CO Ophthalmic Technician Assistant

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

Job summary

An exciting opportunity awaits at a prestigious institution for those looking to start a career in Ophthalmology! As a CO Ophthalmic Technician Assistant, you will receive comprehensive training to assist Ophthalmologists in delivering exceptional patient care. This role offers a robust foundation for future career paths, whether you're aiming for a clinical role or considering medical school. With no evening or weekend shifts, you can enjoy a balanced work schedule while gaining invaluable experience in a supportive environment. Join a team that is committed to excellence in eye care and make a difference in patients' lives!

Qualifications

• Must obtain Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) within 18 months.
• CPR certification required.
• High School Diploma or equivalent is mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Assist Ophthalmologist with patient care and perform ophthalmic testing.
• Maintain and operate ophthalmic equipment.
• Record patient history and perform visual acuity measurements.

Skills

Patient Care

Ophthalmic Testing

Visual Acuity Measurement

Lensometry

Tonometry

Basic Medical Knowledge

Instrument Maintenance

Communication Skills

Education

High School Diploma

Tools

IOL Master

Goldmann Tonometer

Epic

Allscripts

Job description

With close supervision and instruction, we are seeking a COOphthalmic Technician Assistant who will learn to assist the Ophthalmologist with patient care by performing ophthalmic testing as outlined below.

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

• Obtain and concisely record an accurate patient history.
• Chief complaint.
• Past ocular history.
• Family history.
• Systemic illnesses.
• Medications.
• Allergies and drug reactions.
• Social history.

Basic Skills and Lensometry

• Measure visual acuity at distance and near utilizing test appropriate for age and education, and records accurately.
• Perform pinhole testing when indicated.
• Perform and record contrast sensitivity.
• Perform Ishihara or HRR color vision testing.
• Accurately measure and record current lens power with a lensometer.
• Perform and record exophthalmometry.
• Perform and record Amsler grid.
• Perform and record Schirmer testing.
• Evaluate pupillary reactions, including afferent pupillary defect.
• Estimate anterior chamber depth.
• Able to properly operate common non-automated and automated ophthalmic equipment including, but not limited to: IOL Master, Orb-scan, bright field acuity testing (BAT), potential acuity meter (PAM), autorefractor, corneal pachymetry, Humphrey visual field, Goldmann visual field, OCT, HRT, Lenstar.

Patient Services

• Apply proper ocular dressings and shields.
• Follow divisional protocols for eye drop instillation, including cycloplegics and topical anesthetics.
• Properly instill eye drops.
• Label newly opened bottles with expiration dates.
• Understand the indications / contraindications for use in dilation.
• Measure interpupillary distances, evaluate spectacle fit.
• Properly assist physically or visually disabled patients.
• Adhere to regulations regarding drug samples and drug sample logs.

Basic Tonometry

• Perform accurate Goldmann applanation tonometry and properly disinfect the tonometer.
• Perform accurate Tono-pen tonometry and properly disinfect and store the tonometer.
• Perform accurate Eye Care tonometry.
• Understand the principals of scleral rigidity and the factors that alter intraocular pressure.

Instrument Maintenance

• Perform routine instrument maintenance on all ophthalmic equipment.
• Stock examination rooms in assigned area and ensure medication expiration dates are current.
• Disinfect and maintain examination rooms.

General Medical Knowledge

• Maintain current CPR certification.
• Understand basic ocular anatomy and physiology, systemic diseases, ocular diseases and ocular emergencies.
• Understand and practice the fundamentals of microbial control.
• Must complete currently required JHMI courses, such as, Self-learning educational packets, HIPAA regulations and Conflict of Interest.
• Complete Annual Review paperwork in a timely manner.
• Complete training in software such as Epic, POE, TAP, Forum, Oculab, Allscripts.
• Assist physician chair side as a scribe.

Possible Additional Duties & Responsibilities

• Surgical assisting with minor outpatient procedures; basic instrument care.
• Perform basic slit lamp evaluation of anterior chamber depth.
• Measure axial length with A-scan biometry.
• Perform protocol refractometry or other testing for clinical trials.
• Instruct patients in contact lens care, insertion and removal.
• Neuro-physiologic testing including electroretinogram (ERG), Multi-focal electroretinogram (MFERG), visual evoked potential (VEP), Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope (SLO).
• Other duties that may be assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or graduation equivalent.
• Must obtain Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) from Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO) within 18 months of start date.
• CPR certification required.

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.

Preferred Qualifications

Classified Title: Ophthalmic Technician Assistant
Job Posting Title (Working Title): CO Ophthalmic Technician Assistant
Role/Level/Range: ACRO40/E/02/CD
Starting Salary Range: $17.20 - $30.30 HRLY ($17.93 targeted; Commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Exempt Status: Non-Exempt
Location: School of Medicine Campus
Department name: Columbia Practice Oph
Personnel area: School of Medicine