Ophthalmic Technician - Per Diem

Albany Med; New York (NY); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Wellbeing programs

Career opportunities

Job summary

Albany Med Health System seeks an Ophthalmology support professional responsible for data collection and diagnostic testing to aid physicians in patient diagnosis. The role includes patient prep, history taking, and clear communication of test effects.

Responsibilities span documentation, instrument maintenance, minor procedure assistance, triage, and ensuring smooth patient flow. Relevant ophthalmic experience is preferred with emphasis on accuracy and sterility.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; some college preferred.
• Two to five years of ophthalmology practice experience preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of ophthalmic testing and patient flow.

Responsibilities

• Perform data collection and diagnostic tests as required by the physician.
• Prepare patients, obtain histories, and explain tests and procedures.
• Document results accurately and ensure instrument sterility.
• Assist the physician with minor procedures and triage patients.
• Maintain exam rooms, stock supplies, and coordinate with staff.

Skills

Communication skills

Patient care

Triage

Instrument maintenance

Documentation

Education

High school diploma

Some college

Tools

Autoclaving equipment

Ophthalmic instruments

Job description

Department/Unit: HBD - Ophthalmology Work Shift: Day (United States of America) Salary Range: $49,763.00 - $69,668.00

This individual is responsible for performing an extensive number of data collection functions and performs diagnostic tests as required by the physician, to allow for proper professional diagnosis of patients conditions.

Essential Functions

Communication and Patient Care Acquaints all new patients with office procedures to which they will be exposed. Informs patients of the purpose of all tests personally performed and how the patient will be affected during the tests. Obtains patient history, including chief complaint, history of present illness, past ocular and general history, family ocular and general history, and history of allergies and medications. Performs accurate and consistent documentation and measurement tasks, including: Visual acuity Manual lensometry Confrontational visual fields Stereo testing Evaluation of motility Pupillary function tests Color plates Applanation tonometry Refractometry Angle assessment Dilation of pupils Contact lens evaluations Visual field testing Optic nerve scanning (i.e., OCT, HRT, GD) Pachymetry Corneal topography Other tasks specific to the physician's needs as a result of new technologies Provides back-up to the ophthalmic photographer regarding fundus, exterior, and anterior segment photographs. Performs duties consistent with ophthalmic writer/scribe. Assists the physician with minor surgery while maintaining practice standards of sterile technique and infection control. Triage Determines which patient should be taken next from the waiting room to have testing initiated. Escorts all patients from the waiting room for data collection. Advises patients who will see them following testing and makes patients comfortable during the wait. Maintains a smooth flow of patients to the physician, altering the test sequence as required. Provides telephone support regarding ocular emergencies, prescription refills, and patient care questions. Communicates with reception to facilitate proper patient flow. Instrument Maintenance Troubleshoots instruments as necessary. Replaces bulbs. Checks connections. Performs archiving functions according to manufacturer recommendations. Performs autoclaving and maintains instrument sterility. Reports continued difficulty to the Lead Ophthalmic Technician. Administrative Seeks advice from more senior staff as necessary and never performs beyond capabilities. Maintains cleanliness in exam and procedure rooms. Maintains back-up levels of stock in exam and procedure rooms. May travel to a satellite location. Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications

Education Required: High school diploma or G.E.D. Preferred: Some college. Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate. Work Experience Required: Two to five years' experience in an ophthalmology practice.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Demonstrated advanced comprehension of ophthalmic assistant skills as outlined by the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO). Basic understanding of optics and the ability to perform refractometry. Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Empathetic personality with concern for patients' needs. Strong organization with attention to detail. Ability to work as a team member. Demonstrated comprehension of the principles of optics, refraction, and contact lenses. Demonstrated ability to perform comprehensive workups on three patients per hour. Demonstrated computer literacy.

Licenses and Certifications

Preferred: Certified Ophthalmic Assistant

Thank you for your interest in Albany Med Health System! Albany Med Health System is an equal opportunity employer. This role may require access to information considered sensitive to Albany Med Health System, its patients, affiliates, and partners, including but not limited to HIPAA Protected Health Information and other information regulated by Federal and New York State statutes. Workforce members are expected to ensure that: Access to information is based on a “need to know” and is the minimum necessary to properly perform assigned duties. Use or disclosure shall not exceed the minimum amount of information needed to accomplish an intended purpose. Reasonable efforts, consistent with Albany Med Health System policies and standards, shall be made to ensure that information is adequately protected from unauthorized access and modification.

Albany Medical Center is the centerpiece of medicine, research, and medical education in New York’s Capital Region and is the area's largest private employer with more than 10,000 employees. Albany Medical Center offers excellent career opportunities in a wide range of roles in both patient care and administration.

We value all our staff members and offer outstanding employee benefits including:

• Excellent health care coverage with no copay at Albany Medical Center providers
• A wide array of services and programs to support emotional, physical, and mental wellbeing

Anchored in the state’s historic capital city, Albany Medical Center offers a full range of inpatient and outpatient care and is home to the region’s largest hospital, only Level 1 adult and pediatric trauma centers, and only children’s hospital. The downtown campus also offers opportunities at Albany Medical College. Albany Medical Center, along with Columbia Memorial Health, Glens Falls Hospital, Saratoga Hospital, and the Visiting Nurses, form the Albany Med Health System, serving more than three million people over 25 counties.