Ophthalmic Technician; Ophthalmology

Overview

Instills eye drops under physicians' direction. Working with faculty, Clinic Manager and Clinic Supervisor, we are seeking an Ophthalmic Technician whose primary role is to provide technician/clinical support to physicians. Secondary responsibilities include limited administrative duties such as responding to messages from patients and physicians and assisting with patient requests for refills, forms completion and prior authorizations. The Wilmer Eye Institute of Johns Hopkins University has an exciting opportunity to train for a career as an Ophthalmic Technician;

no experience required. This program offers a strong foundation to pursue a variety of career paths beyond Ophthalmic Technician and provides clinical experience for pre-med students during gap years or before applying to medical school. No evening or weekend work required.

Note: The following are categorized as Clinical and Non-Clinical duties. Text has been preserved from the original description while converting formatting to the allowed structure. Content remains the same.

• Clinical
  • Records patient history including chief complaint, ocular history, past surgeries, medical condition, medications taken, allergies, learning assessment, falls risk and family history.
  • Checks pupil response to light by shining light into eye and watching the speed of pupil constriction; checks for afferent pupillary defect.
  • Measures central visual field using Amsler Grid.
  • Instills eye drops under physicians' direction.
  • Measures and records distance and near visual acuity.
  • Measures and records intraocular pressure using applanation tonometry (i.e. Goldman tonometer), pneumatic tonometry, or Schiotz-type indentation tonometer.
  • Performs Humphrey visual field testing; refers patients for further testing where appropriate.
  • Performs OCTs.
  • Performs IOL Master measurements to prepare patients for cataract surgery.
  • Performs Pentacam measurements.
  • Performs accurate refractions.
  • Tests color vision and depth perception (stereopsis).
  • Screens for presence of ocular motility disorders.
  • Uses slit lamp to examine eye surface.
  • Performs special testing such as Bright field Acuity Testing, Potential Acuity Meter, and pachymetry.
  • Performs basic maintenance or repair of clinical equipment.
  • Compiles and enters data for clinical studies; may participate in other clinical research projects.
  • Teaches patients how to insert and remove contact lenses correctly, and proper handling techniques.
  • Performs ultrasound scans by measuring the axial length of the eye using various A-Scan ultrasound units, recognizing difficult scans and adjusting the unit as needed in patients with high myopia, high hyperopia, poor fixation, nystagmus, retinal detachments, corneal problems, or intraocular lenses in place.
  • Performs accurate keratometry readings adjusting keratometer reading if unobtainable.
  • Calculates intraocular lens power using various formulas to fit patient needs, either manually or by computer.
  • Takes fundus photos as needed.
  • Assist with in-office procedures.
  • Responsible for exam room supply maintenance.
  • Ensure medication expiration dates are current.
  • Responsible for maintaining and sterilization of instruments.
  • Disinfect and maintain examination rooms.
  • Understand and practice the fundamentals of microbial control.
  • Maintains refrigerator logs, sharps container, etc.
• Non-Clinical
  • Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:
  • Review and respond to patient questions, Epic in-basket messages, and route in-basket messages to physicians as needed.
  • Process patients' medication refill requests.
  • Assist with obtaining authorizations from insurers for medications and upcoming in-office procedures.
  • Provide support to front desk staff by assisting in triage scheduled appointments, respond to patients' clinical questions and explain technician-related concerns to front desk staff.
  • Manage and order medications for intravitreal injections.
  • Assist with tracking and processing of forms (e.g., MVA, disability, FMLA).
  • Provide input on templates/schedules to maximize patient flow and physician efficiency.
  • Maintain general medical knowledge of ocular anatomy and physiology, systemic…