Ophthalmic Technician

Kaiser Permanente Northwest; Oregon; On-site; USD 44,000 - 54,000; Part time

Job summary

Kaiser Permanente Northwest is seeking an Ophthalmic Technician to assist ophthalmologists in patient care across the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care program. You will support testing, measurements, and pre/post-procedure care in a fast-paced clinic.

You will perform history taking, testing, and assist during examinations, injections, and minor surgical procedures. The role emphasizes accuracy, teamwork, and compliance with policies while maintaining a compassionate patient experience.

Qualifications

• Two years of ophthalmic technician experience or completion of a JCAHPO accredited program.
• Ability to work under ophthalmologist supervision.
• English communication skills required.

Responsibilities

• Screen patients for chief complaint, take history, and document ocular history in EMR.
• Perform ophthalmic testing (distance/near vision, pupil checks, corneal measurements, color vision).
• Measure intraocular pressure using Applanation tonometry and Tonopen.
• Assist in examinations, minor surgery, and laser procedures as needed.
• Set up exam lanes, maintain sterile instruments, and inventory supplies.
• Open/close exam lanes, support administrative tasks and patient flow.

Skills

Ophthalmic technician

Attention to detail

Multi-tasking

Ophthalmic terminology

Computer literacy

Keyboarding skills

English communication

Education

Ophthalmic Technician experience or JCAHPO program

Tools

EpicCare EMR

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Summary

Assist with the provision of patient care within established policies and procedures to serve the needs of the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care program. Provides care to a population with predictable ophthalmic needs and assists the providers in caring for more acute needs.

Essential Responsibilities

• Screen patients for chief compliant, take accurate history of Ophthalmic illnesses/surgeries, past ocular history, family history, and current eye related medications. Perform Ophthalmic testing as appropriate for the patient. This includes, but is not limited to the ability to check/document distance and near vision. Must be able to perform papillary assessment to rule out afferent defect and check pupil size (rule out pupillary asymmetry), corneal curvature (K readings) and color vision testing. Must be able to perform lensometry, including reading lenses with multifocal and progressive adds, power of sphere, axis of cylinder power and orientation of prism. Perform intraocular pressure checks using Applanation tonometry and also using the Tonopen. Perform confrontation visual fields. Must be able to perform cover/uncover test, alternate cover test and quantify strabismus; must be able to document ocular motility and the presence of strabismus or nystagmus. Must be able to perform Worth 4 dot test and Stereopsis test. Must be able to test near point of convergence, ductions, versions and vergences. Must be able to perform Potential Acuity Meter testing, Glare testing. Must demonstrate ability to check/recognize narrow angle. Instill dilating drops (and other ophthalmic drops) per physicians instructions. Take and record patient vitals when indicated in the EMR.
• Visual fields: Must perform calibration of automated perimeters, and must be able to perform automated perimetry. Maintain a working knowledge of automated perimetry, and be able to perform Amsler Grid testing.
• Must be able to perform OCT and HRT. Must be able to use IOL master and any other A scan programs for biometry readings.
• Assist doctors during examination as needed. Prepare for, set up and assist in minor surgery, and all types of laser procedures. Must be familiar with preoperative and pre-laser patient education. Apply eye dressings, protective shields as directed by the doctor. Always must be willing to assist patients in clinic areas.
• Set up and provide physician assistance with intravitreal injections.
• Per standard guidelines, clean exam lanes and minor surgical instruments. Prepare for the sterilization process either utilizing the clinic sterilizer following sterilizing protocol, or preparing instruments to be sent out for sterilization per standard protocol. Responsible for room maintenance including routing cleaning of exam lanes, and daily validation of expiration dates of dilating and other ophthalmic drops. Keep exam rooms well stocked with appropriate instruments, as well as patient handouts, and any other equipment, etc., as required by physicians.
• Maintain instruments and triage appropriately when instruments are in need of repair or replacement. Open exam lanes in the AM and close exam lanes in the PM. Provide administrative assistance and support as required, assisting administrative team as necessary. Assist in other clinic functions as necessary, including making appointments, preparing retina photography charts, or any other general duty as needed.
• Perform clerical duties to assist in maintaining departmental records and as directed by the assigned provider. Ensure that all relevant sections of the EMR are completed, and always kept up to date and current.
• Communicate via telephone with patients, other departments and other physicians as necessary. Record messages and refer to appropriate person as required. Answer patient service questions. Report patient complaints, or unusual symptoms, questions regarding treatment, medications, etc., and other questions to licensed personnel. Complete and distribute forms regarding patient examinations and treatment, medical information, consultations, etc. Prepare basic support care duties following established policies and procedures. Maintain adequate quantities of medical and clerical supplies. Assist with pharmacy order as required; relay prescriptions to any pharmacy as directed by physician.
• Maintain patient care areas and nurse station in a sanitary orderly condition. Prepare examining rooms for next patient after each use. Set up for examination or treatment following established procedures. Ensure sterile condition of examination, treatment, and testing instruments as appropriate.
• Attend and participate in continuing education and in-service programs, staff, team and other meetings as assigned. Complete and maintain Compliance and Safety modules and KPNW Behavior Standards as required. Maintain current confidentiality documentation. Adhere to Regional and Departmental policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Experience

Basic Qualifications

• Two (2) years of full time employment functioning in an Ophthalmic Technician capacity under the supervision of an Ophthalmologist, and/or successful completion of a JCAHPO accredited Ophthalmic Medical Technology program.

Education

• N/A

License, Certification, Registration

• Registered Medical Assistant (Washington) within 2 months of hire
• Basic Life Support within 1 months of hire

Additional Requirements

• Proven record of attention to detail, ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. Broad knowledge base of ophthalmic terminology.
• Basic computer knowledge and skills.
• Proficient and accurate keyboarding skills.
• Must be able to communicate both in writing and orally in English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three-five+ (3-5+) years of functioning in an Ophthalmic Technician capacity under the supervision of an Ophthalmologist/or in a Group Ophthalmological practice/environment.
• Broad based ophthalmic technician experience preferred.
• Familiarity with EpicCare or electronic based medical records system preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suites preferred.
• Ability to perform Goldmann visual fields. COA, COT, or COMT certification through JCAHPO (Joint Commission on Allied Health Professionals in Ophthalmology).

Notes

• Working schedule = 4 9-hr shifts.

Kaiser Permanente is an equal opportunity employer committed to fair, respectful, and inclusive workplaces. Applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic or status.

Primary Location: Oregon,Clackamas,Clackamas Eye Care & Imaging

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 36

Shift: Day

Workdays: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat

Working Hours Start: 07:30 AM

Working Hours End: 05:00 PM

Job Schedule: Part-time

Job Type: Standard

Worker Location: Onsite

Employee Status: Regular

Employee Group/Union Affiliation: W06|SEIU|Local 49

Job Level: Individual Contributor

Department: Clackamas Eye Care - Ophthalmology-Clinic Nurse - 1008

Pay Range: $32.18 - $38.77 / hour

Kaiser Permanente strives to offer a market competitive total rewards package and is committed to pay equity and transparency. The posted pay range is based on possible base salaries for the role and does not reflect the full value of our total rewards package. Actual base pay determined at offer will be based on labor market data, internal alignment, and a candidate's years of relevant work experience, education, certifications, skills, and geographic location.

Travel: Yes, 5 % of the Time

Work Setting: Onsite

Worker location must align with Kaiser Permanente's Authorized States policy.