Ophthalmic Assistant - Ophthalmology

Join the UTHealth Department of Ophthalmology

Join the UTHealth Department of Ophthalmology as a Full-Time Ophthalmic Assistant! In this role, you'll work alongside our physicians and clinical team to support patient care, prepare patients for eye exams, and assist with diagnostic procedures under direct supervision. This is a great opportunity to build your ophthalmic skills while contributing to a collaborative, patient-focused healthcare environment.

What we do here changes the world. UTHealth Houston is Texas' resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care. That's where you come in.

Once you join us you won't want to leave. It's because we reward our team for the excellent service they provide. Our total rewards package includes the benefits you'd expect from a top healthcare organization (benefits, insurance, etc.), plus:

• 100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees
• Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, both vacation and sick time all of which equates to around 37-38 days per year)
• The longer you stay, the more vacation you'll accrue!
• Longevity Pay (Monthly payments after two years of service)
• Build your future with our awesome retirement/pension plan!

We take care of our employees! As a world-renowned institution, our employees' wellbeing is important to us. We offer work/life services such as...

• Free financial and legal counseling
• Free mental health counseling services
• Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs
• Other employee discounts including entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc.
• Resources for child and elder care
• Plus many more!

Position Summary:

The Ophthalmic Assistant will support physicians by assisting with patient care and preparing patients for exams and diagnostic procedures under direct supervision.

Position Key Accountabilities:

• Prepares patients for the physician's examination by obtaining vital information such as the chief complaint, basic medical/surgical history, family history, medication list, and allergies.
• Assists in performing routine, basic ophthalmic tests as directed by the physician (e.g., visual acuity).
• Assists with the coordination of diagnostic tests, minor in-office procedures, and patient follow-up as directed.
• Supports prescription refill processes and prior authorization requests under physician supervision.
• Answers patient phone calls and questions within the scope of knowledge; escalates as needed.
• Set up and maintain clean, well-stocked exam rooms; ensure equipment and instruments are in working order.
• May assist with in-office surgical procedures under direct supervision.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Certification/Skills:

• Demonstrates basic clinical and administrative competency.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Commitment to delivering outstanding patient care.
• Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) by International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (IJCAHPO) within 12 months of employment required
• Basic Life Support (BLS) by American Heart Association (AHA) required

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or equivalent required May substitute required education with equivalent years of experience beyond the minimum experience requirement. Graduate of an education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s) in an Ophthalmic Assistant Program preferred

Minimum Experience:

2 years of work experience in an Ophthalmology office required

Physical Requirements:

Exerts up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds frequently and/or up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects.

Security Sensitive:

This position is a security-sensitive position pursuant to Texas Education Code 51.215 and Texas Government Code 411.094. To the extent that a position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Texas Business and Commerce Code 117.001(2), the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired for and to continue to be employed in that position. Personnel in such positions, and similarly situated state contractors, will be routinely reviewed to determine whether things such as criminal history or continuous connections to the government or political apparatus of a foreign adversary might prevent the applicant, employee, or contractor from being able to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure. A foreign adversary is a nation listed in 15 C.F.R. 791.4.

Residency Requirement:

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.