Optometrist Assistant

JOB SUMMARY:  Provides patient care in the office setting. Provides care that meets the psychosocial, physical, and general aspects of care; meets the communication needs of patient and family; provides care that reflects initiative and responsibility indicative of professional expectations, under the supervision of an Optometrist. Maintains regulatory requirements, office policies, procedures, and standards. Communicates with optometrists and team members about patient's clinical condition, including results of diagnostic studies and symptomatology.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides direct patient care under the supervision of an optometrist, evaluates outcomes, consults with other health team members as required. Prepares patient for vision examination; assists in testing for near and far acuity, depth perception, macula integrity, color perception, and visual field, utilizing ocular testing apparatus.
• Ability to assist optometrist and optometry staff with routine examinations and patient treatments. This includes pediatric, adolescent, and geriatric patients and the general patient population.
• Notifies appropriate licensed staff when patient complains of pain.
• Assists patients with frame selection. Adjusts and repairs glasses, modifies contact lenses. Instructs patient in care and use of glasses or contact lenses. Performs patient care responsibilities considering needs specific to the standard of care for patient's age.
• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
• Supports and maintains a culture of safety and quality.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and the skills necessary to provide age-appropriate care to the patients served.
• Medical and surgical asepsis is carried out during treatments and special procedures.
• Ability to position and prep patients for office procedures.
• Communicates appropriately and clearly to co-workers, optometrists, and Office Manager.
• Demonstrates the ability to assist optometrists with procedures and perform services requiring technical and manual skills under the direction of an optometrist.
• Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic and religious/spiritual needs of patients and family.
• Interacts professionally with patient and family and involves patient and family in patient education.
• Maintains infection prevention and control standards for exam/procedure rooms; cleans, disinfects, changes linen, etc.
• Meets current documentation standards and policies.
• Maintains established office policies and procedures, objectives, performance improvement program, safety, environmental and infection prevention, and control standards.
• Maintains a safe, comfortable, and therapeutic environment for patients and families in accordance with office standards.
• Answers telephone calls in a professional manner, directs calls appropriately; refers patient problems to the optometrist; schedules patient appointments and arranges referrals to specialists.
• May performs basic bookkeeping and accounting responsibilities.
• Ensures an adequate stock of supplies. Maintains inventory of materials.
• Assists in cost containment through appropriate ordering and conserving of supplies and equipment.
• Maintains a good working relationship with all staff members of the office.
• Manages and operates equipment safely and correctly. Performs preventive maintenance.
• Demonstrates the ability to be flexible, organized and function under stressful situations.
• Response to the patient is appropriate in emergency or physically distressful situations.
• Performs other duties as assigned within the optometry assistant's scope of practice.

PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Meets dress code standards; appearance is neat and clean.

• Completes annual educational requirements.
• Maintains regulatory requirements.
• Reports to work on time and as scheduled; completes work within designated time.
• Wears identification while on duty, uses computerized punch time system correctly.
• Completes in-services and returns in a timely fashion.
• Attends staff meetings as directed; reads and returns all monthly staff meeting minutes.
• Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner in the community.
• Ensures patient confidentiality.
• Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices.
• Communicates the mission, ethics, and goals of the facility, as well as the focus statement of the department.
• Actively participates in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities.

REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS:

• Successful completion of a Medical Assistant Program or Optometry Assistant Program.
• Certified Medical Assistant through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) preferred
• CPR BLS certification – current and not expired.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

• Able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Bilingual – English/Spanish preferred.
• Other languages preferred.

SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Basic computer knowledge.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS:

For physical demands of position, including vision, hearing, repetitive motion, and environment, see following description. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position without compromising patient care.

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

Requirements

1. Resume (if available).
2. Application/Candidate Profile.
3. Immunization record (showing completion of MMR, HEP B, Flu, Covid-19 Dose (Comirnaty or Spike)
4. PPD documentation within 1 year. (Individuals with a history of a positive PPD must provide a note for their provider indicating they are free of active disease, a blood test or chest x-ray with the last year.)

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