Ophthalmic Assistant

101 Riverside Hospital, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 56,449,000 - 73,440,000; Full time

Job summary

101 Riverside Hospital, Inc. seeks a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) to greet patients, record histories, and perform basic ocular measurements such as visual acuity and refractometry.

You will assist with contact lens care, preoperative and postoperative tasks, and educational materials for patients. The COA will support physicians during exams and minor procedures, maintain equipment, and ensure accurate documentation of medications, histories, and test results according to compliance

Qualifications

• Education and ICA-accredited training in clinical assistant roles required.
• Completion of ICA-accredited non-clinical assistant program preferred.
• Participation in JCAHPO/JCAT or AAO Ophthalmic Medical Assisting courses required.

Responsibilities

• Greet patients and document chief complaints and histories accurately.
• Perform and record ocular measurements and examinations per physician orders.
• Assist with contact lens fittings and post‑op care instructions.
• Prepare referral letters, dictations, and manage patient communications.
• Maintain clinical equipment and assist in minor surgical procedures as needed.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Documentation

Clinical measurements

Patient education

Education

High School Diploma or GED

ICA-accredited Clinical Assistant program

ICA-accredited Non-Clinical Assistant program

JCAHPO AAO training courses (JCAT / Ophthalmic Medical Assisting)

Job description

Williamsburg, Virginia Hiring Range $19.70 - $25.63/Hourly Actual pay is determined based on job-related factors such as relevant experience, education, credentials, skills, internal equity, and business needs.

Overview

The Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) is a core certification at the entry level. The COA greets the patient and initiates patient evaluation, documenting the chief complaint, history of present illness, review of systems, and all pertinent ocular findings accurately and in accordance with compliance guidelines; performs and records pertinent clinical measures to include visual acuities, slit lamp exam, refractometry, lensometry and all other patient services as requested by the physician including specialty tests such as color vision screening, stereopsis, and dry eye testing. The COA assists with fitting contact lenses and instruct patients in the care and insertion of contact lenses. The COA assists with minor surgical procedures and laser treatments. The COA assists with maintenance of clinical examination equipment to include cleaning and inspects surgical instruments. The COA facilitates patient education through brochures and videos. The COA prepares prescription refills for the physician to review and sign. The COA is also responsible for preparing referral and dictation letters, returning calls to patients and pharmacies with medical questions.

What you will do

• Performs and records pertinent clinical measures to include Visual Acuities, Refractometry, Application Tonometry, Keratometry, Slit Lamp Exams, Visual Fields, and OCT.
• Performs and teaches Insert and Removal Procedures for Contact Lens Patients.
• Performs IOL for cataract surgery patients per physician orders.
• Reviews all IOL requirements and protocols to ensure proper documentation.
• Accompanies the physician to surgery and prepares surgery charts and post operative bags.
• Identifies the patients reason for office visit and assess the patients immediate needs to ensure the patient is seen in a timely manner.
• Records pertinent medical, allergic, ophthalmic and family histories to include current prescriptions, glasses and contact lenses.
• Demonstrates positive interpersonal relations in dealing with patients and their families or caregivers to project a favorable image of the office and facilitate quality patient care.
• Communicates and documents essential information to physicians and team members.
• Prepares referral follow up letters and dictations for referring physicians for the physicians review and signature.
• Facilitates patient education through videos and brochures.
• Prepares prescription refills for the physician's review and signature.
• Reviews and answers patient's voicemails and returns calls to patients and pharmacies in a timely manner.

Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or GED, (Preferred) Program Graduate, International Council of Accreditation (ICA) accredited training program at the Clinical Assistant level. (Required)
• Program Graduate, International Council of Accreditation (ICA) accredited training program at the Non-Clinical Assistant level, including distance learning programs. (Required)
• Program Graduate, Completed an approved independent study course. Approved study courses include the JCAHPO Career Advancement Tool (JCAT) or the AAO Ophthalmic Medical Assisting course. (Required)
• Experience: 1 year Ophthalmology/Optometry Office (Preferred)
• Licenses and Certifications: Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) - Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO) Upon Hire (Required)

If loving your work is important to you, consider a career at Riverside. By joining our team, you can make a difference in people's lives. Our mission is to care for others as we would care for those we love. We extend that sense of caring to every patient, resident and customer, as well as to each member of our team. We offer care at all stages of life, in hundreds of locations, giving you room to grow your career, along with great benefits and perks. At Riverside Health, your trust and safety are our top priorities.