OPHTHALMIC ASSISTANT

Come join an organization dedicated to serving their community and delivering excellent eye care. Brenart Eye Clinic, established in 1978, has become one of Illinois’ largest multidisciplinary clinics and has helped tens of thousands of patients see and feel better with services including comprehensive eye exams, medical eye exams, contact lens evaluations, dry eye treatment, vision therapy, myopia management, and more.

SUMMARY:

Escorts patients into the exam room, gathers important medical information and performs visual screening prior to Physicians visit with patients. Does testing as prescribed by a physician. Acts as the patient advocate and expresses a caring attitude while performing the tasks required with accuracy and efficiency.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Reports directly to the Department Manager.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Requires prolonged standing, walking, some bending, stooping and stretching. Requires excellent communication skills and a keen understanding of patients with sensory impairment.

DUTIES:

Greets patients and introduces themselves prior to the eye exam.
Explains to patient what the patient should expect from the technician’s work up and from the OD.
Completes a detailed patient history which includes past medical history (systemic and ocular), family medical history (systemic and ocular) medication history (systemic and ocular) and the chief complaint (the reason for the visit).
Checks patients uncorrected (when applicable) and corrected visual acuity for every encounter.
Neutralizes eyeglasses by either manual lensometry or automated lensometry.
Coordinate patient flow for assigned physicians.
Reviews charts in the morning and communicates effectively with physicians regarding patient care and additional testing.
Ensures that the patient’s chart is updated in a timely fashion and includes correct/updated PCP information.
Opens and closes examination rooms appropriately.
Responsible for care, maintenance, and stocking of assigned room(s).
Attends required staff and educational meetings as requested.
Maintains strictest confidentiality (HIPAA).
Helps maintain inventory and stock of medical supplies, patient coupons and patient information pamphlets.
Follows all established safety procedures and precautions when operating office equipment.
Ensures appropriate supplies/equipment is functional for patient care according to office policy and procedures.
Aids in all other areas in office when completion of above responsibilities permits to ensure smooth operation of the practice.
Assists in maintaining the back office in a clean and safe manner.
Accepts and completes other related duties as assigned.

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Working knowledge of basic anatomy and physiology of the eye. Excellent communication skills are important.

ADDITIONAL NOTES AND CONSIDERATIONS:

Providing patient care can be a difficult task in areas where there is high demand. When things start to get hectic, it is important for ophthalmic personnel to express genuine compassion for others and a willingness to help in any way possible.

Other attributes that are important for the Ophthalmic Technician role include the ability to actively listen and speak well, critical thinking skills, a capacity to make informed decisions, oral and written comprehension, empathy, willingness to work with others, willingness to learn, and reliability.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Need to be on one’s feet for an 8-12-hour day, including bending, reaching, and multiple uses of the staircase to retrieve supplies, utilize the lunchroom, and enter/depart the building.
May need to assist patients in wheelchair transfers as needed.
Must be available to work 4-5 days/week, 35-40 hours/week for full-time status. Part-time applicants will be considered as well.

Please note: This description is intended to provide only basic guidelines for meeting job requirements. Responsibilities, knowledge, skills, abilities and working conditions may change as needs evolve.