Job Title

GENERAL DESCRIPTION The Ophthalmic Assistant is selected by and is responsible to the Clinical Operations Director. Under general supervision, the Ophthalmic Assistant provides extensive technical support to the Center providers and staff. The Ophthalmic Assistant takes accurate and complete patient histories, perform initial vision screenings and selected parts of the visual examination including refractions. Assist Physicians in performing their jobs. Be courteous and conscientious at all times and demonstrate an attitude of caring about the patients. An Ophthalmic Assistant functions as a member of a collaborative health care team to create and maintain a Patient Centered Medical Home where emphasis is on excellent communication; support of the patient is provided and tracked in a culturally competent, behaviorally enhanced setting supported by information technology. Due to the nature of NHHC services, it may become necessary to require employees to work extended hours or other variations of the usual shift to ensure adequate care of patients and to maintain services to the community. CRITICAL JOB ELEMENTS / PERFORMANCE STANDARDS Tech must greet employees, customers, patients and public in person or over the telephone in a courteous manner. Tech use good listening skills at all times. Demonstrate positive attitude towards patients with good eye contact, pleasant voice, attentive and responsive to their needs. Follows up continuity of care and Patient Portal requests for all lab work done and ensures open communication regarding patient status with providers and care team. Must abide by dress code policy to maintain a professional and neat appearance. (For details see the Dress Code policy). Abides by the regulations, protocols and policies as indicated in the NHHC Employee Handbook, Code of Conduct, and Safety Policies. Must always maintain confidentiality according to Center policies and HIPAA rules. It is mandatory that the employee actively participates in Performance Improvement (PI). Promotes the NHHC mission statement. Basic Level: (Entry Level Tech) Read and study the Certified Ophthalmic Assistant Home Study Course. Learn the anatomy and physiology of the eye, terminology, and abbreviations used by the office and physicians in the medical record including common eye diseases. Be familiar with equipment and supplies in every exam room in the office. Know how to set up, clean and maintain them and how they are used. Keep rooms cleaned and stocked with supplies, (re-stocking no less than once per week, preferably twice per week) including A-Scan, laser rooms. Open rooms properly in the morning and close rooms properly at end of day. Have them clean and ready for use on the following day. Follow physicians and assist them during exams of patients, including being able to document in the Electronic Health Records (EHR) about the eye exam, and assist the Physician so that he/she can work efficiently. Tech needs to be able to assist physicians with preparing patients for exams (in chair), translating, scribing in EHR, and filling out forms. Assist in moving patients from waiting room to exam rooms and between exam rooms and testing rooms etc. (Special care for elderly and visually disabled patients.) (Special care for elderly and visually disabled patients.) Be able to measure patients' glasses with automated lensometer accurately. Be familiar with and be able to perform RK 2 and keratometry on patients, (recording the information in the EHR correctly) using the automated keratometers. Be familiar with common eye disorders, diagnosis and general treatment options so that you can discuss them intelligently with patients. Must understand basic eye anatomy, terminology and medical abbreviations. Be able to dilate patient's eyes with the proper drops. Be familiar with all the common drops that are used in the office and the differences between them (atropine vs. mydriacyl for instance). ?Must know when to use which drop for each patient (children vs adults). Be able to provide brochures or informational materials on common eye problems when they are indicated or requested. Document education given in the patient's EHR record. Provide patients with samples of appropriate eye drops. Understand the layout of the EHR, where items belong in the record, and the proper way to document in the EHR. When scribing, the tech needs to learn where exam equipment belongs (ex: Bleb, secondary cataract). Be able to perform Visual Fields and OCT and import them into the patient's EHR record. XXIII. Understand the OSHA requirements and comply with them as they apply to your daily job. Take online training courses and tests. Understand HIPAA rules and regulations. Take online training courses and test and read manual. Know how to use the tonopen and icare to measure a patient's IOP. Perform other tasks as requested by Supervisor, Practice Administrator or Physicians. Utilize any spare time in work- related activities which contribute to the practice. Intermediate Level: (Includes all of the above) XXIX. Know how to properly Screen Patients (a minimum of 3-4 patients per hour, consistently) (which includes the following): a. Take accurate and pertinent histories on all patients that you screen. This includes family history and all past ocular and medical history. Verify allergies and all medications. Add those missing and remove all medications patient is no longer taking. Please refer to procedure manual and home study course book for details about history taking. Know what a chief complaint is and how to document the history of present illness (HPI) accurately. b. Review previous physician notes regarding patient diagnosis and treatments that c. were initiated. Also, follow up on tests or subspecialty clinic referrals as part of the history.?Determine if the patient wants an Rx for glasses, or if patient needs ·an Rx for a refill on their eye drops and document. c. Dilate patients after a slit lamp exam to assess for narrow angles before seen by the physician when appropriate. d. Be certain to fill out a chief complaint on every patient on every visit, but do not state that the chief complaint is "for CEE "or for "annual eye exam" when the patient has other valid eye related complaints (except when here under a vision plan covering routine eye exams). Know how to determine the patient's "chief complaint" and in what order to list them. e. Review eye medications that the patient is using or should be using. Place these medications on the table for the physician to check. Document any noncompliance with eye medications. f. Check vision with correction at distance (and near when appropriate). g. Know how to check and record ocular motility. h. Know how to check and record pupillary exam including the presence or absence of a Marcus Gunn pupil. i. Know how to perform and record confrontation visual field exam. j. Know how to perform a screening slit lamp exam and check IOP accurately. k. Discuss options with patient relating to options for bifocals when they are presbyopic. Be able to handle patient calls and telephone triage. Document all patient calls in the patient's EHR medical record. Route important calls to the appropriate physician. Be able to perform and import visual fields and OCT and code them properly in the EHR. Know how to set up A-Scans and how to assist the Physician with these tests. Scan them into correct place in the EHR. Know how to properly schedule and clear a patient for surgery, laser, or other in office procedures, including consent forms. Be able to explain common eye diagnosis and treatment plans to the patients under Physician supervision. When evaluating cataract and Yag patients, be certain to follow these guidelines: a. Be sure history and eye exam are documented correctly including visual complaints of daily living. Use pre-op checklist as well. b. Obtain "K" readings and assist Physician with A-Scan. c. Schedule patients for surgery (review check-list) and be certain it is accurate and complete. d. Review consent and surgery forms with patients on day history and physical is performed and have patient sign it, date it and witness it. e. Learn how to fill out pre-op order forms and consents for surgery for hospital or out patient surgery center correctly and accurately every time! Know how to perform emergency eye irrigation. Be able to set up and assist physicians with laser procedures. Keep supplies stocked; Order supplies as needed through appropriate office procedures. Advanced Level: (Includes all of the above) Be able to perform accurate and reproducible Refractions and be able to perform retinoscopy accurately. Understand the basics of refraction and prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses. Familiarize yourself with the compliance plan for the clinic. Understand the basics of coding and the requirements needed to stay compliant with State and Federal laws. Must be Certified Ophthalmic Assistant. Understand HIPAA compliance rules. More Advanced Level: (Includes all of the above) Must be a Certified Ophthalmic Technician, and/or. Must be a Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist. JOB SPECIFICATIONS Education/Experience: * High School graduate or equivalent. * Interest in pursuing Ophthalmic Assistant Registration/Certification * One to two years' experience working in a medical setting, or a similar setting/position preferred.(e.g. Medical Assistant) * Must have a Texas Driver's license and reliable transportation Physical Demands: * Must be able to stand for long periods of time * Must be able to write/type/ use mouse * Must have manual dexterity to work with ophthalmic equipment * Must be able to communicate via phone * Must be able to read and write and view and type on computer while the lights are off. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: * Ability to communicate and understand instructions from providers, patients and staff; limited medical terminology and concepts to maintain accurate records. * Ability to establish and carry out specific courses of action. * Ability to take corrective action in solving problems, to identify dimensions of a problem, determines potential causes and specifies alternative solutions. * Ability to adapt and maintain a helpful, pleasant, customer friendly service to patients, fellow workers and the general public. * Ability to conform to established Center's Policies and Procedures. * Ability to maintain a mature attitude when dealing with interpersonal conflicts, disruptions and time demands. * Ability to function appropriately in emergency situations and relate to patients and their families. * Empathetic personality - pay attention to patient's needs and concerns. * Ability to work in a busy atmosphere. * Team player - must work as a team to meet the needs of the patient and practice. It should never be "that isn't my job". * Computer literate. * Ability to take constructive criticism and to improve performance. * Willingness to learn new jobs and to expand fund of knowledge. * Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of accuracy in your work. * Understand the importance of assisting the Physicians and other staff in performing their work promptly and professionally. * Understand the importance of following procedures and of insuring patient satisfaction. * Maintain patient confidentiality. * Willingness to help in all areas and understand the need for efficient use of time. Special Requirements: * Must have current basic CPR certification through the American Heart Association