Certified Ophthalmic Asst.

SEES Management Solutions; Knoxville (TN); Hybrid; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance

401(k)

Paid Time Off & Holidays

Life & Disability Insurance

Tuition Reimbursement

Continuing Education Support

Certification Sponsorship

Employee Eyewear Discounts

Referral Bonus Opportunities

Job summary

AVP•SEES Group is seeking a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant to support physicians with ophthalmic testing, histories, pre- and post-operative care, and EMR documentation. Travel between multiple office locations in the Knoxville area may be required.

The role emphasizes accurate data collection, patient service, HIPAA compliance, and collaboration with the healthcare team. COA certification and 3–5 years of ophthalmic experience are preferred.

Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration or related field preferred.
• Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) required.
• 3 to 5 years of experience as an ophthalmic technician preferred.

Responsibilities

• Obtain and document comprehensive patient history.
• Follow office workup protocols to support efficient patient flow.
• Determine visual acuity and perform automated and manual refraction.
• Perform basic lensometry and pupillary assessments.
• Conduct ocular imaging procedures including OCT.
• Administer eye drops and manage intraocular pressure measurements.
• Enter data into EMR and provide direct patient services.
• Travel between office locations as needed.

Skills

Patient experience

Analytical mind

Professionalism

Excellent communication

Drive for results

Focus on efficiency

Teamwork

Adaptability to change

Forward-thinking

Continual learning

Proactive

Education

Associate’s degree or Bachelor’s degree (preferred)

Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA)

Job description

Description

Who We Are

At AVP•SEES Group, exceptional patient care starts with exceptional people. As one of the largest eye care networks in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, we provide our teams with the training, technology, and support they need to thrive while making a difference in patients' lives. Together, we're building the future of eye care.

Our Mission

To deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients, serve and educate our provider network, and fulfill our commitment to our stakeholders.

Why Join Us?

• Paid Training & Career Development
• Growth & Advancement Opportunities
• Supportive Team Environment
• Competitive Benefits Package
• Tuition Reimbursement Opportunities
• Employee Eyewear Discounts
• Referral Bonus Program
• Make a Meaningful Difference Every Day

About the role

The Certified Ophthalmic Asst. supports physicians in delivering quality patient care by performing ophthalmic testing, collecting patient histories, assisting with pre- and post-operative care, documenting clinical information in the EMR, and maintaining ophthalmic equipment. This role helps ensure efficient patient flow, accurate diagnostic data, and excellent patient service while maintaining compliance with HIPAA and organizational standards. Travel between office locations may be required.

What You'll Do

• Obtain and document comprehensive patient history, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
• Follow office workup protocols to support efficient patient flow and physician needs.
• Determine visual acuity and perform both automated and manual refraction for diagnostic purposes.
• Perform basic lensometry to verify patient prescriptions.
• Conduct pupillary assessments and basic ocular motility evaluations.
• Perform visual field testing, Potential Acuity Meter (PAM) testing, and osmolarity testing.
• Conduct automated keratometry and topography assessments.
• Administer eye drops, ointments, and irrigating solutions as prescribed by the physician.
• Measure intraocular pressure (tonometry) accurately and safely.
• Perform pre-operative patient preparation and post-operative education.
• Conduct ocular imaging procedures, including Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT).
• Maintain and calibrate ophthalmic equipment and instruments to ensure proper functionality.
• Perform administrative and clinical tasks, including entering data into the electronic medical records (EMR) system and providing direct patient services.
• Recognize inconsistencies in patient symptoms or test results and report findings to the appropriate medical personnel.
• Maintain strict patient confidentiality in compliance with HIPAA and company policies.
• Demonstrate initiative by seeking instruction in areas of uncertainty and staying informed about evolving ophthalmic practices.
• Travel to various office locations as required; dependable transportation is necessary.

Requirements

What You'll Bring

REQUIREMENTS:

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration or related field preferred.
• 3 to 5 years of experience as an ophthalmic technician preferred.
• Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) required.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow precise protocols.
• Flexibility and willingness to travel between multiple locations as needed.
• Ability to work independently while effectively collaborating with the healthcare team.
• Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Patient Experience – Understanding and anticipate the patient’s needs. Proactively strives to exceed our patient’s expectations and provide ongoing education and communication.
• Proactive- Keep others informed. Ask for help when needed, brings any challenges or concerns to leadership.
• Analytical mind- capable of out-of-the-box thinking to solve problems.
• Professionalism- Displaying cautious, helpful and ethical behavior. Maintaining composure even under difficult and challenging circumstances.
• Excellent Communication Skills – written & verbal. Focus on becoming an active listening to better understand the needs of co-workers and patients.
• Drive for Results – Strives for improving the patient experience by committing to continuous improvement and doing above and beyond for optimal outcomes.
• Focus on Efficiency – Utilizes technology, innovation, and process improvements to continuously improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Teamwork- Participates as a team member and establishes strong working relationships with teammates and across the organization.
• Celebrates Change- Receptive to new ideas and responds to changes with flexibility and optimism.
• Forward-thinking attitude – Consider how your actions and behavior influence or affect others, and how will this impact your future growth in the company.
• Continues Learning and Improvement- Acknowledges own strengths and development needs and works to strengthen capabilities.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT:

• Exerting up to twenty-five pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Repetitive motion. Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• Have close visual acuity to perform an activity including viewing a computer terminal, extensive reading, interpretation, etc.
• Must possess the physical, mental, and cognitive skills needed to complete essential tasks, including abilities such as learning, remembering, focusing, categorizing, and integrating information for comprehension, problem-solving, and timely decision-making.
• Must be able to be stationary for prolonged periods of time

COGNITIVE REQUIREMENT:

• Executes tasks independently.
• Learns and memorizes tasks.
• Maintains concentration/focus on tasks.
• Performs task in a demanding environment requiring multi-task and prioritize work.
• Must be comfortable working and interacting with large groups of people daily.

Benefits May Include:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid Time Off & Holidays
• Life & Disability Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Continuing Education SupportCertification Sponsorship
• Employee Eyewear Discounts
• Referral Bonus Opportunities

Additional Information:

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Ability to remain stationary for extended periods
• Frequent use of hands, fingers, and computer equipment
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients and team members
• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull up to [XX] pounds

Compliance Requirements

• Annual compliance training is required.
• Compliance with HIPAA, OSHA, and company policies is required.
• Background screening may be required based on position.
• Drug screening may be required based on position and location.

Equal Employment Opportunity

AVP•SEES Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to any protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law.

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and qualifications required for the position.