Ophthalmic Technician I - New England Eye Center - Brookline

Tufts Medical Center, Inc.; Brookline (MA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Tufts Medicine in Massachusetts seeks a patient-care focused Ophthalmology support assistant. You will perform history taking, screenings, and diagnostic test prep to facilitate eye examinations, under physician supervision.

The role emphasizes accurate data collection, preparation of exam rooms, and support for in-office procedures, with opportunities to work in a fast-paced, multi-specialty clinic.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least 1 year of healthcare experience.
• BLS certification or obtain within three months of hire.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Ophthalmic/optometric/medical assistant training or AAO Home Study course.
• Experience in ophthalmic practice preferred.
• Experience with computers scheduling systems.

Responsibilities

• Obtain patient history including chief complaint and medications.
• Perform screenings and tasks ordered by physician (visual acuity, refractions, etc.).
• Perform diagnostic tests and ocular imaging (OCT, Topography, Visual Fields).
• Prepare consent forms and assist with in-office procedures.
• Set up exam rooms and stock supplies.
• Maintain instrument cleaning and calibration.
• Facilitate clinic flow and document exam in EHR.
• Comply with regulations within Ophthalmology department.
• May participate in clinical trials.

Skills

Eye terminology

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Fast-paced clinic

Independent worker

Scheduling software

EHR familiarity

Ophthalmic knowledge

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree related field

Ophthalmic/optometric/medical assistant training

AAO Home Study Course

Clinical/ophthalmic experience (education)

Tools

Scheduling software

EHR systems

Job description

Job Profile Summary

This role focuses on providing medical and clinical support services to patients. In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Ophthalmology duties: Performs, prescribes, and analyzes results for the treatment of illnesses, diseases, injuries, and conditions that are related to the eye. Tasks include vision assessments, eye surgeries and advanced forms of eye disease in patients with significant systemic illness. A clinical technologist role that has specialized knowledge or skills gained through a combination of vocational education, training, and experience. This role will be most commonly applied to patient care and/or scientific/laboratory jobs. An entry-level role typically requiring little to no prior knowledge or experience and requiring vocational or technical education. Work is routine or follows standard procedures, is closely supervised, and communicates information that requires little explanation or interpretation.

Job Overview

This position is responsible for facilitating patient care and flow by performing the preliminary work up of the patient exam including history taking and performing a variety of screenings and diagnostic tests necessary for patient care by following established standards and procedures.

Job Description

Minimum Qualifications

• 1. High school diploma or equivalent.
• 2. One (1) year of experience in healthcare related setting.
• 3. Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification OR Obtain within three (3) months of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• 1. Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• 2. Completion of ophthalmic, optometric, or medical assistant training program and/or AAO Home Study Course.
• 3. Previous experience in an ophthalmic practice.
• 4. Experience with computers scheduling systems.

Duties and Responsibilities

• 1. Obtains patient physical history to include chief complaint, reason for visit, current medications, allergies, past and current ocular and medical history.
• 2. Performs various screening and tasks as ordered by the physician including, but not limited to visual acuity, lensometry, refraction, keratometry, pupil evaluation, measurement of eye pressure, drop instillation, etc.
• 3. Performs and assist with various diagnostic tests and ocular imaging as determined necessary through patient assessment such as Optical Coherence tomography (OCT), Topography, Visual Fields, IOL Master, etc.
• 4. Prepares patient consent forms and assists physician with in office procedures as needed.
• 5. Sets up exam rooms by ensuring that they are clean, organized, stocked with necessary medications, supplies, instruments, forms, and patient education materials.
• 6. Ensures proper cleaning and disinfection of instruments and supplies per hospital and manufacturer recommendations, assists with calibration and maintenance of equipment.
• 7. Facilitates clinic flow and scribing components of the exam into the Electronic Health Record.
• 8. Complies with all local, state and federal regulations and laws governing the performance of this position within the Ophthalmology department.
• 9. May participate in clinical trials.

Physical Requirements

• 1. Close contact with children, adolescents, elderly, and sensory handicapped patients, with some exposure to blood and hypodermic needles.
• 2. Busy multi-specialty practice, and work environment involving several physicians.
• 3. May be required to float to satellite offices and must provide own transportation.
• 4. Ability to physically assist patients from wheelchairs into exam chairs and escort patients to other floors as needed.
• 5. Ability to assist the elderly and visually impaired.
• 6. Requires prolonged standing, walking, some bending, stooping, and stretching.

Skills & Abilities

• 1. Knowledge of eye terminology, basic anatomy, and physiology of eye.
• 2. Excellent interpersonal skills necessary to work effectively with patients and understand their needs, and be responsive to elderly and sensory handicapped patients.
• 3. Ability to work closely and effectively with all disciplinary members of the care team.
• 4. Excellent communication skills required to effectively explain the exam process to patients and help allay their concerns and apprehensions.
• 5. Strong attention to detail.
• 6. Ability to work in fast-paced, high-volume clinics.
• 7. Energetic, self-motivated, and ability to function independently.

At Tufts Medicine, we want every individual to feel valued for the skills and experience they bring. Our compensation philosophy is designed to offer fair, competitive pay that attracts, retains, and motivates highly talented individuals, while rewarding the important work you do every day. The base pay ranges reflect the minimum qualifications for the role. Individual offers are determined using a comprehensive approach that considers relevant experience, certifications, education, skills, and internal equity to ensure compensation is fair, consistent, and aligned with our business goals. Beyond base pay, Tufts Medicine provides a comprehensive Total Rewards package that supports your health, financial security, and career growth—one of the many ways we invest in you so you can thrive both at work and outside of it. Pay Range: $21.53 - $26.91 based on full-time equivalent Tufts Medicine is a leading integrated health system bringing together the best of academic and community health care to deliver exceptional, connected and accessible care experiences to consumers across Massachusetts. Comprised of Tufts Medical Center, Lowell General Hospital, MelroseWakefield Healthcare, an expansive home care network and a large clinically integrated physician network, Tufts Medicine has more than 15,000 dedicated employees and caregivers. The health system came together in 2014 to leverage the experience of its member organizations and integrate their missions to together transform the ways that consumers engage with and experience their care.