics
• Lensometry
• Autorefraction
• Keratometry
• Tonometry
• Explain diagnostic testing procedures
• Educate patients regarding ocular conditions and treatment plans
• Review medication instructions
• Reinforce provider recommendations
• Answer patient questions professionally and compassionately
• Care Coordination
• Schedule follow-up appointments
• Coordinate referrals to ophthalmology specialists
• Obtain outside medical records when necessary
• Assist with treatment authorizations and patient communications

Clinical Documentation

Accurately document patient encounters within the electronic health record. Ensure all diagnostic images and testing are properly uploaded and labeled. Assist with chart preparation and provider workflow. Maintain accurate clinical records.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Current Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) certification
• High School Diploma or GED
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced healthcare environment
• Basic computer proficiency
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism

Preferred Qualifications

• Two or more years of ophthalmic or medical optometry experience
• Experience in ocular disease-focused practice
• Experience with OCT and visual field testing
• Scribing experience
• Knowledge of ophthalmic medications
• Familiarity with electronic medical records
• Bilingual candidates encouraged to apply

About Us

The Health Care District of Palm Beach County is an independent special taxing district that has served as a healthcare safety net for more than 36 years to fill in gaps in access to healthcare services. This unique healthcare system covers the entire county and provides a wide range of services such as nine community health centers (Federally Qualified Health Centers) which serve everyone regardless of ability to pay; school health teams in 172 public schools; a lifesaving Trauma Hawk aeromedical helicopter program; a rural, public teaching hospital, Lakeside Medical Center; an award-winning skilled nursing center; a ground ambulance program for Health Care District patients needing a higher level of care and the county’s Trauma Agency, which ensures quality outcomes within the county’s trauma system and leads initiatives to prevent traumatic injury.

We are committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, military or veteran status, age, sex, pregnancy status, genetic information, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation or identification status, or any other legally recognized category protected by jurisdictional, state or federal law. The information collected by this application is solely to determine suitability for employment, verify identity and maintain employment statistics on applicants.

We are also committed to maintaining a safe, healthy, and productive work environment for all employees. As such, we are a Drug-Free Workplace.

The Health Care District of Palm Beach County is an E-Verify participating employer and will use E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.

This role may require Agency of Health Care Administration (AHCA) background screening and clearance. As required under House Bill 531, applicants may review AHCA's education and awareness information at the following link: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/