Ophthalmic Technician Jobs

OHSU Casey Eye Institute is a premier academic medical center providing eye care for adults and children in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. We treat eye conditions from the most straightforward to the most complex and offer expert care in all ophthalmology specialties. Learn more about our clinics and services.

Since 1945, OHSU Casey Eye Institute doctors and vision scientists have worked side by side to discover the causes of eye disease and find new treatments. Bringing research and patient care together helps us turn possibilities into realities OHSU Casey Eye Institute is a "High Performing" eye hospital, which means we are ranked in the top 10 percent nationally by U.S. News & World Report.

The purpose of this position is to provide ophthalmic technical assistance to faculty, fellows and residents of the Retina Division at the Casey Eye Institute and in their satellite offices as they see patients, and to provide ancillary screening and testing as necessary. This is a full-time, benefited, non-remote position.

Screen patients for and obtain/record patient’s chief complaint, take accurate history of illnesses/surgeries (Ophthalmic and General), past ocular history, family history, drug allergies, and medications. Assist physician with completing/transferring patient information to the patient problem list as required per JCAHO. Perform ophthalmic testing, including OCT, as appropriate per patient. This includes but is not limited to checking/documenting distance and near vision in adults and children with and without correction, clearly determining from patient history if the patient is needing new glasses on any given visit. Pupillary assessment to rule out afferent defect and to check pupil size (rule out asymmetry), corneal curvature, corneal pachymetry, corneal topography, color vision testing, must be proficient in performing lensometry including reading lenses with multifocal and progressive adds, power of sphere, axis of cylinder and cylinder power, and orientation of prism and measurement of interpupillary distance. Perform applanation tonometry, and utilize Tonopen (noncontact tonometry) to check intraocular pressure. Perform confrontation visual fields. Must be proficient in auto refraction, fogging with astigmatic dials, cross cylinder refinement and measurement of accommodation. Must be able to perform cover/uncover test, alternate cover test and quantify strabismus. Must be able to document ocular motility, presence of strabismus or nystagmus. Must be able to perform Worth 4-dot test and Stereopsis test. Must be able to test near point of convergence, ductions, versions and vergences. Must be able to perform Potential Acuity Meter testing, Glare Testing. Instill dilating and other ophthalmic drops per physician’s instructions.

Perform calibration of automated and non-automated perimeters. Maintain a working knowledge of computerized visual field programs, and be able to perform Amsler Grid testing. Maintain a working knowledge of disease processes that may affect the visual pathway and resultant changes in the visual field due to these disease processes. Perform SITA and Standard Humphrey (automated) (central and peripheral).

Assist doctors during examination as needed. Apply eye dressings, protective shields and dispense medications as directed by the physician. Provide patient instruction, education and assistance as required. Always be willing to assist patients in clinic areas. Per standard guidelines, clean exam lanes and minor surgical instruments. Prepare for the sterilization process, either sterilizing instruments utilizing the sterilizer in the Minor Surgery Room per guidelines or preparing instruments to be sent for sterilization. Responsible for room maintenance including periodic cleaning of exam lanes. Keep rooms stocked with appropriate instruments, as well as necessary ophthalmic drops, per physician’s direction.

Other duties: Take ‘tech calls as needed to assist front desk scheduling team, refill pharmacy requests as per physician guidelines; fax/send glasses prescriptions as indicated. Set up ophthalmic examination rooms, stock supplies as necessary, perform minor repairs and triage to Clinical Engineering or outside vendors as necessary. Maintain instruments and be able to clean and properly sterilize items. Maintain ophthalmic exam rooms and ensure rooms are stocked, and have appropriate paperwork, and are orderly and clean. This includes periodic cleaning of trial lenses and examining lenses, ordering of linens and medications from pharmacy. Open examination rooms in the AM and close in the PM (if clinic completed). Provide administrative assistance and support as required, assist in pulling patient charts and making appointment reminder phone calls as necessary. Duties include enlisting translators when necessary, procuring pre-surgery history and physicals from primary care physician’s offices, verifying patient insurance information, obtaining insurance authorizations/referrals where indicated, and handling faxes/calls for pharmacy requests. Being aware of patient’s financial/insurance status (pay scale if patient is self-insured, and insurance coverage where valid) in the OHSU demographic database. Assisting physician in filling out forms such as Commission for the Blind forms and forms regarding the visual impairment of patients, and other such forms. Learn computer applications (scheduling, order entry, etc.) used in the clinic and achieve understanding of insurance authorization process. Assist in other clinic functions as necessary, including making appointments, preparing charts, answering phones or any other general duty as needed. Exhibit initiative and teamwork in performing all daily tasks.

Skills Maintanence: Participate in continuing education courses and activities. Have knowledge of and be able to practice JCAHO clinical guidelines. Demonstrate competence in all required skills during yearly skills evaluation.

Certification: Participate in continuing education courses and activities, maintain current JCAHPO certification. Have knowledge of and be able to practice JCAHO clinical guidelines. Demonstrate competence in all required skills during yearly skills evaluation.

Customer Service: Provides high quality customer service to patients, OHSU faculty and referring providers, to include PCPs and their office staff, insurance providers in requesting referrals, and co-workers and staff as well as setting an example in training new employees. Maintains a high standard of patient interactions skills and is exemplary in addressing patient complaints when necessary.

Participation in the Cash Handling Process: On an as needed basis, be able to perform routine front/back office duties to include billing, quoting of deposits, co-payments and payments per all CEI and OHSU guidelines and processes.

Completion of an accredited training program such as Ophthalmic Technician Program, Ophthalmic Medical Personnel Training Program, Eye Care Assistant Program, Ophthalmic Assistant Program, Ophthalmic Clinical Assistant Program, Ophthalmic Medical Assistant Program, Ophthalmic Medical Technology;

OR AA in Ophthalmic Technology from an accredited school; OR

Current certification as a certified ophthalmic technician (COA) or higher; OR

BA/BS or in Health Care, Science or Research related field AND 1 year of clinical/lab experience conducting preliminary screening/vision testing to include specialized tests and visual fields; OR

2 years of clinical/lab experience conducting preliminary screening/vision testing to include specialized tests and visual fields

BLS certification through American Heart Association (AHA), provider level require at date of hire.

Initial certification is the responsibility of the employee. Renewal certification classes/cost provided by OHSU if job required.

Must be able to perform ophthalmic tests and exams as specified above. Demonstrated ability to use clinical diagnostic equipment. Must be detail oriented and possess excellent interpersonal and patient relations skills. Ability to multi-task and delegate workload is essential. Strong skills and background with clinic operations including scheduling systems, and inventory control.

Excellent communication skills, professional demeanor, excellent organizational skills. Exceptional interpersonal skills - patient advocacy skills - evaluate patient concerns for timely resolution. Sensitivity to patient needs. Ability to work independently as well as in a team-work model. Willingness to serve as a positive and professional role model. Must have demonstrated record of reliable attendance, punctuality and proven successful performance in past and present.

Proficiency with computer applications such as Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, and related computer applications.

COA or COT certification preferred. Maintenance of JCAHPO certification preferred.