Ophthalmic Assistant II - Ophthalmology

UTHealth Houston; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% paid medical premiums

Generous time off

Longevity pay

Retirement/pension plan

Job summary

UTHealth Houston's Department of Ophthalmology seeks an Ophthalmic Assistant II to support ophthalmologists with diagnostic testing, patient flow, and clinical procedures.

You will help train new technicians and contribute to efficient clinic operations while thriving in a collaborative eye-health team.

Qualifications

• Proficient in standard ophthalmic tests.
• Knowledge of ocular anatomy and terminology.
• Strong patient care and service skills.
• Basic mentoring and communication skills.
• COA certification required; BLS required; COT preferred.

Responsibilities

• Welcomes patients and explains exam processes.
• Obtains medical history including ocular details.
• Performs visual acuity, refraction, and lensometry under supervision.
• Conducts standard ophthalmic assessments and intraocular pressure measurements.
• Captures or assists with diagnostic imaging (OCT, photography, visual fields).
• Assists ophthalmologist during in-office procedures and minor surgery.
• Mentors Ophthalmic Assistant I staff under guidance.
• Maintains exam rooms and inventory.

Skills

COA cert

BLS cert

COT cert (preferred)

Ophthalmic testing

Patient care

Mentoring

Education

High School Diploma

Ophthalmic Assistant program (preferred)

Job description

Join the UTHealth Department of Ophthalmology as a Full-Time Ophthalmic Assistant II and play a vital role in delivering exceptional patient care in a fast-paced clinical environment. In this position, you will provide intermediate-level support to Ophthalmologists by performing a variety of diagnostic tests, assisting with patient flow and clinical procedures, and helping ensure efficient clinic operations. This role also offers opportunities to share your expertise by assisting in the training and development of new ophthalmic technicians while contributing to a collaborative team dedicated to advancing eye health and patient outcomes.

What we do here changes the world.

UTHealth Houston is Texas’ resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care. That’s where you come in.

Once you join us you won't want to leave.

It’s because we reward our team for the excellent service they provide. Our total rewards package includes the benefits you’d expect from a top healthcare organization (benefits, insurance, etc.), plus:

• 100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees
• Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, both vacation and sick time – all of which equates to around 37-38 days per year)
• The longer you stay, the more vacation you’ll accrue!
• Longevity Pay (Monthly payments after two years of service)
• Build your future with our awesome retirement/pension plan!

We take care of our employees!

As a world-renowned institution, our employees’ wellbeing is important to us. We offer work/life services such as...

• Free financial and legal counseling
• Free mental health counseling services
• Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs
• Other employee discounts including entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc.
• Resources for child and elder care
• Plus many more!

Position Summary

The Ophthalmic Assistant II provides intermediate-level support to Ophthalmologists by performing a wide range of diagnostic tests, assisting with clinical workflows, and occasionally helping train new technicians.

Position Key Accountabilities

• Welcomes patients while explaining the exam process and the technician's role in their care.
• Obtains a comprehensive medical history, including surgical, familial, ocular, and medication details, along with the chief complaint.
• Performs visual acuity measurements, lensometry (manual and automated), and refractions under supervision.
• Conducts standard ophthalmic assessments: color vision, stereoacuity, extraocular movements, confrontation fields, and pupil/angle assessments.
• Measures intraocular pressure using tonometry methods (e.g., Goldmann, Tono-Pen, I-Care).
• Captures or assists with diagnostic imaging: OCT, fundus photography, Humphrey visual fields, corneal topography, and other modalities.
• Instructs patients on contact lens insertion and removal.
• Supports with prescription refills, prior authorization requests, and patient calls; assists in completing disability and FMLA forms.
• Maintains exam rooms, instruments, and inventory; ensures readiness and cleanliness of work areas.
• Assists the Ophthalmologist during in-office procedures and minor surgical interventions.
• Occasionally assists in mentoring or training Ophthalmic Assistant I staff under guidance.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Certification/Skills

• Proficient in conducting standard ophthalmic tests independently.
• Working knowledge of ocular anatomy and terminology.
• Strong patient care and service skills.
• Basic mentoring and communication skills.
• Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) by International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (IJCAHPO) required
• Basic Life Support (BLS) by American Heart Association (AHA) required
• Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT) by International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (IJCAHPO) preferred

Minimum Education

High School Diploma or equivalent required May substitute required education with equivalent years of experience beyond the minimum experience requirement. Graduate of an education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s) in an Ophthalmic Assistant program preferred

Minimum Experience

3 years of clinical experience as an Ophthalmic Technician required

Physical Requirements

Exerts up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds frequently and/or up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects.

Security Sensitive

• 51.215 and Texas Government Code
• 411.094. To the extent that a position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Texas Business and Commerce Code
• 117.001(2), the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired for and to continue to be employed in that position. Personnel in such positions, and similarly situated state contractors, will be routinely reviewed to determine whether things such as criminal history or continuous connections to the government or political apparatus of a foreign adversary might prevent the applicant, employee, or contractor from being able to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure. A foreign adversary is a nation listed in 15 C.F.R.
• 791.4. Residency Requirement

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.