Ophthalmic Scribe

About the Role

Join Specialty Eye Associates/Ascend Vision Partners and be part of a team focused on building a differentiated integrated eye care platform that delivers superior patient care through our network of optometrists and ophthalmologists. As an Ophthalmic Scribe (Certified or Non-Certified), you will assist providers by documenting patient information in real-time, including medical history, findings, and treatment plans, to improve efficiency and accuracy in eye care. You may also cross-train as a technician to meet patient needs.

Responsibilities

• Foster a positive and successful working environment by partnering with team members, leadership, and providers.
• Accurately and thoroughly document patient history, including history of present illness, review of systems, past medical and surgical histories, family and social histories, medications, and allergies.
• Provide primary ophthalmic care to patients and act as a clinical assistant to the physician.
• Enter and update patient information in the EMR system, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
• Perform complete ophthalmic history and preliminary exams, including sub-specialty tests such as refraction, visual field (VF) test, A-Scan Biometry (IOL master), Pachymetry, PAM evaluation, color testing, and contact lens evaluation.
• Assist with patient communication, clarifying information and answering questions as needed.
• Verify patient information by interviewing patients, recording medical history, and confirming the purpose of the visit.
• Streamline the workflow of the ophthalmology practice by freeing up the ophthalmologist’s time for patient care.
• Coordinate with other members of the healthcare team, such as nurses, technicians, and other scribes, to ensure smooth operations.
• Prepare patients for ophthalmology examinations by dilating pupils, assessing changes in visual acuity, elevated extraocular pressure, or blood pressure, and communicating results to the attending physician.
• Assist with minor procedures and ophthalmic imaging.
• Secure patient information and maintain confidentiality by completing and safeguarding medical records, diagnostic and procedure coding, and adhering to privacy regulations.
• Counsel patients by transmitting physician’s orders, explaining the use of drops, contact lenses, drugs, and answering questions about surgery and specialty imaging.
• Maintain a safe, secure, and healthy work environment by establishing and following standards and procedures, and complying with legal regulations.
• Process prescription refill requests.
• Perform a standard number of patient work-ups based on established times while maintaining quality customer service.
• Maintain stock in exam rooms according to standard inventory and physician preferences.
• Maintain minor procedure stock and sterilize instruments.
• Set up and prepare for minor procedures, including setting sterile trays and maintaining a sterile field.

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent, required.
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience in a healthcare setting and/or experience as a scribe, preferred.
• Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT), Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA), and/or Certified Ophthalmic Scribe (COS) certification, preferred.

Skills

• Knowledge of medical terminology.
• Ability to work effectively with internal and external customers.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including active listening.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality when dealing with sensitive information.

Physical Requirements

• Talking: Express or exchange ideas through spoken word; convey detailed or essential instructions accurately and succinctly.
• Hearing: Perceive sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction; receive detailed information through oral communication.
• Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and fingers while working on reports on the computer.
• Sedentary Work: Occasionally exert up to 10 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or move objects. Walking and standing are required frequently throughout the day.
• Visual Requirements: Close visual acuity (with or without correction) to prepare and analyze data, transcribe, view a computer terminal, and read.
• Environmental Conditions: Not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions (typical office work environment).