Ophthalmic Testing Assistant

Provides assistance, technical support and services to Ophthalmologists including taking patient medical histories, administering diagnostic tests, and assisting during treatment and surgical procedures while acquiring on-the-job training for the COA certification.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ophthalmic Assistant Certification obtained through JCAHPO within one (1) year of hire date.
• Certification in Basic Life Support within 30 days of hire date.

Responsibilities

• Escorts patients to exam rooms.
• Obtains and records accurate patient histories to include chief complaint, present ocular status, ocular history, family history, past and present medical history, medications, and allergies.
• Obtains and records accurate visual acuity of adult, children, and infant patients.
• Performs Visual Field Testing, basic lensometry, and keratometry.
• Measures and records spectacle prescriptions both manually and with automated equipment.
• Performs basic ocular motility testing and records results.
• Measures and compares basic pupil assessments.
• Tests intraocular pressure with applanation tonometer and tonopen.
• Performs and records slit lamp exams.
• Cleans and sterilizes ophthalmic instruments and maintains ophthalmic equipment.
• Stocks examination rooms with supplies on a daily basis, maintains clinic inventory, and ensures working order of equipment.
• Maintains universal precautions.
• Moves equipment to other testing areas of the clinic or hospital.
• Participates in educational instruction and independent study in preparation for COA Certification.
• Under the supervision of the provider or certified technician, may perform more advanced patient testing and advanced skills to obtain sufficient on-the-job training to meet qualifications needed for COA certification required at one year of service.
• Certification-eligible testing assistants may administer topical ocular medications.

Physical Requirements

• Work requires strength and/or stamina, lifting, moving, stooping, reaching, standing for long intervals, frequent walking, and carrying materials or pushing equipment weighing 40+ lbs.
• Vision correctable to at least 20/30 in one eye.

Working Environment

• Normal clinical environment.
• May be exposed to biohazards and communicable diseases.
• Works in the presence of ophthalmic lasers frequently and is required to wear protective eye equipment.
• May work with blood, lab specimens, and other patient bodily fluids that require universal precautions.
• Travel to offsite clinics may be required.

Skills

• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously in a high-volume clinic.
• Ability to operate ophthalmic equipment and computers.
• Analytical skills desirable to complete the technical aspects of patient examinations.

Schedule

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40