Ophthalmic Assistant - Ophthalmology (Medical Center)

Houstonmethodistcareers; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Houston Methodist is seeking an Ophthalmic Assistant to support physicians and staff in patient examinations and treatments. The OA handles patient history, in-office tests, and certain clerical duties, acting as a clinical resource and trainer.

Requires COA or COT within 1 year and at least two years of experience; strong English communication; commitment to patient safety and family-centered care.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent education required.
• Two years experience as an Ophthalmic Assistant preferred.
• Must maintain professional communication with patients and staff.

Responsibilities

• Screens walk-in and referred patients and triages calls to determine priority.
• Assists physician with examinations and diagnostic tests.
• Documents patient history and prepares needed tests and procedures.
• Acts as a clinical resource and mentors other ophthalmic assistants.
• Contributes to patient safety and family-centered care.

Skills

Customer service

Communication skills

English proficient

Teamwork

Education

High School diploma or equivalent education

Job description

At Houston Methodist, the Ophthalmic Assistant (OA) is responsible for providing the highest quality customer service in assisting the physician and other technical support personnel with patient examination and treatment. Other duties for this position include patient history, office and inpatient diagnostic tests, in-office procedures as well as some clerical duties. The OA position independently and expertly performing the duties and responsibilities of clinical resource to other OAs, training and orienting others as appropriate. This position delivers exceptional patient care per guidelines established by the department to ensure optimal patient safety and customer service and practices Patient and Family-Centered Care.

FLSA STATUS

Non-exempt

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

EXPERIENCE

• Two years as an Ophthalmic Assistant

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Required

• Must have ophthalmic cert: COA or COT within 1 year

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
• Demonstrate a learning attitude toward solving problems, using good reasoning and judgment

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Utilizes courteous and professional interpersonal skills to establish and maintain rapport with patients, physicians/office personnel and various hospital personnel, while maintaining patient confidentiality. Facilitates open, professional, communication to achieve mutual understanding, role modeling by example.
• Functions as a team member, responding willingly and positively to colleagues’ needs for assistance and partnership and promotes a positive work environment that actively assists interprofessional care team to achieve optimal department results. Makes contributions to the work effort, by initiating problem resolution within the work unit.
• Provides contributions towards improvement of department scores for turnover/retention/employee engagement, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Screens walk-in patients, emergency patients and triages telephone calls from patients and referring physicians to determine appropriate physician and priority of appointments.
• Directs the flow of patients examined by the physician; obtains medical and personal data for patient charts; alleviates patient and family concerns by explaining diagnostic procedures and method of treatment.
• Performs preliminary screening examinations, excluding ocular, for physician review including, but not limited to, central and peripheral visual field tests; ocular motility tests; color vision tests; pharmacological pupil tests; tonometry, tonography and tensilon tonography tests to determine intraocular pressure and pupil testing for size, equality and reaction prior to dilation.
• Screens patients for conditions by examining the cornea, lens and anterior chamber of the eye using a slit lamp and notes variations from normal for physician review.
• Arranges for laboratory and other tests, ophthalmic photography, inpatient and outpatient studies and patient admissions and surgery as requested by physician.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Measures acuity of patient, with and without glasses, for distance and near vision; obtains optical and lensometry measurements to determine lens prescription and correct acuity problems; records findings on patient chart.
• Reports observations, conditions and problems of patients to the physician and/or nurse. Provides for the privacy of patients and families, keeping the safety of the patient in mind.
• Cleans and disinfects instruments, equipment and patient service areas.
• Role models behaviors and skills, through peer-to-peer accountability, towards improving department score for patient satisfaction.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, minimizing incidental overtime. Role models effective time management and coordinates with colleagues to meet the overall demands of the department.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assists the physician in the preparation of routine microbiological specimens and in various research studies. Continually assists with improving skills, performance and outcomes. Actively participates in professional development and the development of ongoing educational activities at a department-based level.
• Offers innovative solutions through participation in performance improvement activities. Completes and updates the individual development plan (IDP) on an on-going basis.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform: No
• Scrubs: Yes
• Business professional: No
• Other (department approved): No

ON-CALL*

*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**

**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area Yes