Ophthalmic Technician (Ophthalmology)

We are seeking an Ophthalmic Technician who will be a multi-specialty ophthalmology satellite clinic. The job requires multi-tasking to complete a variety of tasks. 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, completion and tracking of forms (MVA, FLMA, etc.) and prior authorizations.

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

Ophthalmic Technician - Clinical

• Records accurate patient history including chief complaint, information on ocular history, past surgeries, medical condition, medications taken, allergies, learning assessment, falls risk and family history.
• Complete Epic training
• 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.
• Instill eye drops under physicians' direction.
• Measures and records distance and near visual acuity.
• Measures and record intraocular pressure using applanation tonometry (i.e. Goldman tonometer), pneumatic tonometry, or Schiotz-type indentation tonometer.
• Performs Humphrey visual field testing
• 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 the presence of ocular motility disorders.
• Use a slit lamp to examine the eye surface.
• Performs special testing such as Tangent Field testing, Bright Field Acuity Testing; Potential Acuity Meter; and pachymetry.
• Performs basic maintenance or repair of clinical equipment.
• Possible participation in clinical research projects, compile and enter data for clinical studies
• Teach 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 units 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 keratometry reading if unobtainable.
• Calculates intraocular lens power using various formulas to fit patient's needs and situations, either manually or by computer.
• Take fundus photos as needed.
• Assist with in office procedures
• Responsible for exam room supply maintenance
• Ensure medication expiration dates are current
• Responsible for maintaining instruments and preparation for sterilization
• Disinfect and maintain examination rooms
• Understand and practice the fundamentals of microbial control
• Maintains refrigerator logs, sharps containers, etc.
• Is familiar with JCAHO requirements and ensures clinic practice is in compliance with regulations.
• Maintain general medical knowledge of ocular anatomy and physiology, systemic diseases, ocular diseases, and ocular emergencies.
• Maintain required (COA) ophthalmic technician certification

Ophthalmic Technician - Non-clinical

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, Complete prior authorizations for upcoming in office procedures.
• Complete 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.
• This position is also responsible for other duties assigned.

Qualifications Required

• Education / Experience: Minimum of a High School diploma or General Education Degree.
• Must obtain Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) from the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO) within 18 months of start date.
• Must maintain certification while employed at Wilmer. Failure to obtain/maintain certification might result in termination of employment at Wilmer.
• Mathematics: able to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, fractions, decimals, addition and subtraction of positive and negative numbers.

Language

• Able to comprehend simple instructions and short correspondence.
• Able to create simple correspondence.
• Able to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to patients and other employees.

Reasoning

• Able to comprehend and execute instructions.
• Able to manage situations with more than one variable.

Additional skills

• Familiarity with the operation of computers.
• Familiarity with ophthalmic and general medical terminology.
• Ability to enter information into the computer system
• Special knowledge, skills, and abilities:
• Solid knowledge of ocular anatomy (including anterior and posterior portions of the eye).
• Good working knowledge of ophthalmic medications and knowledge of allergic reaction to drugs.
• Good working knowledge of ophthalmic complications and post-surgery complications.
• Good working knowledge of the following ophthalmic equipment: projector, trial lenses, phoropter, various tonometers, lensometer, slit lamp, Bright Field Acuity Tester, and Potential Acuity Meter.
• Working knowledge of ophthalmic photography equipment.
• Good 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 are required.
• Ability to work independently and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to establish priorities.

Technical qualifications or specialized certifications

• Certification as a COA, COT or COMT preferred

• High School Diploma or graduation equivalent
• One year experience as an Ophthalmic Technician. Must obtain Certified Ophthalmic Asst (COA) from JCAHPO within 18 months of start date. CPR certification also required.
• 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
Role/Level/Range: ACRO40/E/02/CE
Starting Salary Range: $19.75 - $35.35 HRLY ($22.00-27.00/hour targeted; Commensurate w/exp.)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
FLSA Status:Non-Exempt
Location: School of Medicine Campus
Department name: Odenton Practice Oph
Personnel area: School of Medicine