Certified Ophthalmic Assistant/Technician | Eye Center - the Oaks | Gainesville | Full-Time

Location: Hampton Oaks Medical Center
6201 W. Newberry Road
Gainesville, FL 32605

Schedule: Varies | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Employment Type: Full-Time

Join UF Health Gainesville as a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant and become part of a nationally recognized academic health system dedicated to excellence in patient care, education, and research. In this role, you will work alongside ophthalmologists and other healthcare professionals to provide exceptional eye care services in a collaborative, patient-centered environment while supporting the mission of improving the health and well-being of the communities we serve.

The Ophthalmic Assistant participates in the care of patients in a clinic setting by performing ophthalmic examinations such as, Visual Assessments, Pupillary Assessments, Tonometry, Lensometry, Contact Lens, Visual Field Examinations, Slit Lamp Examinations Goldman Visual Fields, Ophthalmic photography, placing patients in rooms, preparing patients for exams/procedures and providing patient/family support. Schedules patient appointments, handles referrals. Prepares and maintains patient medical records. The incumbent may be responsible for obtaining insurance coverage and benefits, obtaining authorizations and updating demographic/financial data.

Efficient clinic flow and maximum room utilization occurs by appropriately preparing patients for the provider's examination, including charts and records.

• Achieves:
  • Demonstrates awareness of clinic schedule and the arrival and departure of patients.
  • Anticipates unusual situations
  • Assures patients are placed in rooms in a timely manner and prepared for physician exam by obtaining, but not limited to: Patient History, Visual Assessment including but not limited to Visual Acuity Potential Acuity meter measurements, Pinhole Acuity
  • Tonometry including but not limited to Goldman Applanation tonometer (clean, inspect, calibrate)
  • Pupillary Assessment including: Measure, Compare, Evaluate
  • Slit lamp examination
  • Medical record documentation is clear, accurate and legible
  • Facilitates room turnover and preparation between patients. 
• Exceeds: Independently and consistently coordinates with team members to facilitate clinic flow without compromising quality patient care. Acts in a proactive manner to anticipate constantly changing needs of patients, providers, and staff, and recognizes roadblock or delays in patient flow. Is recognized as resource person. Identifies opportunities for increased efficiency in flow and patient visit preparation. 

Assists physicians with therapeutic procedures and performs diagnostic tests utilizing specialized training, including sterile technique in accordance with UFP and clinic specific policies.

• Achieves:
  • Anticipates patient and provider needs during exams/procedures by obtaining and/or performing specialized procedures, such as, but not limited to: Automated and manual visual fields: Amsler Grid, Goldman Perimeter, Confrontational fields, Automated perimetry.
  • Keratometry including Corneal Curvature
  • Lensometry including but not limited to: Neutralize Spectacles Automated and Manual
  • Refractometry including: Refractive Error (Auto), Manifest Refraction
  • Microbiology: Office antisepsis, Universal precautions
  • Chart documentation is clear, accurate and legible. 
• Exceeds: Is recognized as a resource person by physicians and peers. Suggests Treatment modalities to physicians, which are acted upon. Identifies and Participates in implementation of alternative ways to assist in clinic to improve efficiency. 

Provides age appropriate, and developmental level, patient care by performing ophthalmic skills according to the UFP and clinic policies and procedures.

• Achieves:
  • Assesses and collects data to determine patient stability/change
  • Patient Education including but not limited to: Surgery, Systemic and Ocular diseases, Anatomy and Physiology (general and ocular), Medications Tests, Treatments
  • Integrates assessment findings with previously reported or documented information to determine changes in patient's status
  • Recognizes interrelationships between assessment findings, monitored parameters, and therapies, including medications and appropriate notification given to the provider
  • Ophthalmic skills are performed in accordance with the UFP and clinic policies and procedures
  • Patient's needs are addressed as they are identified 
• Exceeds: Is recognized as a resource person by physicians and peers. Suggest treatment modalities to physicians, which are acted upon. 

If applicable, assists physicians by performing ophthalmic photography utilizing specialized training and technique in accordance with UFP and clinic specific policies.

• Achieves:
  • Anticipates patient and provider needs during exams/procedures including performance of ophthalmic photography including but not limited to: Heidelberg OCT photography (Anterior & Posterior segment),  Optos, Fundus photography, A scan B scan & Emersions, Topography/Immersion, Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer (RNFLs), Intravitreal Fluorescein Angiograms (IVFAs), Electroretinography (ERG) 
• Exceeds: Is recognized as a resource person by physicians and peers. Suggests treatment modalities to physicians, which are acted upon. Identifies and participates in implementation of alternative ways to assist in clinic to improve efficiency.  

Verbal and written communication are clear, accurate and according to UFP policy and procedure.

• Achieves: Uses appropriate communication techniques for patients and families served. Assures that Patients and their families have a thorough understanding of why they are here, tests that will be performed and policy, protocol and procedure of the clinic. 

Contributes to the efficient operation of the clinic by performing other related duties as may be required.

Achieves: Assigned tasks are performed willingly and within the time frame as requested.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• Completion of a twelve-week formal COA training program or completion of the AAO Independent Study Course, followed by successfully passing the JCAHPO COA certification exam (or obtained within the 1st year of employment).
• Annual continuing education credits must be maintained.
• Basic knowledge of computers is preferred.
• Person should display initiative, and have the ability to multitask.
• Proven ability to problem-solve and be a team player is essential.

Licensure/Certification/Registration:

• Certified Ophthalmic Assistant.
• Certificate in Basic Life Support.

Motor Vehicle Operator Designation:

None provided