Ophthalmic Assistant Certified

Ophthalmic Assistant

At SSM Health, we are committed to providing exceptional care and creating a healing environment for our patients. We are seeking a dedicated Ophthalmic Assistant to join our ophthalmology team and support our mission of delivering compassionate, high-quality eye care.

The Ophthalmic Assistant plays a vital role in assisting ophthalmologists and optometrists with patient care, diagnostic testing, and clinical procedures. This position ensures smooth clinic operations and an excellent patient experience.

• Prepare patients for eye examinations and procedures.
• Perform preliminary vision tests, including visual acuity, tonometry, and refraction.
• Assist with diagnostic imaging such as OCT, fundus photography, and visual field testing.
• Document patient history and maintain accurate medical records in the EMR system.
• Educate patients on eye health, medications, and post-procedure care.
• Maintain and clean ophthalmic instruments and equipment.
• Support physicians during minor procedures and surgeries as needed.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 1 year of health care experience required
• COA (Certified Ophthalmic Assistant) certification strongly preferred or willingness to obtain within 18 months of hire.
• Previous experience in ophthalmology or optometry setting is a plus.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced clinical environment.

Why Join SSM Health?

• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Opportunities for professional growth and certification support.
• A mission-driven organization focused on holistic patient care.
• Collaborative and supportive team environment.

Job Summary:

Participates in the care and treatment of eye care patients utilizing and performing unique and complex skills distinctive to ophthalmology. Demonstrates accountability to patients, peers, and other health team members through positive customer relations and effective communication. Provides care for children and adult patients of all ages.

Job Responsibilities and Requirements:

• Assists eye care providers in the exam and treatment of patients.
• Initiates documentation of the patient's chief complaint, history of present illness, review of systems, and all pertinent ocular findings.
• Perform testing to include visual acuity measurement, color vision testing, lensometry, keratometry, testing pupil function, tonometry, automated perimetry, evaluation of EOMs (Extra-Ocular Muscle), confrontation visual field testing, low vision, dry eye testing, specialty contact demos, and other patient services as requested by the provider.
• Assists with dry eye procedures, surgical procedures, and laser treatments in the office, including lesion removals, oculoplastic procedures, corneal crosslinking, diode lasers and sutures.
• Acts as a scribe by documenting clinically relevant interaction and dialogue during the course of the patient visit. Provides advanced patient education regarding surgery and treatments under direction of eye care provider.
• Provides pre-surgical workups, measurements, and testing to inform the diagnostic decisions of the physicians.
• Participates in emergency patient workups for sight-threatening conditions (i.e. retinal detachment).
• Maintains inventory of surgical instruments in accordance with system and department standards.
• Completes requests for prescription refills as authorized by provider with full documentation in patient chart.
• Screens patients and calls for emergency/urgent situations; obtains pertinent information for provider.
• Works in a constant state of alertness and safe manner.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education:

• High School diploma/GED or 10 years of work experience

Experience:

• One year health care experience

Physical Requirements:

• Constant standing and walking.
• Frequent use of hearing and speech to share information through oral communication.
• Frequent use of hearing to distinguish body sounds and/or hear alarms, malfunctioning machinery, etc.
• Frequent lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling objects weighing 0-25 lbs.
• Frequent reaching, gripping, and keyboard use/data entry.
• Frequent use of vision for distances near (20 inches or less) and far (20 feet or more) and to identify and distinguish colors.
• Occasional bending, stooping, crawling, kneeling, sitting, squatting and repetitive foot/leg and hand/arm movements.
• Occasional use of vision to judge distances and spatial relationships.
• Occasional lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling objects weighing 25-50 lbs.
• Occasional lifting/moving patients.
• Occasional use of smell to detect/recognize odors.
• Occasional driving.

Required Professional License and/or Certifications:

• Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) - Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO)

Work Shift: Day Shift (United States of America)

Job Type: Employee

Department: 6650040164 West Ophth

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40

Benefits:

• Paid Parental Leave: we offer eligible team members one week of paid parental leave for newborns or newly adopted children (pro-rated based on FTE).
• Flexible Payment Options: our voluntary benefit offered through DailyPay offers eligible hourly team members instant access to their earned, unpaid base pay (fees may apply) before payday.
• Upfront Tuition Coverage: we provide upfront tuition coverage through FlexPath Funded for eligible team members.

SSM Health values our exceptional employees by offering a comprehensive benefits package to fit their needs.

SSM Health is an equal opportunity employer. SSM Health does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Click here to learn more.