PD Certified Ophthalmic Asst - Brea GHEI Ophthalmology - Varied

University of California - Irvine Health; Brea (CA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

UCI Health is seeking a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant to perform preliminary patient exams, tests, and refractions. You will support physicians, assist with minor surgeries, and educate patients on post-care. Strong English communication and COA/BLS credentials are required.

Join a leading academic health system with a comprehensive eye care program, reporting to the ophthalmology team. This role emphasizes accuracy, patient safety, and interdepartmental collaboration.

Qualifications

• Understanding of medical terminology, infectious control techniques and age related acuity levels
• Previous experience as an Ophthalmic Assistant
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Current COA certification and BLS certification
• Capable of performing standard ophthalmic tests and patient assessments

Responsibilities

• Initiates patient care by performing preliminary exams: history, visual acuity, intraocular pressure and refractions.
• Performs specialized tests per physician orders: keratometry, visual fields, GDX, topography, axial length.
• Assists with patient and pharmacy calls and prescription refills.
• Sets up and assists with minor surgical procedures and post-procedure care.
• Educates patients and provides post-treatment care instructions.
• Retrieves lab and radiology reports using a computer.

Skills

Medical terminology knowledge

Infectious control techniques

Age-related acuity assessment

Customer service skills

English communication skills

COA certification

BLS certification

Data collection and interpretation

Education

Current COA certification

Current BLS certification

Job description

Who We Are

UCI Health is one of California's largest academic health systems and the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine. Established on July 1, 1976, UCI Health has grown into a 1,461-bed health system that includes UCI Health - Orange, UCI Health - Irvine, four Community Network hospitals and a growing network of ambulatory care centers across Orange and Los Angeles counties. As Orange County's only academic health systems, UCI Health is home to the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center based in the county, the region's only American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center, American College of Emergency Physicians Gold Level 1 Geriatric Emergency Department and a nationally recognized regional burn center verified by the American Burn Association. Powered by UC Irvine, UCI Health serves 5.6 million people across Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County through excellence in patient care, research and medical education.

Your Role on the Team

Position Summary

Incumbent demonstrates competency in all duties typically performed by a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant. Initiates care of the patient by performing preliminary examinations, including recording patient history, testing visual acuity, intra-ocular pressure, neutralizing current lenses with the lensometer, automated and simple manifest refractions, and screening color tests. Performs special tests based on physicians' orders including keratometer readings, visual fields, GDX, topography, and axial length measurements. Assists with patient and pharmacy telephone calls and prescription refills. Sets up, assists with and cleans up after minor surgical procedures. Properly cleans, operates and maintains ophthalmic equipment. Educates patients and provides instructions for care after treatment. Retrieves lab and radiology reports using a computer.

What It Takes to be Successful

Required Qualifications

• Understanding of medical terminology, infectious control techniques and age related acuity levels
• Previous experience as an Ophthalmic Assistant
• Must possess the skill, knowledge and ability essential to the successful performance of assigned duties
• Must demonstrate customer service skills appropriate to the job
• Must be competent in collecting and interpreting data about the patient's status in order to identify each patient's age specific needs
• Knowledge of medical terminology, infectious control techniques and age related acuity levels
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Current COA certification
• Current BLS certification required by time of hire
• Capable of performing all but the most specialized tests and patient work ups in order for medical staff to diagnose problem
• Able to evaluate and document the patient/family response to care
• Ability to read, write and communicate effectively in English
• Ability to maintain flexibility and work well in a constantly changing environment
• Ability to maintain a work pace appropriate to the workload
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships across the Health System

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of Title 22 and JCAHO standards
• Surgical Technician certification
• Bilingual skills in English and Spanish and/or Vietnamese
• Ability to instruct others in the use of equipment and performance of procedures

Total Rewards

We offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding. These benefits may include medical insurance, sick and vacation time, retirement savings plans, and access to a number of discounts and perks. Please utilize the links listed here to learn more about our compensation practices and benefits.

Conditions of Employment

The University of California, Irvine (UCI) seeks to provide a safe and healthy environment for the entire UCI community. As part of this commitment, all applicants who accept an offer of employment must comply with the following conditions of employment:

• Background Check and Live Scan
• Employment Misconduct*
• Legal Right to Work in the United States
• Vaccination Policies
• Smoking and Tobacco Policy
• Drug Free Environment

*Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

The following additional conditions may apply, some of which are dependent upon business unit or job specific requirements.

• California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
• E-Verify
• Pre-Placement Health Evaluation

Details of each policy may be reviewed by visiting the following page: https://hr.uci.edu/new-hire/conditions-of-employment.php

Closing Statement

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.

UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact UCI's Employee Experience Center (EEC) at [e-mail] or at [phone], Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Consideration for Work Authorization Sponsorship

Must be able to provide proof of work authorization