CO Ophthalmic Technician

General Summary:

This position is located in a satellite office with multiple functions and minimal staff. The job requires multi-tasking in order to complete a variety of tasks.Working with faculty, Clinic Manager and Clinic Supervisor, this position’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.

Duties and Responsibilities:

OPHTHALMIC TECHNICIAN - 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.

OPHTHALMIC TECHNICIAN – NONCLINICAL:

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.

Qualifications:

Education:

High School Diploma/GED. Must obtain Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) from Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO) within 18 months of start date. Must maintain certification while employed at Wilmer. Familiarity with ophthalmic and general medical terminology. Maintain current CPR certification.

Certification:

Certification as a COA, COT or COMT

Experience:

• One (1) years of related ophthalmic experience.

• Prior experience in a clinical office setting as an ophthalmic technician.

• Experience with surgical coordination preferred.

Special Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Required:

• Solid knowledge of ocular anatomy (including anterior and posterior portions of eye).
• Working knowledge of ophthalmic medications, and knowledge of allergic reaction to drugs.
• Knowledge of the following ophthalmic equipment: projector, trial lenses, phoropter, various tonometers, lensometer, slit lamp, Bright Field Acuity Tester, and Potential Acuity Meter.

Classified Title: CO Ophthalmic Technician
Working Title: CO Ophthalmic Technician ​​​​​
Role/Level/Range: ACRO40/E/02/CE
Starting Salary Range: $53,404-$60,694
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Mon-Fri 8:30-5
Exempt Status: Non-Exempt
Location: 48-MD:JH at Bethesda
Department name: 10003315-SOM Oph Satellites
Personnel area: School of Medicine

The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the HR Business Services Office atjhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711.

The following additional provisions may apply depending on which campus you will work. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.

During the Influenza ("the flu") season, as a condition of employment, The Johns Hopkins Institutions require all employees who provide ongoing services to patients or work in patient care or clinical care areas to have an annual influenza vaccination or possess an approved medical or religious exception. Failure to meet this requirement may result in termination of employment.

The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.

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