Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (40 hours/week Bellevue)

About the role

The Certified Ophthalmic Assistant performs a wide variety of clinical and technical duties to support the examination, diagnosis, and treatment of eye conditions under the direct supervision of the Department Manager and guidance of the provider. This role assists medical providers in delivering high-quality care, performing essential diagnostic testing, and ensuring smooth and efficient clinic operations. The position prioritizes patient needs, building rapport and maintaining productive, supportive relationships while collaborating closely with providers and clinical staff.

Responsibilities

• Comply with all Kaiser Permanente quality, safety, infection-prevention, emergency, and confidentiality policies.
• Demonstrate professionalism, safety awareness, and effective clinical practice in every interaction, ensuring patient safety through correct medication handling, infection control, equipment use, fall-prevention practices, and adherence to procedural time-outs.
• Report all safety hazards, incidents, and unsafe conditions promptly.
• Prepare examination and treatment rooms by cleaning, stocking, and arranging equipment and supplies; requires regular bending, reaching, and lifting up to 45 pounds.
• Review the daily appointment schedule, greet and escort patients to examination rooms, and provide instructions or assistance as patients prepare for procedures.
• Obtain and document comprehensive ocular and systemic histories, family histories, allergies, medications, and relevant clinical information in the electronic medical record.
• Perform vision screening and fundamental ophthalmic tests, including:
  • Distance and near visual acuity (with and without correction)
  • Stereopsis and color testing
  • Extraocular motility and pupil evaluations
  • Confrontation visual fields
  • Tonometry using all approved methods
  • Slit-lamp assistance
  • Manual and automatic lensometry
• Perform technical responsibilities under provider direction, including:
  • Manual and automatic keratometry
  • Retinoscopy and refractometry
  • Potential Acuity Meter testing
  • Visual field testing
  • Fundus and anterior segment photography
  • External photography
  • A-scan and B-scan ultrasonography
  • Removal, cleaning, and insertion of contact lenses
• Perform advanced imaging as ordered, including:
  • OCT and Optos imaging
  • Pentacam
  • Fluorescein Angiography and ICG angiography
  • IOL Master biometry
  • Goldmann Visual Fields
  • Diabetic retinal photography
• Administer ophthalmic medications, including drops and ointments, only as ordered by the provider.
• Assist with therapeutic procedures such as foreign body removal.
• Provide scribing support by accurately recording provider-dictated assessments, findings, treatment plans, orders, and patient instructions in the electronic medical record.
• Scan, upload, and maintain clinical documentation in compliance with KP standards.
• Support minor surgical, laser, and other ophthalmic procedures by preparing sterile and clean equipment, setting up procedure trays, attending to patient needs, and maintaining strict sterile technique.
• Maintain, clean, calibrate, and sterilize ophthalmic instruments such as slit lamps, lenses, ophthalmoscopes, and diagnostic devices.
• Ensure examination and treatment rooms are clean, orderly, and functional.
• Receive, triage, and respond to patient calls, messages, and clinical inquiries within scope.
• Provide clear instructions regarding medications, diagnostic procedures, and follow-up care.
• Collaborate with ophthalmology, optometry, optical services, pharmacy, family medicine, and other Kaiser Permanente departments to ensure coordinated patient care.
• Address patient concerns directly or route them to the appropriate personnel or department.
• Perform administrative responsibilities, including:
  • Scheduling appointments
  • Answering phones and checking in patients
  • Documenting visits and maintaining departmental logs
  • Ordering supplies
  • Completing medical documentation scans
  • Transporting patients or equipment as needed
• Use the electronic medical record accurately and efficiently for all documentation and workflow needs.
• Complete all required Kaiser Permanente training, including competency validations and required reading.
• Perform patient care tasks during training under direct supervision and complete competency check-offs for skills such as visual acuity, tonometry, lensometry, and more.
• Assist with orienting and training newly hired staff as needed.
• Demonstrate the service behaviors outlined in the Kaiser Permanente Service Quality Credo and Mission, providing culturally responsive, inclusive, and respectful service.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support departmental and organizational needs.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED) required.
• Certified Ophthalmic Assistant, Certified Ophthalmic Technician, or Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist certification required at hire from the International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology.
• Medical Assistant Certificate or Registered Medical Assistant (Washington) within 2 months of hire.
• Basic Life Support certification within 2 months of hire.
• Demonstrated experience and competence with ophthalmic instruments, including:
  • Auto-refractor and auto-lensometer
  • Non-contact tonometer
  • Titmus vision tester and Snellen chart
  • Visual acuity projector
  • Visual field testing equipment
• Demonstrated proficiency in the use of instruments and equipment for preliminary testing, ancillary testing, and application of eye-drops.
• Demonstrated customer service skills and customer focus abilities.
• Ability to function effectively in a professional environment within a managed practice organization.
• Familiarity with optometric and optical terminology, instruments, and equipment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with contact lens patients and products.
• Experience working in an ophthalmology or optometry practice.
• Graduate of an accredited medical assistant, ophthalmic assistant, or allied health professional program.
• Six months to one year of previous experience as a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant.

Pay

$27 - $43.57 per hour.

Schedule

• Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40
• Shift: Day
• Workdays: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
• Working Hours Start: 07:30 AM
• Working Hours End: 06:00 PM
• Job Schedule: Full-time
• Worker Location: Onsite
• Travel: Yes, 25% of the time