CO Ophthalmic Technician

The Department of Ophthalmology is seeking anOphthalmic Technician. 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.

Specific Duties & 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 testing.
• 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, Potential 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. Recognizes difficult scans and adjusting unit as needed in patients 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.
• Assists with in office procedures requiring clinical input.
• Maintains proper level of supplies in exam rooms.
• Ensures medication expiration dates are current.
• Responsible for maintaining and sterilization of instruments.
• Disinfects and maintains condition of exam rooms.
• Understands and practices the fundamentals of microbial control.
• Maintains refrigerator logs, sharps container, and other logs.
• 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 monitoring, receiving and responding to in-basket messages from patients in Epic’s clinical support pool group.
• Helps justify prior authorization requirements from insurers for procedures and medications.
• Provides support to front desk staff by assisting in triaging scheduled appointments, responding to patients’ clinical questions and explaining technician related concerns to front desk staff.
• Assists with tracking and processing of forms request (i.e. MVA, disability, FLMA).
• Provides input on templates/schedules to maximize patient flow and physician efficiency.
• Maintains general medical knowledge of ocular anatomy and physiology, systemic diseases, ocular diseases and ocular emergencies.
• Maintains required (COA) ophthalmic technician certification.
• Other duties as assigned.

Decision Making/Authority:

• On a regular and continuous basis, exercises independent judgment and assumes responsibility for decisions, consequences, and results having an impact on people, costs, and/or quality of service within the functional area.

Communication:

• Exchanges non-routine information using tact and persuasion as appropriate.

Minimum Qualifications:

High School Diploma or equivalent. One year of Opthalmic Technician experience. Prior experience in a clinical office setting as an Ophthalmic Technician. Experience with surgical coordination preferred. Certification as a COA, COT or COMT required within 18 months of hire. Current American Heart Association or American Red Cross CPR certification. Must maintain certification for duration of employment.

Certification:

• Certification as a COA, COT or COMT required within 18 months of hire.

Additional Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Solid knowledge of ocular anatomy (including anterior and posterior portions of eye).
• Strong working knowledge of ophthalmic medications, and knowledge of allergic reaction to drugs.
• Strong working knowledge of the following ophthalmic equipment: projector, trial lenses, phoropter, various tonometers, lensometer, slit lamp, Bright Field Acuity Tester, and Potential Acuity Meter.
• Strong working knowledge of ophthalmic photography equipment.
• Strong working knowledge of medical terminology.
• Excellent organization, verbal and written communication skills. Ability to speak clearly and have patients understand language without misinterpretation or confusion.
• Professional maturity, appearance and demeanor.
• Ability to work independently and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to establish priorities.

Organizational Relationships:

• Reports to: Medical Director and Manager of the clinic/s in which the employee works.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand, walk or sit for an extended period of time.
• Finger dexterity required to manipulate objects with fingers rather than with whole hand(s) or arm(s), for example, using a keyboard.
• Possible exposure to communicable diseases.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of the skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, knowledge or abilities required of the position.

Classified Title: Ophthalmic Technician
Role/Level/Range:ACRO40/E/02/CE
Starting Salary Range:Commensurate with experience
Employee Group:Full Time
Schedule:Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm
Exempt Status: Non-Exempt
Location:JH at Greenspring Station
Department ame:Ophthalmology Greenspring
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.

Johns Hopkins has mandated COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, as applicable. Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/and all other JHU applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/.

The following additional provisions may apply, depending on campus. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.

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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