Ophthalmic Technician Assistant (Ophthalmology)

With close supervision and instruction, we are seeking an Ophthalmic Technician Assistant who will learn to assist the Ophthalmologist with patient care by performing ophthalmic testing as outlined below.

The Wilmer Eye Institute of Johns Hopkins University has an exciting opportunity for exceptional candidates to train for a career as an Ophthalmic Technician, no experience required. Start your career in Ophthalmology with one of the leading organizations in delivering state-of-the art eye care, training future healthcare leaders, and conducting cutting-edge research. We have a robust training program that will provide you with a strong foundation to pursue a multitude of career paths beyond Ophthalmic Technician such as Clinic Manager, Ophthalmic Clinic Supervisor, Assistant Administrator, Orthoptist, Optometrist, Marketing, IT, and Research, to name a few. This is also an opportunity for pre-med students to gain clinical experience during their gap year or prior to applying to medical school, as well. No evening or weekend work required. Follow this link to learn more,

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Obtain and concisely record an accurate patient history

• Chief complaint
• Past ocular history
• Family history
• Systemic illnesses
• Medications
• Allergies and drug reactions
• Social history

Basic skills and lensometry

• Measure visual acuity at distance and near utilizing test appropriate for age and education, and records accurately.
• Perform pinhole testing when indicated.
• Perform and record contrast sensitivity.
• Perform Ishihara or HRR color vision testing.
• Accurately measure and record current lens power with a lensometer.
• Perform and record exophthalmometry.
• Perform and record Amsler grid.
• Perform and record Schirmer testing.
• Evaluate pupillary reactions, including afferent pupillary defect.
• Estimate anterior chamber depth.
• Able to properly operate common non-automated and automated ophthalmic equipment including,
• but not limited to: IOL Master, Orb-scan, bright field acuity testing (BAT), potential acuity meter (PAM), autorefractor, corneal pachymetry, Humphrey visual field, Goldmann visual field, OCT, HRT, Lenstar.

Patient Services

• Apply proper ocular dressings and shields.
• Follow divisional protocols for eye drop instillation, including cycloplegics and topical anesthetics.
• Properly instill eye drops.
• Label newly opened bottles with expiration dates.
• Understand the indications/contraindications for use in dilation.
• Measure interpupillary distances, evaluate spectacle fit.
• Properly assist physically or visually disabled patients.
• Adhere to regulations regarding drug samples and drug sample logs.

Basic Tonometry

• Perform accurate Goldmann applanation tonometry and properly disinfect the tonometer.
• Perform accurate Tono-pen tonometry and properly disinfect and store the tonometer.
• Perform accurate Eye Care tonometry.
• Understand the principles of scleral rigidity and the factors that alter intraocular pressure.

Instrument Maintenance

• Perform routine instrument maintenance on all ophthalmic equipment.
• Stock examination rooms in the assigned area and ensure medication expiration dates are current.
• Disinfect and maintain examination rooms.

General Medical Knowledge

• Maintain current CPR certification.
• Understand basic ocular anatomy and physiology, systemic diseases, ocular diseases, and ocular emergencies.
• Understand and practice the fundamentals of microbial control.
• Must complete currently required JHMI courses, such as,
• Self-learning educational packets
• HIPAA regulations
• Conflict of Interest
• Complete Annual Review paperwork in a timely manner.
• Complete training in software such as Epic, POE, TAP, Forum, Oculab, and Allscripts
• Assist the physician chair-side as a scribe.

In addition to the duties described above:

• Surgical assisting with minor outpatient procedures; basic instrument care.
• Perform basic slit lamp evaluation of anterior chamber depth.
• Measure axial length with A-scan biometry.
• Perform protocol refractometry or other testing for clinical trials.
• Instruct patients in contact lens care, insertion and removal.
• Neuro-physiologic testing including electroretinogram (ERG), Multi-focal electroretinogram
• (MFERG), visual evoked potential (VEP), Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope (SLO)
• Other duties that may be assigned.

• High school diploma or graduation equivalent
• Must obtain Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) from Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO) within 18 months of start date.
• CPR certification.
• 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.

Classified Title: Ophthalmic Technician Assistant
Role/Level/Range: ACRO40/E/02/CD
Starting Salary Range: $17.20 - $30.30 HRLY (18.41 targeted; Commensurate w/exp.)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Mon-Fri 8:30am- 5:00pm
FLSA Status:Non-Exempt
Location: JH Wilmer Eye at Columbia
Department name: Columbia Practice Oph
Personnel area: School of Medicine

Total Rewards
The referenced base salary range represents the low and high end of Johns Hopkins University's salary range for this position. Not all candidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range. Exact salary will ultimately depend on multiple factors, which may include the successful candidate's geographic location, skills, work experience, market conditions, education/training and other qualifications. Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here:

Education and Experience Equivalency
Please refer to the job description above to see which forms of equivalency are permitted for this position. If permitted, equivalencies will follow these guidelines: JHU Equivalency Formula: 30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience. Additional related experience may substitute for required education on the same basis. For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job.

Applicants Completing Studies
Applicants who do not meet the posted requirements but are completing their final academic semester/quarter will be considered eligible for employment and may be asked to provide additional information confirming their academic completion date.

Background Checks
The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check. Johns Hopkins is committed to hiring individuals with a justice-involved background, consistent with applicable policies and current practice. A prior criminal history does not automatically preclude candidates from employment at Johns Hopkins University. In accordance with applicable law, the university will review, on an individual basis, the date of a candidate's conviction, the nature of the conviction and how the conviction relates to an essential job-related qualification or function.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity and inclusion and advances these through our key strategic framework, the JHU Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion.

Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

EEOis the Law

Accommodation Information
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 Talent Acquisition Office at View email address on click.appcast.io. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit

Vaccine Requirements
Johns Hopkins University requires all faculty, staff, and students to receive the seasonal flu vaccine. Exceptions to the 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.

The following additional provisions may apply, depending upon 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.