Ophthalmic Assistant: Eye Care & Diagnostics

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare; Glenview (IL); On-site; USD 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwestern Medicine is seeking an Ophthalmic Assistant to provide technical and clinical support across ophthalmic tests and patient care, assisting physicians and liaising with patients.

The role involves performing refractions, tonometry, visual fields, OCT, topography, and other procedures, while maintaining equipment and supporting follow-up care. Requires COA certification, BLS, and 0–2 years of related experience.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED is required.
• BLS certification (American Heart Association) is required.
• COA (JCAHPO) certification is required (MD graduates exempt from COA).
• 0–2 years of experience in a relevant role is required.

Responsibilities

• Interviews patients and documents histories.
• Performs technical workups, patient histories and special testing (Refractions w/ retinoscopy, Lensometry, Keratometry, Tonometry, Visual Fields, Amslers, Muscle Testing, Pupil Exams, Topography, OCT, IOL Master / Ascans, Fundus Photos).
• Assists the physician with patient care, minor surgery, scribes.
• Communicates with patients (follow-up care, surgeries, procedures, changes in schedule, symptoms, surgery scheduling, etc.), returns phone calls (patients, pharmacies).
• Maintains and cleans equipment, reports equipment deficiencies to management.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

Education

High School diploma or GED

BLS certification

COA (JCAHPO) certification

0-2 years ophthalmic experience

Job description

Northwestern Medicine is seeking an Ophthalmic Assistant to provide technical and clinical support across ophthalmic tests and patient care, assisting physicians and liaising with patients.

The role involves performing refractions, tonometry, visual fields, OCT, topography, and other procedures, while maintaining equipment and supporting follow-up care. Requires COA certification, BLS, and 0–2 years of related experience.