"Ophthalmic Technician - Satellite Office"

Working with faculty, Clinic Manager and Clinic Supervisor, the Ophthalmic Technician's primary role is to provide technician/clinical support to physicians.

Secondary responsibilities include limited administrative duties such as responding to messages from patients and physicians and assisting with patient requests for refills, forms completion and prior authorizations.

Specific duties & responsibilities:

Clinical:

• Records patient history including chief complaint, information on ocular history, past surgeries, medical condition, medications taken, allergies, learning assessment, falls risk and family history.
• Checks pupil response to light by shining light into eye and watching speed with which pupils constrict; checks for afferent pupillary defect.
• Measures central visual field using Amsler Grid.
• Instills eye drops under physicians? direction.
• Measures and records distance and near visual acuity.
• Measures and records intraocular pressure using applanation tonometry (i.e. Goldman tonometer), pneumatic tonometry, or Schiotz-type indentation tonometer.
• Performs Humphrey visual field testing; refers patients for further testing where appropriate.
• Performs OCT?s
• Performs IOL Master measurements to prepare patients for cataract surgery
• Performs Pentacam measurements
• Performs accurate refractions.
• Tests color vision, depth perception (stereopsis).
• Screens for presence of ocular motility disorders.
• Uses slit lamp to examine eye surface.
• Performs special testing like Bright field Acuity Testing; otential Acuity Meter; and pachymetry.
• Performs basic maintenance or repair of clinical equipment.
• Compiles and enters data for clinical studies; may participate in other clinical research projects.
• Teaches patients how to insert and remove contact lenses correctly, and proper handling techniques.
• Performs ultrasound scans by measuring the axial length of the eye using various A-Scan ultrasound units. Recognizing difficult scans and adjusting unit as needed in patient with high myopia, high hyperopia, poor fixation nystagmus retinal detachments, corneal problems, and intraocular lenses already in place.
• Performs accurate keratometry readings adjusting keratometer reading if unobtainable.
• Calculates intraocular lens power using various formulas to fit patient?s needs and situations, either manually or by computer.
• Takes fundus photos as needed.
• Assist with in office procedures
• Responsible for exam room supply maintenance
• Ensure medication expiration dates are current
• Responsible for maintaining and sterilization of instruments
• Disinfect and maintain examination rooms
• Understand and practice the fundamentals of microbial control
• Maintains refrigerator logs, sharps container, etc.
• Is familiar with JCAHO requirements and ensures clinic practice is in compliance with regulations.

Non-Clinical:

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Responsible for epic in-basket messages (clinical support pool) and patient questions
• Process refill requests,
• Prior authorizations for upcoming in office procedures
• Prior authorizations for medications
• Provide support to front desk staff by assisting in triage scheduled appointments, respond to patients? clinical questions and explain technician related concerns to front desk staff
• Managing and ordering medications for intraviteral injections
• Assist with tracking and processing of forms request (ie MVA, disability, FLMA)
• Provide input on templates/schedules to maximize patient flow and physician efficiency.
• Maintain general medical knowledge of ocular anatomy and physiology, systemic diseases, ocular diseases and ocular emergencies.
• Maintain required (COA) ophthalmic technician certification
• This position is also responsible for other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or graduation equivalent.
• One year of experience as an Ophthalmic Technician. Must obtain Certified Ophthalmic Asst (COA) from JCAHPO within 18 months of start date.
• CPR certification required.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.