Eye Care Assistant

At Henry Ford Health, we're committed to advancing health and improving lives for the millions of people we serve across Michigan and around the world. As one of the nation's leading academic health systems, we provide a comprehensive continuum of care that includes primary and preventive services, specialty and complex care, virtual care, pharmacy, home health, eye care, health insurance, and more. With 12 hospitals and hundreds of ambulatory care locations, including former Ascension Southeast Michigan and Flint Region facilities, our growing network expands access to exceptional care in the communities we serve.

Headquartered in Detroit, Henry Ford Health is helping shape the future of healthcare through the transformative Future of Health: Detroit initiative, a $3 billion investment that is redefining our academic healthcare campus and advancing innovation, research, education, and community impact.

Our work is grounded in purpose, collaboration, and belonging. We empower team members to grow their careers, contribute innovative ideas, and make a meaningful difference every day. Whether you're caring for patients, supporting operations, conducting research, or driving new solutions, you'll be part of a team united by a shared mission: delivering exceptional care, advancing health outcomes, and building healthier communities for all.

Job Description

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Eye Care Assistants perform administrative and clinical duties that vary by subspecialty. They work under direction or supervision of a physician who is licensed to practice medicine and surgery and is qualified in ophthalmology. In general, they take medical histories, measure visual acuity and intraocular pressure, record vital signs, assist in patient education/compliance, prepare patients for examination by the physician, and assist the physician during the examination and/or surgery. Ophthalmic allied health professionals are not independent practitioners and do not diagnose or treat eye disorders, nor do they prescribe medications.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Medical History Taking: Obtain and accurately record patient’s medical and ocular history including chief complaint, medications, allergies, and review of systems in accordance with compliance guidelines. Select and complete appropriate forms and protocol as required by the supervising ophthalmologist and/or sub-specialist. Use approved medical abbreviations. May scribe for the physician.
• Visual Acuity Testing: Perform visual acuity testing to determine the basic ability of a person to see both near and far, with and without correction. Conduct pinhole acuity test, glare test, and potential acuity test( e.g. BAT, PAM)
• Lensometry: Apply basic optics necessary to measure the power of corrective lenses using automated or manual lensometers.
• Visual Field Testing: Perform confrontation visual field and screening tests using automated and/or Frequency Doubling perimetry. Detect central field abnormalities with an Amsler grid.
• Tonometry: Demonstrate proper aseptic technique and measure intraocular pressure with non-contact, digital and/or Goldmann applanation tonometers. Calibrate TonoPen.
• Instrument maintenance and repair: Care for, maintain, and perform minor servicing of exam room equipment. Maintain records, equipment manuals, and repair logs. Restock supplies as rooms are opened; protect and properly store instruments as rooms are closed. Replace light bulbs and fuses as needed.
• Other Specialized Tests: Perform color vision testing with color plates. Measure pupil size and detect abnormalities in pupil reaction. Estimate anterior chamber depth with pen light. Obtain measurements using automated refractors and/or keratometers. 
• Other Patient Services: Coordinate patient flow and appointments. Apply and remove eye dressings and shields. Instill drops and ointment into patient’s eye as directed for completion of diagnostic evaluation of patient by ophthalmologist. Recognize the symptoms of allergic reactions to medications. Follow department protocol on prescription refill processing. Measure and record vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, respiration). Provide patient education on tests – why done, when results are expected.
• Contact Lens Assisting: Take history from the patient on contact lens wear and identify problems. Perform visual acuity with contacts. Instruct patients on insertion, removal, care, and solutions for all types of lenses. Insert trial contact lenses. Order contact lenses for patients per doctor specifications and initiate purchase orders. Maintain contact lens stock and patient files.
• Refractometry: Enter spectacle data into a Phoropter for the supervising physician or technician.
• Surgical Assisting: Set up and assist in non-refractive laser surgery (argon, YAG, etc.) and minor surgery. Prepare instrument tray for minor surgical procedures. Disinfect lenses and instruments that make contact with the eye. Maintain surgical instruments in accordance with OSHA standards.
• Utilize HFHS communication and patient information systems (phone, computer, fax, pagers, email, and interoffice mail) as needed. Locate and prepare charts for daily schedule per physician protocol. Respond to phone calls, fax messages, email promptly and effectively. Document messages accurately. Notify supervising physician on care management issues.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Qualifications

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent.
• Position requires a high level of initiative and the flexibility to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Visual/hearing/verbal requirements: The ability to see details of objects at a close range (within a few feet of the observer). The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand during test procedures, in taking patient histories, and in performing tests on patients.
• The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects Manual dexterity is required to operate various equipment in the performance of duties. Attention to detail necessary due to the exacting nature of the position. Ability to find information and identify essential information in managing patient information.

Additional Information

CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSURES REQUIRED:

• Must meet or exceed core customer service responsibilities, standards and behaviors as outlined in the HFHS’ Customer Service Policy
• Must practice the customer skills as provided through on-going training and in-services.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS:

Works in a patient care environment with possible exposure to infectious diseases.