Ophthalmic Technician

Ophthalmic Technician

This position is responsible for doing everything necessary to maintain appropriate patient flow, patient satisfaction and doctor satisfaction. To perform an extensive number of data collection functions as delegated by the physician to allow for proper professional diagnosis of patients and to do so in a way that instills patient confidence in the treatment. Demonstrates ophthalmic technician skills.

Responsibilities/Duties

Communication and Patient Care

• Acquaints all new patients with the office procedures to which they will be exposed. Informs patients of the purpose of all tests performed and how they will be affected during the tests.
• Obtains patient history to include chief complaint, history of present illness, past history (ocular and general), family history (ocular and general), and history of allergies and medications.
• Performs accurate and consistent documentation and measurement tasks to include visual fields, pachymetry, auto-refraction, corneal topography, automatic lensometery, visual acuity, extra-ocular motility, refractions, confrontation fields, pupil evaluation and applanation.

Triage

• Determines which patient should be next to be taken from the waiting room and to have testing initiated. Escorts all patients from the waiting room for the data collection. Following testing, advises the patient as to who will see them next and make them comfortable during the visit.
• Maintains a smooth flow of patients to the physicians, altering the test sequence as required.
• Ensures timely and complete handling of medical calls (patient calls).

Administrative

• Cleans and restocks all exam/work up rooms between patients and at the end of the day.
• Opens exam rooms at the beginning of each day and closes them at the end of the day.
• Ensures all equipment is turned off and covered properly at the end of each day.
• Informs person in charge of ordering supplies any time you notice an item running low.
• Fulfills any other office responsibilities, as necessary to insure efficient patient flow and office efficiency.
• Responds easily to routine requests for information.
• Maintains patient confidentiality at all times and communicates with the supervisor regarding procedural changes and concerns.
• Participates in professional development efforts to remain correct.
• Answers telephones as needed.
• Attends staff meetings and in-service programs.
• Obtain lab, culture, MRI, etc reports
• Maintains a clean, safe and prepared work area.
• Trains new employees
• Keeps supervisor informed about efficiency issues, patient satisfaction issues and doctor issues.
• Represents practice at community events, screenings, etc as needed.
• Performs other duties as requested.

Working Conditions

Work in a fast-paced, high traffic, comfort controlled medical office. Interaction with others may be constant and interruptive. Work may be very stressful. Most of public contact involves people needing medical care. Weekend and evening work are required. There is the potential for exposure to communicable diseases, toxic substances and other conditions common to clinic environment.

Requirements

Physical Demands

Requires standing for long periods of time, also stooping, bending and stretching. Occasional lifting is required. Requires manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard and other medical equipment as necessary. Vision should be correctable, and hearing should be sufficient for patient contact and telephone/paging.

Performance Requirements

Possess good written and verbal communication skills. Ability to greet patients and answer the telephone in a professional manner. Must read, understand, follow oral and written instructions. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with physicians, patients, employees and public. Always presents a professional image. Ability to multitask, to do detailed and accurate work. Utilize time management skills. Recognize, evaluate, solve problems and correct errors. Maintain productivity and work independently. Must be flexible and cooperative when situations or job duties change because of practice needs. Some travel is required.