Lead Ophthalmic Assistant

PRISM Vision Group; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading ophthalmology provider in Rockville, Maryland is seeking a Lead Ophthalmic Assistant to oversee daily operations and ensure high-quality patient care. The successful candidate will coordinate clinical activities and supervise staff, requiring at least 8 years of experience in ophthalmic assistance, with 2 years in a leadership role. Candidates should possess strong communication skills, the ability to adapt, and a commitment to patient care standards. This position offers a collaborative work environment.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of prior ophthalmic assistant experience, 2+ years leading on the floor.
• High School Diploma or equivalent, Bachelor's preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations and delivery of patient care.
• Coordinate clinical activities and supervise staff.
• Serve as primary liaison between physician and team.

Skills

Accountability

Accuracy

Adaptability

Communication

Empathetic

Initiative

Judgment

Reliability

Team Player

Relevant computer skills

Education

High School Graduate or GED

Bachelor's degree in relevant discipline (preferred)

Job description

This job is at The Retina Group of Washington, which is part of Prism Vision Group. The Lead Ophthalmic Assistant is responsible for overseeing the day‑to‑day operations of the team, ensuring the delivery of high‑quality patient care. This role involves coordinating clinical activities, supervising staff, and serving as the primary liaison between the physician and the team. The Lead Ophthalmic Assistant plays a crucial role in maintaining efficient workflow and upholding clinical standards.

Role and Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the activities of the team, ensuring that all tasks are completed efficiently and to a high standard.
• Assist the physician in complex procedures and advanced diagnostic testing, taking on the most challenging cases.
• Review patient charts to ensure completeness and accuracy of information.
• Take an ocular and systemic history and accurately record visual acuity.
• Perform testing required by type of exam scheduled, patient complaint and history, including but not limited to OCT, automated visual fields, photography, pachymetry, biometry.
• Perform lensometry, automated refractometry, slit lamp exam including applanation tonometry and anterior chamber angle assessment, basic muscle balance testing, assess pupils, confrontation visual fields and gross external exam.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for the team, addressing any issues or concerns that arise.
• Act as scribe while the physician examines patients, entering data into electronic medical records or handwritten paper charts.
• Administer topical ophthalmic or oral medications.
• Ensure proper office procedures are adhered to and required informed consent is obtained.
• Responsible for patient education.
• Oversee patient flow throughout the day.
• Maintain cleanliness and orderliness of exam rooms during the workday.
• Collaborate with the clinic manager and physicians to identify areas for improvement and implement changes.
• Comply with all practice procedures and protocols, all state and federal regulations, and understand and accept responsibility to report potential or suspected errors to supervisor or Compliance Officer.
• Maintain a positive attitude consisting of cooperation, self‑motivation, courtesy, and professionalism.

Position Qualifications

• Education: High School Graduate or General Education Degree (GED) required. Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline is preferred or equivalent relevant experience in lieu of education.
• Experience: 8+ years of prior ophthalmic assistant experience, 2+ years of leading on the floor.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Accountability – Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her actions and work performed. Willing to accept constructive feedback.
• Accuracy – Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly with attention to all details of a project or task.
• Adaptability – Ability to adapt to and facilitate change in the workplace.
• Communication – Ability to communicate effectively with others using good listening skills.
• Empathetic – Ability to appreciate and be sensitive to the feelings of patients and co‑workers.
• Initiative – Ability to make decisions and take actions to solve a problem or reach a goal. Desire to excel, attempting non‑routine tasks.
• Judgment – Ability to make sound decisions using available information.
• Reliability – Can be relied upon to demonstrate reliability in attendance and punctuality.
• Team Player – The ability to work with others and independently for a common goal. Puts aside own individual needs to work toward the larger group objective and reinforces the contribution of others.
• Relevant computer skills – Able to navigate between screens and accurately enter data.

Work Environment

An office environment with a controlled atmosphere. Possible exposure to staff or patients with communicable diseases and blood borne pathogens.

Other Physical Requirements

Vision (Near, Distance, Color, Peripheral, Depth Perception), normal range of hearing, ability to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (gloves, face mask, eye shield, gown), standing for long periods of time.