Ophthalmic Assistant

St. Mary's Health System; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Parental Leave

DailyPay flexible payment options

Upfront Tuition Coverage

Job summary

SSM Health in Madison seeks an Ophthalmic Assistant to support our ophthalmology team with patient care, diagnostic testing, and efficient clinic operations. A high school diploma or GED is required; COA certification is preferred or willingness to obtain within 18 months.

Experience in ophthalmology is a plus, with strong communication and organization essential. This role offers a collaborative environment, competitive benefits, and a schedule aligned with daytime clinic hours, no nights or

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• COA certification strongly preferred or willingness to obtain within 18 months.
• Previous experience in ophthalmology or optometry setting is a plus.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced clinical environment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare patients for eye examinations and procedures.
• Perform preliminary vision tests, including visual acuity, tonometry, and refraction.
• Assist with diagnostic imaging such as OCT, fundus photography, and visual field testing.
• Document patient history and maintain accurate medical records in the EMR system.
• Educate patients on eye health, medications, and post-procedure care.
• Maintain and clean ophthalmic instruments and equipment.
• Support physicians during minor procedures and surgeries as needed.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Team collaboration

Education

High School diploma/GED or 10 years of work experience

Job description

It’s more than a career, it’s a calling

Worker Type

Regular

Job Highlights

Ophthalmic Assistant

Location: North High Point clinic- Madison
Employment Type: Full-Time 32 hours per week

Join Our Mission

At SSM Health, we are committed to providing exceptional care and creating a healing environment for our patients. We are seeking a dedicated Ophthalmic Assistant to join our ophthalmology team and support our mission of delivering compassionate, high-quality eye care.

Job Summary

The Ophthalmic Assistant plays a vital role in assisting ophthalmologists and optometrists with patient care, diagnostic testing, and clinical procedures. This position ensures smooth clinic operations and an excellent patient experience.

Responsibilities

Prepare patients for eye examinations and procedures.
Perform preliminary vision tests, including visual acuity, tonometry, and refraction.
Assist with diagnostic imaging such as OCT, fundus photography, and visual field testing.
Document patient history and maintain accurate medical records in the EMR system.
Educate patients on eye health, medications, and post-procedure care.
Maintain and clean ophthalmic instruments and equipment.
Support physicians during minor procedures and surgeries as needed.

Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent required; completion of an accredited ophthalmic assistant program preferred.
COA (Certified Ophthalmic Assistant) certification strongly preferred or willingness to obtain within 18 months of hire.
Previous experience in ophthalmology or optometry setting is a plus.
Strong communication and organizational skills.
Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced clinical environment.

Why Join SSM Health?

Competitive compensation and benefits package.
Opportunities for professional growth and certification support.
A mission-driven organization focused on holistic patient care.
Collaborative and supportive team environment.

Find balance with a schedule that has no nights or weekends

Job Summary

Participates in the care and treatment of eye care patients utilizing skills unique to optometry and ophthalmology. Demonstrates accountability to patients, peers and other health team members through positive customer relations and effective communication. Cares for children and adult patients of all ages.

Job Responsibilities and Requirements

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assists eye care providers in the exam and treatment of patients.

• Initiates documentation of the patient’s chief complaint, history of present illness, review of systems, and all pertinent ocular findings.

• May perform testing to include visual acuity measurement, color vision testing, lensometry, keratometry, testing pupil function, tonometry, automated perimetry, evaluation of EOMs (Extra-Ocular Muscle), confrontation visual field testing, and other patient services as requested by the provider.

• May act as a scribe by documenting (on behalf of the provider) all clinically relevant interaction and dialogue during the course of the patient visit. This will include: documenting history and exam, entering diagnoses, orders (medications, labs, imaging, consults, etc.), E&M (Evaluation & Management), follow up and patient instructions. Provides patient education under direction of eye care provider.

• Assists with minor surgery procedures and laser treatments in the office, including application and removal of dressings as directed.

• Inventories and maintains surgical instruments in accordance with system and department standards.

• Screens patients and calls for emergency/urgent situations; obtains pertinent information for provider.

• Works in a constant state of alertness and safe manner.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION

• High School diploma/GED or 10 years of work experience

EXPERIENCE

• One year heath care experience

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Constant standing and walking.

• Frequent use of hearing and speech to share information through oral communication.

• Frequent use of hearing to distinguish body sounds and/or hear alarms, malfunctioning machinery, etc.

• Frequent lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling objects weighing 0-25 lbs.

• Frequent reaching, gripping, and keyboard use/data entry.

• Frequent use of vision for distances near (20 inches or less) and far (20 feet or more) and to identify and distinguish colors.

• Occasional bending, stooping, crawling, kneeling, sitting, squatting and repetitive foot/leg and hand/arm movements.

• Occasional use of vision to judge distances and spatial relationships.

• Occasional lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling objects weighing 25-50 lbs.

• Occasional lifting/moving patients.

• Occasional use of smell to detect/recognize odors.

• Occasional driving.

REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

Resuscitation Certification Requirement: Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider (BLS HCP) required within 90 day of employment. Other resuscitation certifications may be required dependent on department.

Work Shift

Day Shift (United States of America)

Job Type

Employee

Department

6650160164 SPOC Ophthalmology

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Benefits

SSM Health values our exceptional employees by offering a comprehensive benefits package to fit their needs.

• Paid Parental Leave: we offer eligible team members one week of paid parental leave for newborns or newly adopted children (pro-rated based on FTE).

• Flexible Payment Options: our voluntary benefit offered through DailyPay offers eligible hourly team members instant access to their earned, unpaid base pay(fees may apply)before payday.

• Upfront Tuition Coverage :we provide upfront tuition coverage through FlexPath Funded for eligible team members.

Explore All Benefits

SSM Health is an equal opportunity employer. SSM Health does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.