Ophthalmic Technician II, New England Eye Center, Boston

Job Profile Summary 

​This role focuses on providing medical and clinical support services to patients.  In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Ophthalmology duties: Performs, prescribes, and analyzes results for the treatment of illnesses, diseases, injuries, and conditions that are related to the eye. Tasks include vision assessments, eye surgeries and advanced forms of eye disease in patients with significant systemic illness.  A clinical technologist role that has specialized knowledge or skills gained through a combination of vocational education, training, and experience. This role will be most commonly applied to patient care and/or scientific/laboratory jobs.  An experienced level role requiring basic knowledge of job procedures and tools obtained through work experience and requiring vocational or technical education.  Works under moderate supervision, works through problems of a routine nature, but may at times require interpretation or deviation from standard procedures and communicates information that requires some explanation or interpretation.

Job Overview 

This position is responsible for facilitating patient care and flow by performing the preliminary work up of the patient exam including history taking and performing a variety of screenings and diagnostic tests necessary for patient care by following established standards and procedures. This position also assists with the training of new and current technicians.

Job Description 

Minimum Qualifications:

1. High school diploma or equivalent.

2. Certified Ophthalmic Assistant OR Certified Retinal Angiographer.

3. Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification OR Obtain within 3 months of hire.

4. Two (2) years of experience as an Ophthalmic Technician.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Optical Coherence Tomographer (OCT-C).

2. Bilingual.

Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list.  Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

1. Prepares patient for the physician’s evaluation by obtaining patient physical history to include chief complaint, reason for visit, current medications, allergies, past and current ocular and medical history.

2. Performs various screening and tasks as ordered by the physician including, but not limited to, visual acuity, lensometry, refractions, keratometry, pupil evaluation, measurement of eye pressure, drop instillation, etc.

3. Performs and assists with various diagnostic tests and ocular imaging as determined necessary through patient assessment such as Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Visual Fields, Fundus Photo, Topography, IOL master, K5, etc.

4. Performs complex exams including ultrasound testing such as A scans, B scans and UBMs, and electrophysiology testing (ERGs and VEPs)

5. Assists patient with contact lens removal and reinsertion.

6. Prepares patient consent forms and assists physician with in office procedures as needed.

7. Sets up exam rooms by ensuring that they are clean, organized, stocked with necessary medications, supplies, instruments, forms, and patient education materials.

8. Facilitates clinic flow and scribing components of the exam into the Electronic Health Record.

9. Complies with all local, state and federal regulations and laws governing the performance of this position within the Ophthalmology department.

10. Ensures proper cleaning and disinfection of instruments and supplies per hospital and manufacture recommendations, assists with calibration and maintenance of equipment.

11. Assists with some aspects of triaging or emergency calls.

12. Assists with orientating and training of new technicians under the direction of the supervisor.

13. May participate in clinical trials.

Physical Requirements: 

1. Prolonged standing, walking, some bending, stooping, and stretching and moving heavy machinery.

2. Close contact with children, adolescents, elderly, and sensory handicapped patients, with some exposure to blood and hypodermic needles.

Skills & Abilities:

1. Knowledge of eye terminology, anatomy and physiology of the eye.

2. Excellent interpersonal skills necessary to work effectively with patients and understand their needs, and be responsive to elderly and sensory handicapped patients.

3. Ability to work closely and effectively with all disciplinary members of the care team.

4. Excellent communication skills required to effectively explain the exam process to patients and help allay their concerns and apprehensions.

5. Ability to perform work with a high attention to detail.

6. Ability to work in fast-paced, high-volume clinics.

7. Ability to physically assist patients from wheelchairs into exam chairs and escort patients to other floors as needed.

8. Ability to assist the elderly and visually impaired.

9. Experience with computers, Microsoft Office, and scheduling software.