Ophthalmic Technician Assistant (Ophthalmology)

With close supervision and instruction, we are seeking an Ophthalmic Technician Assistant who will learn to assist the Ophthalmologist with patient care by performing ophthalmic testing as outlined below. Working with faculty, Clinic Manager and Clinic Supervisor, this position’s primary role is to provide technician/clinical support to physicians. Secondary responsibilities include administrative duties such as responding to In-Basket messages from patients to answer questions., refill prescriptions after doctor verification, helps complete forms (i.e. MVA) and involves physicians as needed if patients’ questions require medical advice.

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, https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/wilmer/education/clinical-training/ophthalmic_technician.html

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Asks every single patient to state their name and date of birth before performing any of testing regardless of how many times the patient has been seen before. Compares the patient’s EMRN to the number on the testing machine.
• Records patient history including chief complaint, information on ocular history, past surgeries, medical condition, medications taken, allergies, learning assessment, falls risk and family history.
• Checks pupil response to light by shining light into eye and watching speed with which pupils constrict; checks for afferent pupillary defect.
• Measures and records distance and near visual acuity.
• Measures and records intraocular pressure using applanation tonometry.
• Performs various ophthalmic testing as ordered by the physician.
• Screens for presence of ocular motility disorders.
• Uses slit lamp to examine eye surface.
• Performs basic maintenance or repair of clinical equipment.
• Compiles and enters data for clinical studies; may participate in other clinical research projects as needed.

Assists with in office procedures.

• Responsible for exam room supply maintenance.
• Ensures medication expiration dates are current.
• Responsible for maintaining and ordering instruments.
• Disinfects and maintains examination rooms.
• Understands and practices the fundamentals of microbial control.
• Maintains refrigerator logs and sharps containers.
• Is familiar with JCAHO requirements and ensures clinic practice is compliant with regulations.

Non -clinical duties

• Processes refill requests.
• Instills eye drops under physicians’ direction.
• Assists with obtaining prior authorizations for upcoming in office procedures.
• Provides support to front desk staff by offering triaging help for appointment scheduling.
• Responds to patients’ questions and explains technician related concerns to front desk staff.
• Monitors inventory and orders medications for intravitreal injections.
• Provides input on templates/schedules to maximize patient flow and physician efficiency.
• Maintains general medical knowledge of ocular anatomy and physiology, systemic diseases, ocular diseases and ocular emergencies.
• Maintains required (COA) ophthalmic technician certifications.
• Other duties as assigned.

• High School Diploma or graduation equivalent.
• Must obtain Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) from Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO) within 18 months of start date.
• CPR certification also required.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

• Prior experience in a clinical office setting as an ophthalmic technician.

Classified Title: Ophthalmic Technician Assistant  
Role/Level/Range: ACRO40/E/02/CD  
Starting Salary Range: $17.65 - $31.05 HRLY ($18.41 starting pay; 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: SOM Oph Retina Service   
Personnel area: School of Medicine