At Houston Methodist, the Ophthalmic Assistant (OA) is responsible for providing the highest quality customer service in assisting the physician and other technical support personnel with patient examination and treatment. Other duties for this position include patient history, office and inpatient diagnostic tests, in-office procedures as well as some clerical duties. The OA position independently and expertly performing the duties and responsibilities of clinical resource to other OAs, training and orienting others as appropriate. This position delivers exceptional patient care per guidelines established by the department to ensure optimal patient safety and customer service and practices Patient and Family-Centered Care.

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Utilizes courteous and professional interpersonal skills to establish and maintain rapport with patients, physicians/office personnel and various hospital personnel, while maintaining patient confidentiality. Facilitates open, professional, communication to achieve mutual understanding, role modeling by example.

• Functions as a team member, responding willingly and positively to colleagues' needs for assistance and partnership and promotes a positive work environment that actively assists interprofessional care team to achieve optimal department results. Makes contributions to the work effort, by initiating problem resolution within the work unit.

• Provides contributions towards improvement of department scores for turnover/retention/employee engagement, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Screens walk-in patients, emergency patients and triages telephone calls from patients and referring physicians to determine appropriate physician and priority of appointments.

• Directs the flow of patients examined by the physician; obtains medical and personal data for patient charts; alleviates patient and family concerns by explaining diagnostic procedures and method of treatment.

• Performs preliminary screening examinations, excluding ocular, for physician review including, but not limited to, central and peripheral visual field tests; ocular motility tests; color vision tests; pharmacological pupil tests; tonometry, tonography and tensilon tonography tests to determine intraocular pressure and pupil testing for size, equality and reaction prior to dilation.

• Screens patients for conditions by examining the cornea, lens and anterior chamber of the eye using a slit lamp and notes variations from normal for physician review.

• Arranges for laboratory and other tests, ophthalmic photography, inpatient and outpatient studies and patient admissions and surgery as requested by physician.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Measures acuity of patient, with and without glasses, for distance and near vision; obtains optical and lensometry measurements to determine lens prescription and correct acuity problems; records findings on patient chart.

• Reports observations, conditions and problems of patients to the physician and/or nurse. Provides for the privacy of patients and families, keeping the safety of the patient in mind.

• Cleans and disinfects instruments, equipment and patient service areas.

• Role models behaviors and skills, through peer-to-peer accountability, towards improving department score for patient satisfaction.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, minimizing incidental overtime. Role models effective time management and coordinates with colleagues to meet the overall demands of the department.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assists the physician in the preparation of routine microbiological specimens and in various research studies. Continually assists with improving skills, performance and outcomes. Actively participates in professional development and the development of ongoing educational activities at a department-based level.

• Offers innovative solutions through participation in performance improvement activities. Completes and updates the individual development plan (IDP) on an on-going basis.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Two years as an Ophthalmic Assistant

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• COA - Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (IJCAHPO) within 1 year OR

• COT - Certified Ophthalmic Technician (IJCAHPO) within 1 year

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Demonstrate a learning attitude toward solving problems, using good reasoning and judgment

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No

• Scrubs Yes

• Business professional No

• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*

*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL

Travel specifications may vary by department

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes

• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area Yes

Company Profile:

Houston Methodist Specialty Physician Group is an integral part of Houston Methodist’s overall strategy to become one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers. Established as a nonprofit corporation certified by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners, the Specialty Physician Group enables physicians to maintain autonomy with respect to clinical practice while growing their practice within an academic environment.

Houston Methodist is an equal opportunity employer inclusive of women, minorities, disabled persons and veterans.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Equal employment opportunity is a sound and just concept to which Houston Methodist is firmly bound. Houston Methodist will not engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with Houston Methodist on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law. VEVRAA Federal Contractor – priority referral Protected Veterans requested.

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Equal employment opportunity is a sound and just concept to which Houston Methodist is firmly bound. Houston Methodist will not engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with Houston Methodist on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law. VEVRAA Federal Contractor – priority referral Protected Veterans requested.