Optometric Ophthalmic Technician

Advocate Health; Town of Oconomowoc (WI); On-site; USD 45,847,000 - 63,039,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocate Health is seeking an Ophthalmic Assistant to support exam rooms and assist physicians in delivering eye care. You will perform diagnostic tests, document patient history, and help with glasses and contacts, while maintaining equipment and sterile technique.

This role requires a high school diploma and about 2 years of optometric/ophthalmic experience, plus strong communication and computer skills. The position is on-site in Wisconsin and offers exposure to diverse ophthalmic procedures.

Qualifications

• High School Graduate.
• Typically requires 2 years of experience in an optometric/ophthalmic assistant role.
• Knowledge of sterile technique and eye care.
• Ability to educate and instruct patients on eye care and eyewear.
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written).
• Proficient with Microsoft Office products and EMR systems.
• Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs and stand for long periods.

Responsibilities

• Organizes and prepares exam rooms and work areas, including stocking and cleaning equipment.
• Prepares patient for exam and assists physician; records history and medications.
• Performs basic to complex diagnostic tests and visual screenings.
• Performs refractometry to determine refractive error.
• Assists ophthalmologist with surgical procedures and post-operative care.
• Performs medical eye photography and lensometry as directed.
• Assists patients with ordering/dispensing glasses and contact lenses.
• Maintains and calibrates equipment; sterilizes instruments.
• Schedules patients for post-operative, surgery and specialist appointments.
• Complies with age-specific patient care requirements per department standards.

Skills

Sterile technique

Eye anatomy knowledge

Patient education

Communication skills

Attention to detail

EMR proficiency

Education

High School Diploma

Job description

Major Responsibilities:

• Organizes and prepares exam rooms and work areas including: cleaning, stocking, ordering supplies, checking equipment, and putting away equipment. Organizes and prepares exam rooms, including: ordering supplies, stocking and cleaning equipment.
• Prepares patient for exam and assists physician. Obtains and records ocular and medical history, medications, and chief complaint. Documents and communicates accurate and timely information regarding the patient's condition.
• Performs basic to complex diagnostic tests and visual screenings, such as: visual field/acuity, tonometry / glaucoma pressures / applanations, topography, color vision testing, lensometry, A-Scans, ocular motility, measurement of the cornea using a keratometer, refraction, corneal topography, retinoscopy, blood pressure, and glare testing.
• Performs refractometry to determine the refractive error of the eye.
• Assists the ophthalmologist with surgical procedures and post-operative care or treatment.
• Performs medical eye photography functions as directed by the physician, which may include taking general optic nerve, retinal and macular photos, and fluorescein angiograms, etc.
• Assists patients with ordering and dispensing glasses and contact lenses. Performs contact lens polishing.
• Maintains and calibrates equipment.
• Sterilizes instruments using appropriate technique and procedures.
• Assists with scheduling patients for post-operative, surgery and specialist appointments.
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures. Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards.

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:

• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providerscertification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) needs to be obtained within 6 months unless department leader has determined it is not required.

Education Required:

• High School Graduate.

Experience Required:

• Typically requires 2 years of experience in a optometric assistant, ophthalmic assistant or ophthalmic technician role that includes experiences in performing basic to complex visual screenings, diagnostic tests, and procedures.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Knowledge of sterile technique, how the eye works, and contact / lens wear.
• Ability to educate and instruct patients on eye care and eyewear.
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written).
• Demonstrates a strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft office products, electronic mail and electronic medical records systems.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, squat, bend, twist, and reach above shoulders frequently throughout the workday.
• Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs. without assistance.
• Must have functional speech, vision, hearing, and touch.
• Will be exposed to the following hazards on a frequent basis: mechanical, radiation, electrical, and chemical as well as blood and body fluids; therefore, must wear protective clothing or equipment as necessary.
• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.