CO Ophthalmic Technician

Johns Hopkins University; New York (NY); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity awaits at a leading eye care institute for aspiring Ophthalmic Technicians. This role offers a comprehensive training program to equip you with essential skills in patient care and clinical procedures. You'll engage directly with patients, assisting physicians in various ocular assessments and procedures while gaining invaluable experience in a state-of-the-art facility. Ideal for pre-med students or those looking to start a rewarding career in healthcare, this position promises professional growth and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the field of ophthalmology. Join a team dedicated to excellence and innovation in eye care!

Qualifications

• High School Diploma required; COA certification within 18 months.
• 1 year experience as Ophthalmic Technician preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical support including patient history and ocular tests.
• Assist with administrative tasks and patient communication.
• Maintain clinical equipment and ensure compliance with regulations.

Skills

Patient Care

Ocular Anatomy Knowledge

Communication Skills

Clinical Equipment Handling

Data Entry for Clinical Studies

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

Ophthalmic Equipment

Epic (Electronic Health Record)

Job description

Working with faculty, Clinic Manager and Clinic Supervisor, we are seeking a CO Ophthalmic Technician whose primary role is to provide technician/clinical support to physicians.

Secondary responsibilities include limited administrative duties such as responding to messages from patients and physicians and assisting with patient requests for refills, forms completion and prior authorizations.

The Wilmer Eye Institute of Johns Hopkins University has an exciting opportunity for exceptional candidates to train for a career as an Ophthalmic Technician, no experience required. Start your career in Ophthalmology with one of the leading organizations in delivering state-of-the-art eye care, training future healthcare leaders, and conducting cutting-edge research. We have a robust training program that will provide you with a strong foundation to pursue a multitude of career paths beyond Ophthalmic Technician such as Clinic Manager, Ophthalmic Clinic Supervisor, Assistant Administrator, Orthoptist, Optometrist, Marketing, IT, and Research, to name a few. This is also an opportunity for pre-med students to gain clinical experience during their gap year or prior to applying to medical school, as well. No evening or weekend work required.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Clinical

• Records patient history including chief complaint, information on ocular history, past surgeries, medical condition, medications taken, allergies, learning assessment, falls risk and family history.
• Checks pupil response to light by shining light into eye and watching speed with which pupils constrict, checks for afferent pupillary defect.
• Measures central visual field using Amsler Grid.
• Instills eye drops under physicians’ direction.
• Measures and records distance and near visual acuity.
• Measures and records intraocular pressure using applanation tonometry (i.e. Goldman tonometer), pneumatic tonometry, or Schiotz-type indentation tonometer.
• Performs Humphrey visual field testing; refers patients for further testing where appropriate.
• Performs OCT’s.
• Performs IOL Master measurements to prepare patients for cataract surgery.
• Performs Pentacam measurements.
• Performs accurate refractions.
• Tests color vision, depth perception (stereopsis).
• Screens for presence of ocular motility disorders.
• Uses slit lamp to examine eye surface.
• Performs special testing like Bright field Acuity Testing; Potential Acuity Meter; and pachymetry.
• Performs basic maintenance or repair of clinical equipment.
• Compiles and enters data for clinical studies; may participate in other clinical research projects.
• Teaches patients how to insert and remove contact lenses correctly, and proper handling techniques.
• Performs ultrasound scans by measuring the axial length of the eye using various A-Scan ultrasound units. Recognizing difficult scans and adjusting unit as needed in patient with high myopia, high hyperopia, poor fixation nystagmus retinal detachments, corneal problems, and intraocular lenses already in place.
• Performs accurate keratometry readings adjusting keratometer reading if unobtainable.
• Calculates intraocular lens power using various formulas to fit patient’s needs and situations, either manually or by computer.
• Takes fundus photos as needed.
• Assist with in-office procedures.
• Responsible for exam room supply maintenance.
• Ensure medication expiration dates are current.
• Responsible for maintaining and sterilization of instruments.
• Disinfect and maintain examination rooms.
• Understand and practice the fundamentals of microbial control.
• Maintains refrigerator logs, sharps container, etc.
• Is familiar with JCAHO requirements and ensures clinic practice is in compliance with regulations.

Nonclinical

• Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:
• Review and respond to patient questions, Epic in-basket messages, and route in-basket messages to physicians as needed.
• Process patients’ medication refill requests.
• Assist with obtaining authorizations from insurers for medications and upcoming in-office procedures.
• Provide support to front desk staff by assisting in triage scheduled appointments, respond to patients’ clinical questions and explain technician related concerns to front desk staff.
• Manage and order medications for intraviteral injections.
• Assist with tracking and processing of forms (ie MVA, disability, FLMA).
• Provide input on templates/schedules to maximize patient flow and physician efficiency.
• Maintain general medical knowledge of ocular anatomy and physiology, systemic diseases, ocular diseases and ocular emergencies.
• Maintain required (COA) ophthalmic technician certification.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or graduation equivalent.
• One year experience as an Ophthalmic Technician. Must obtain Certified Ophthalmic Asst (COA) from JCAHPO within 18 months of start date.
• CPR certification required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in a clinical office setting as an ophthalmic technician.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for 50% of the time.
• Ability to move about to escort patients to the exam rooms and different departments, gather and replace supplies, and stock rooms.
• Constantly positions self to adjust ophthalmic equipment in order to perform exams.
• Ability to manipulate extremely small objects.
• The person in this position frequently communicates with patients. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Ability to safely utilize various types of Ophthalmic Equipment to directly contact the patient’s eye.
• Occasionally lifts and transports supplies up to 20 lbs.
• Ability to concentrate on instruments and other visual stimuli.
• Observation of and rapid reaction to changeable situations.

Classified Title: Ophthalmic Technician
Job Posting Title (Working Title): CO Ophthalmic Technician
Role/Level/Range: ACRO40/E/02/CE
Starting Salary Range: $19.75 - $35.35 HRLY ($22.67-$33.35 HRLY targeted; Commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Exempt Status: Non-Exempt
Location: JH Wilmer Eye at Columbia
Department name: Columbia Practice Oph
Personnel area: School of Medicine