Ophthalmic Technician

Position Title

Ophthalmic Technician

Assists the provider in all fields of clinical care, including the maintenance of ophthalmological equipment, patient testing, surgery, and supports diagnostic testing, providing basic imaging and patient care.

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Must have completed a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) or Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT) training program.

• Must have two (2) years of relevant Ophthalmology experience.

Must be certified in Ophthalmology by the Joint Commission Allied Health Personnel (JCAHPO) upon hire.

• Current incumbents in the role as of August 1, 2023 must obtain their Ophthalmology certification by August 31, 2024.

Must have current healthcare provider BLS for Healthcare Providers certification from one of the following:

• American Heart Association
• American Red Cross
• Military Training Network
• Current incumbents in the role as of August 1, 2023 must obtain a health care provider BLS for Healthcare Providers certification no later than October 30, 2023.

• Communicate effectively with patients, hospital staff, and the general public.
• Interact with co‑workers and patients to expedite and organize patient care.
• Ensure appropriate staff assignments to cover multiple providers and their individual needs.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of ocular screening devices and photography devices.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of ocular surgical instruments and reconstructive surgeries performed on patients.
• Meet age‑related and handicapped patients' needs.
• Provide ocular screening for all types of Ophthalmology patients.
• Possess basic knowledge of ophthalmic photography equipment and related IT media.
• Understand ophthalmic diseases.
• Fulfill Super User responsibilities.
• Coordinate training of new Ophthalmic Assistants.

• Conduct patient work‑ups (e.g., manifest refraction, applanation with tono‑pen and dilation, evaluation of pupils, retina scan) to assist the provider in patient assessment.
• Test patients for Goldmann visual fields to assess disease development.
• Test patients for Humphrey visual fields to assess glaucoma progression.
• Test patients using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) when needed.
• Make initial contact with patients, providing ocular evaluations (e.g., visual acuity, automatic refractions, lensometry) to assist the provider in patient assessment.
• Prepare and handle instruments for minor surgery.
• Instruct patients on contact lens care and handling (insertion and removal) to ensure proper patient care and safety.
• Gather information and lab reports for physicians to expedite patient exams.
• Clean and restock lanes (inventory supplies) and report depleted supplies to ensure sufficient supplies.
• Maintain equipment inventory to avoid shortages.
• Attend in‑services and continuing education clinics to ensure ongoing certification and integrate knowledge into practice.
• Administer unit dose medications under the direction of a delegating physician following department policies and procedures after completing competencies and signing the Physician‑Unit Based Medication Administration Delegation form.
• Identify and analyze the design of jobs, work processes, and workflows for assigned areas.
• Modify approach, communication, and interaction to account for sensory impairments and specific needs of all patients, especially older adults.
• Recommend changes to improve effectiveness, productivity, and efficiency that support the department’s and Parkland’s overall goals.
• Maintain or coordinate maintenance for all photo equipment (photographic equipment, scopes, lasers, etc.) to ensure proper working conditions.
• Identify ways to improve work processes and customer satisfaction (internal & external). Make recommendations to supervisors, implement, and monitor results to support Parkland’s overall goals and mission.
• Maintain positive working relationships with patients, medical staff, clinic staff, management, internal customers, and vendors to facilitate cooperative interaction.
• Assist as needed in daily clinical operations, including patient work‑ups, history, assessments, patient discharge, minor surgical procedures, etc., to ensure clinic effectiveness and efficiency.
• Complete duties such as daily merge reports, referrals, budget requests, training objectives, etc., as assigned.
• Serve on various committees as assigned.

Entry level

Full‑time

Health Care Provider

Hospitals and Health Care