Job Summary:

The Ophthalmic Medical Assistant will help the Ophthalmologist in the diagnostic testing, examination, education, and treatment of patients.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Escorts patients to examining rooms, takes detailed medical histories, and determines the reason for the visit. Checks patients pupils, muscle, visual acuity, extraocular movements, and measures blood pressure when indicated.
• Presents patient history summary and alerts Ophthalmologist to changes in visual acuity, elevated extraocular pressure or blood pressure, etc. Annotates patient charts with exam and treatment results.
• Assists with office procedures including RK surgery, chalazion excision and tear duct probes.
• Schedules surgeries, calling surgical center, verifying times with patients, and preparing charts, pre-admission and consent forms. Schedules patients with other doctors for consultation as required. Counsels patients in the office and on the phone concerning physician's orders, use of drops, contact lenses, drugs, and answers questions concerning surgery.
• Orders contact lenses, writes prescriptions, and approves drug refills under physician's instructions.
• Maintains knowledge of ICD-9 diagnostic coding and CPT procedures codes and third-party reimbursement billing requirements. Maintains knowledge of operation and maintenance of clinical equipment, drugs, and supplies.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Must be able to operate accurately the following equipment:
  • Lensometer
  • A-scan
  • Potential acuity meter
  • Humphrey visual field machine
  • Automated tonometer machine
  • Brightness acuity test machine
  • Auto refractor
  • Keratometer
  • Phoropter
  • Mattox wing
  • Tonopen
  • Statim sterilizer
  • Projector
  • Slit lamp

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma (or GED) plus by a two-year program including courses in ocular anatomy and physiology, ophthalmic optics, ophthalmic pharmacology and toxicology, ocular motility, and diseases of the eye.
• Training in diagnostic and treatment procedures including visual field testing, contact lenses, and ophthalmic surgery.
• Certification by Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO).

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Prolonged periods of periods of standing and bending.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.