Technician, Ophthalmology Lead

• Orients and trains new ophthalmic technicians and assistants to Kaiser Permanente policies and procedures to work in a high efficiency model of practice.


• Arranges for or provides in-service training to keep technician/assistant staff current on ophthalmology treatment and procedures.


• Assists support staff in organizing workstations to allow for efficient use of space and flow of work.


• Assists the Regional Manager of Vision Services in scheduling staff for appropriate coverage of the ophthalmology centers.


• Activates visual field schedules as appropriate at each ophthalmology center and as staffing allows in coordination with optometry.


• Technician duties as follows: Receives patients' charts the day before or the morning of the patient's scheduled appointment and requests charts as directed by the provider.
  


• Each morning, charts are secured for the entire day.


• Interviews patients prior to appointment to obtain ocular history, chief complaint, and history of present and past illnesses and records history in the medical record.


• Performs routine vision and screening and measurement examinations such as visual acuity, visual field screening, ocular pressure, ocular motility and color vision, alerts Ophthalmologist to any abnormality, and records results of screening examinations on patient's medical record.


• Performs non-routine visual exams such as tangent screen testing as directed by the Ophthalmologist and records results for interpretation.


• Assists providers with procedures and minor and major surgery, maintains inventory of instruments and supplies, and assures disinfecting and storage of instruments.


• Assists the general and specialty ophthalmologist in the clinical examination of the eye and in surgical procedures as directed.


• Attends patients requiring emergency eye care and alerts Ophthalmologist of their arrival and instructs patients in medication, pre and post-op eye care.


• Performs user-level maintenance and repair of equipment as prescribed by manufacturers.


• Applies eye dressings, protective shields as necessary.


• Able to perform complete use of instruments.


• Dilates and checks eye pressures.


• Performs visual fields and photography.


• Under the direct supervision of an Ophthalmologist, may assist with fluorescein amniography by operating flindus and retinal photography equipment as assigned. Labels and maintains filing system for ophthalmic photography.


• Under the direct supervision and instruction by the ophthalmologist, assists in performing A-scan measurements, corneoscopy, ultrasonic pachymetry, and pneumotonometiy.


• Under direction of Ophthalmologist, screen patient telephone calls and assess urgency of care required; refer patient to provider as appropriate.


• Performs other related duties as directed.

• Minimum of three (3) years of experience as ophthalmology technician or ophthalmology assistant II required.

• Graduate of two (2) years accredited ophthalmology technician training program required. (Two (2) years at Kaiser Permanente as an Ophthalmology Assistant II may substitute for two (2) years training program.)

• JCAHPO (Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology) certification test for Ophthalmology Technician or Certified Ophthalmic Med Technologist required.


• BLS Certification required (AHA).

• In order to work effectively with patients, must have effective interpersonal and communication skills and be able to stand, walk, bend, lift at least 50 pounds, hear, speak, and see.


• Formal shadowing program or actual experience in a program for iv insertion for non-nurses preferred.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prefer ability to perform IV Fluoroscein Angiography.


• Must be able to pass practical evaluation to show evidence of skills


• Retina Experience