Optometry assistant job description

Alameda Health System is recruiting a full time optometrist. This is a wonderful opportunity for a well-qualified optometrist looking to work in the county of Alameda. The optometrist will work mostly at Eastmont Wellness Center, but may also work at Highland Hospital or Hayward Wellness Center. The clinics are well-equipped, and the optometrist would have assigned support staff. This position reports to the Division Chief of Ophthalmology.

AHS is an integrated public health system that spans 5 facilities, 4 ambulatory sites, and 800 beds providing primary, specialty, and Level 1 Trauma care to the residents of Alameda County. Highland Hospital, our flagship facility, is based in Oakland. We are a safety net system that is proud to serve our surrounding communities with safe, equitable, high quality care. AHS' mission is Caring, Healing, Teaching, Serving All.
This position is right for you if you are:

+ Mission-driven: Committed to access, equity, and justice as it relates to providing excellent health care to the community of patients that AHS serves

+ Flexible: Embraces change, welcomes feedback, and engages in debate towards attaining the best possible result

+ Lifelong learning: Humble and curious in continuing to develop as a clinician and team member

Qualifications:

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities as well as possession of any required licenses or certifications is qualifying.

Required Education: Completion of an accredited Optometry program.

Required Experience: Recent training and/or clinical experience are required for all applicants for appointment; recent clinical experience is defined as having performed at least 200 outpatient activities relevant to outpatient practice prerogatives requested in the preceding two (2) years.

Preferred Experience: Completion of an Optometry residency program.

Required Licenses/Certifications: Licensed as an Optometrist by the California Board of Optometry; Successful completion of an optometry program accredited by the California Board of Optometry; current BLS Certification and Current DEA Registration.

A UHC Optometry Assistant (OA) shows genuine warmth with patients and has the ability to make them feel comfortable in the health center while providing effective and technically competent ophthalmic assistance to both patients and UHC optometrists. The OA assists in examination and treatment of patients under the direction of an optometrist. Primary tasks are to interview patients and obtain chief compliant, ocular and medical histories, perform auto refraction, automated tonometry, lensometry, and ancillary ocular tests as directed by the Optometrist such as color vision tests (Ishiara or Farnsworth), depth perception, visual fields and retinal photos. The optometry OA must also document all findings in the ophthalmic template in the EHR. The OA is also responsible for helping assist patients in the optical area with the fitting, ordering and dispensing of eyeglasses or contact lenses as directed by the Optometrist. The OA will maintain optical boards by making sure that glasses are restocked and accounted for in the electronic program. The OA provides or facilitates the provision of information needed by both patients and clinicians. Furthermore, they ensure a smooth and well-connected patient flow with the Optometrist as well as in the optical department registering patients.

The OA must ensure complete and accurate information of all patient encounters and charge information. The OA must provide complete, accurate, and timely posting of all patient encounter data, procedures, diagnosis, demographics, and payment collection data. Lastly, the OA must audit and verify information from the data entry document with existing information in the patient database.
Works closely with the Health Center Manager and other members of the clinic management team to:

+ Provide prompt medical support; promote a smooth patient flow; collect and record data accurately; maintain order of exam rooms, equipment and ophthalmic supplies

+ Provide basic education and information to patients, making sure patients' questions are answered and anxieties alleviated and interfaces with community-oriented activities and staff

+ Achieve the organizational mission to provide health care access for all the members of the community as well as help make sure patients and families get the care they need when they need it.

+ Consistently and openly communicate with supervisor and all staff.

+ Work flexible or extended hours when necessary and requested.

+ Participate in health center in-services and meeting, listening and respecting others' ideas.

+ Abide by Rules of Confidentiality of patient information.

EDUCATION

+ High School graduate or GED.

+ Optometric Assistant certification or one (1) year recent prior experience in optometry or ophthalmology field.

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION

+ Possess a valid driver's license

+ Valid lifesaving certification (CPR, BLS, etc.)

PRIOR EXPERIENCE:

+ Minimum 1 years of recent experience in a healthcare setting, preferably in an ambulatory care setting

SKILLS

+ Bilingual preferred (English/Spanish)

+ Able to quickly build and maintain rapport with patients and providers of differing backgrounds; team player

+ Customer-service oriented

+ Strong computer skills

+ Familiar with adult learning and general training techniques

+ Positive professional insight

+ Flexibility and dependability

+ Demonstrated good problem-solving skills; sound judgment

+ Effective leadership/supervisory skills

+ Modern office practices and procedures including email

+ Intermediate computer skills

+ Attention to detail and excellent follow-through on work tasks

+ Able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

+ Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds and push up to 50 pounds (on wheels).

+ Must be able to hear staff on the phone and those who are served in-person, and speak clearly in order to communicate information to patients and staff.

+ Must be able to read memos, computer screens, personnel forms and clinical and administrative documents.

+ Must have high manual dexterity.

+ Must be able to reach above the shoulder level to work, must be able to bend, squat and sit, stand, stoop, crouch, reach, kneel, twist/turn.

ID: 2022-2884

Street: 429 Manning Ave

Job DescriptionTo assist and support doctors of optometry in a collaborative relationship to provide patients with optimum levels of general optometric care. Under the direct supervision of the doctor, will provide technical and support assistance to improve the efficacy and efficiency of the doctors of optometry.
Essential Responsibilities:




Accurately record patients medical and visual history, review and prepare other clinical information (PST, Medicare refresh, etc.) for doctor(s). Take and record patient vitals when indicated in EMR. Perform appropriate pre-testing, such as but not limited to assessing gross visual skills, extraocular muscle action and pupillary reflexes. Perform OCT, Visual Fields and Diabetic Photos. Maintain accurate records and reports as instructed by the doctor. Instill eye-drops when ordered by the doctor. Assist in therapeutic procedures such as foreign body removal.
Receive and process phone calls and other patient communication, from patients, assess the nature of the situation and manage triage accordingly. Manage all aspects of doctor(s) schedule, including booking appointments.
Maintain diagnostic and therapeutic instruments and equipment to insure that they are clean and accurate. Assess condition of instruments and arrange for repair and/or recalibration as necessary. Maintain instruments and medications for ophthalmic therapeutics; insure that instruments and medications are available and sterile.
Respond to patient concerns and resolve or forward them to the proper person or area for resolution.
Coordinate patient optometric care with optical dispensing, membership services, family practice, ophthalmology, pharmacy and other KP departments and services.
Follow all KP policies, procedures, and behavior guidelines and standards for the treatment of members and confidentiality of their care. Perform other duties as assigned.




Basic Qualifications:


Experience



Minimum two (2) years of previous full-time employment functioning in an optometric or ophthalmic practice under the supervision of an optometrist or ophthalmologist, and/or successful completion of a JCAHPO accredited ophthalmic medical technology program required, OR one (1) year in a back office provider support role in health care with on the job training in KPs Optometry training program (when available).





Education



High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED) required.





License, Certification, Registration



Paraoptometric Technician Certificate within 24 months of hire from American Optometric Association OR Paraoptometric Assistant Certificate within 24 months of hire from American Optometric Association OR Ophthalmic Assistant Certificate within 24 months of hire from The Joint Commission on Allied Health Personel in Opthomology OR Ophthalmic Technician Certificate within 24 months of hire from The Joint Commission on Allied Health Personel in Opthomology





Registered Medical Assistant (Washington) within 2 months of hire






Additional Requirements:




Demonstrated experience and competence with ophthalmic instruments, including: auto-refractor, auto-lensometer, non-contact tonometer, Titmus vision tester, Snellen chart, visual acuity projector, and visual field testing equipment.
Demonstrated proficiency in use of instruments and equipment for preliminary testing, ancillary testing and in the application of eye-drops.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Ability to function effectively in a professional environment within a managed practice organization. Familiarity with optometric and optical terminology.
Familiarity with optometric instruments and equipment.






Preferred Qualifications:




Three (3) years of previous experience in optometric or other ophthalmic practice.
Basic knowledge of Kaiser Permanente policies, procedures and philosophy and culture.
Thorough knowledge of basic science and optics, familiarity with optometric and/or ophthalmic procedures related to preliminary testing.
Basic knowledge of instillation of optometric diagnostic and therapeutic pharmaceuticals as applied to the practice of optometry.
Working knowledge of HealthConnect.




Note:



This is an On-call position for these sites: Beaverton, Tanasbourne, Sunset. 100% travel.



Job Schedule:


Job Category:
Clinical Support