Optometry Technician

Roane General Hospital

Job Description

Job Title: Optometry Technician

Department: Rural Health Clinic

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Summary of Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the general supervision of the team leader and optometrist; provide ophthalmic assistance to the optometrist while providing patient care. Perform an extensive number of data collection functions delegated by the optometrist to allow for proper medical and professional diagnosis of patients. Function as a scribe during optometric visits.

• Inform patients of the purpose of all tests personally performed and how they will be affected during the tests.
• Obtain and record patient’s chief complaint and complete ocular and medical history.
• Instill eye drops and any other medication as prescribed by physician.
• Perform accurate and consistent documentation and measurement tasks to include: Visual Acuity, ARAK, Lensometry, Confrontational fields, evaluation of Motility, Pupillary Function Tests, IOP check (by Tonopen and Applanation), Optos, Visual Fields, VSP Measurements, BAT, Pachymetry, Corneal Topography, HRT, PAM, OCT, Anterior Segment Photography, Specular Microscopy, Stereo testing, Color Vision testing, and Refracting (both manually and on the Epic). Other tasks specific to the physician’s needs as a result of new technologies.
• Prepare for and assist in minor procedures as directed by the optometrist.
• Apply and remove eye dressings and protective shields as directed by the physician, including dispensing necessary drugs.
• Proficient in proper documentation in electronic medical record (EMR).
• Accurate documentation and summarization of patient’s ocular examination, assessment, and plan including follow-up care in EMR as dictated by the physician. Familiar with ICD10, CPT and billing codes and protocols to insure appropriate billing for services and procedures.
• Participate in ongoing professional development and competency assessment. Includes, but not limited to: educational events appropriate to position development, communicates additional training needs to direct manager, attends staff meetings and orients new staff, cross-trains for position in assigned or other areas.
• Working knowledge of eye terminology, anatomy, pathologies, and ocular pharmacology.
• Carries out job responsibilities in an ethical, effective, and professional manner. Reports potential compliance issues to direct manager. Model ethical appropriate behavior, professional standards, compliance, and personal integrity. Understands and complies with policies and procedures, applicable rules, regulations, etc.
• Ensure daily cleaning and stocking of each exam room with necessary supplies as directed by the manager.
• Maintains a clean, safe and orderly environment for patients, patient’s family and clinical personnel. Includes, but not limited to: maintaining supplies, equipment and forms, notifying appropriate personnel when cleaning and repair of equipment is needed, following infection control policies, patient safety and facility safety.
• Provide telephone support regarding ocular emergencies, patient care questions, and pharmacy refills as directed by manager.
• Assumes responsibility for good working relationships, contributing to overall good morale, attitude and actions.
• Shows support in training less experienced technicians as directed by manager.
• Practices with high regard to infection control standards and compliance.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to complete each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:

High school diploma or general education degree (GED)

Valid Basic Life Support (BLS) Card

Knowledge of medical terminology and optometry procedures

Computer literacy

Other certifications of benefit but not required

Customer Service: Supports and upholds the Organization’s philosophy of customer service. Takes an active role in customer service issues as necessary.

Quality: Maintains a safe and efficient work environment. Maintains the confidentiality of patient, employee and corporate information. Promptly follow up with appropriate parties to effectively resolve problems.

Teamwork: Works effectively and cooperatively in groups/teams to continuously improve the process within which he/she works. Attends and participates at departmental team meetings, work-groups and other hospital educational programs. Accommodates and supports the changes required to meet departmental and organizational goals and customer needs. Assists and participates in initiating, developing and implementing change to activities required to meet departmental and organizational goals and customer needs. Assists staff to enhance leadership skills, resolve conflict and promote problem solving. Encourages staff to function as a team with free exchange of ideas within the group.

Communication and Interpersonal Relationships: Exhibits a professional and pleasant demeanor when dealing with staff and other hospital customers.

Personal Development: Attends external seminars for personal growth and development and shares pertinent information with other team members. Assures staff, including self, completion of mandatory education. Demonstrates willingness to utilize appropriate resources as questions and changes arise.

Language Skills: Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to use proper grammar, punctuation, and style in written communication.

Mathematical Skills: Ability to add and subtract two-digit numbers and to multiply and divide. Ability to perform these operations using units of money and weight measure, volume, and distance.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with situations where only limited, standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to understand diverse accents and dialects.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, climb, or balance, and taste or smell. The employee must regularly list and/or move up to 100 pounds with assistance. Specific visual abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes, or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee will ride in an ambulance routinely or drive an ambulance routinely in all types of weather with road conditions dependent thereof.

Safety Policies & Procedures: The employee in this job must be knowledgeable about and follow the hospital and safety policies and procedures as described in the Hospital safety manual.

The employee will instill a culture of quality and patient safety by being familiar with and observing patient centeredness and patient safety in all aspects of job duties.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person