CONTACT LENS OPHTHALMIC TECHNICIAN 2
University of Washington
Seattle, WA
Full-time
Health Care Provider
Posted on May 31, 2019
Req #: | 163274 |
Department: | UW MEDICINE EYE INSTITUTE |
Job Location: | South Lake Union |
Job Location Detail: | Karalis Johnson Retina Center |
Posting Date: | 01/30/2019 |
Closing Info: | Open Until Filled |
Salary: | $3,709.00 to $5,110.00 per month |
Union Position: | Yes |
Shift: | First Shift |
The UW is proud to be one of the nation’s premier educational and research institutions. Our people are the most important asset in our pursuit of achieving excellence in education, research, and community service. Our staff not only enjoys outstanding benefits and professional growth opportunities, but also an environment noted for diversity, community involvement, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty. As an employee you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please view this page.
The UW MEDICINE EYE INSTITUTE has an outstanding opportunity for a FULL-TIME CONTACT LENS OPHTHALMIC TECHNICIAN 2 (Day Shifts) based at the KARALIS JOHNSON RETINA CENTER at South Lake Union.
Reporting to the Retina Center Health Services Manager, the Contact Lens Ophthalmic Technician 2 assists and/or performs complex clinical diagnostic eye examinations and procedures as delegated by the ophthalmology and optometry teams. The Contact Lens Ophthalmic Technician 2 also participates in clinic and selected divisional activities to promote improved patient care delivery, problem-solving, communication and professional development for self and others. This position will be based at the Karalis Johnson Retina Center, but may be needed to cover duties at the Eye Institute at Harborview.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
Patient Care:
- Utilize appropriate skills and judgment in the assessment and delivery of patient care in accordance with established standards of care in ophthalmology and in collaboration with other members of the healthcare team.
- Complete appropriate intake assessment of patient appointments according to established guidelines set by the clinic practice manager and the medical director, including reviewing the medical record prior to physician examination. An "intake assessment" in ophthalmology consists of visual acuity, intra-ocular pressure measurement, pupilary size and reaction, manifest refraction, and current lens prescription, if applicable. The Ophthalmic Technician 2 will also ask the patient about pain, smoking, and the reason for the visit.
- Complete all ophthalmic imaging tests as ordered by the physicians such as: Amsler tests; Stereo tests, Applanation tonometry, Tonopen; Exophthalmometry, Visual Field – Goldman, Visual Field – Humphrey, Ishihara Color Vision Test, Keratometry; Lensometry, Ocular motility measurements, and Practical microbiology.
- Report findings of tests and procedures according to established policy, such as Schirmer tear test or equivalent, Visual acuity (Distance), Visual acuity (Near), Potential visual acuity, Advanced slit lamp examinations, Refractometry, Worth 4 dots tests, Independent Ultrasound A-scan tests, CVF (confrontation), Topography; Wavescan, Pupilometer, Retinoscopy, A/C Evaluation, Dominant Eye testing, Pupil Evaluation, EOM Evaluation, Aseptic Technique, IVFA Injections, and blood draw.
- Ensure quality and safety of all patients and imaging following appropriate hospital and Eye Institute policies and procedures.
- Document patient care in a timely manner that reflects recognition of the legal significance of an accurate and complete medical record utilizing the designated EMR (electronic medical record).
- Act as an advocate for the patient/family through such activities as case conferences, case management by telephone, or email while safeguarding patient’s privacy and confidentiality.
- Perform complex clinical diagnostic eye imaging and procedures within scope of certification including: patient intake activities; routine technical procedures; administer topical medications; assist with procedures; demonstrate general laser precautions; dispenses contact lenses; provide patient education; demonstrate age-specific patient interaction; and triage patient telephone calls.
- Assist providers with ophthalmic imaging procedures such as flourescein angiography.
- Under physician direction, administer diagnostic eye drops, ophthalmic ointments, and ophthalmic irrigating solutions within scope of certification.
- Monitor and facilitate patient flow in the clinic and in the imaging rooms, working collaboratively with other clinical staff.
- Answer patient questions, address concerns, follow up questions and/or refer patient questions to providers as appropriate.
Contact Lens duties:
- Help prepare and maintain relevant patient records.
- Inform patients on fitting fees, office visits, lens fees, and added supplies needed.
- Assist with preliminary forms needed such as completion of pre-authorizations or letter of medical necessities.
- Identify and help find funds/resources needed for financial as well as assistance related to specialty lenses.
- Train, instruct, and educate patients about the use of various contact lenses to include handling, wearing modality, care, replacement (corneal, corneo-scleral, and scleral medical lens device).
- Follow up with patients post training via phone.
- Answer contact lens-related questions.
- Assist with proper correspondence for missed appointments.
- Maintain inventory of contact lenses, orders, and stocks trials.
- Take near and far acuity.
- Insert and remove lenses for eyes.
- Troubleshoot and/or be willing to learn various CL-based issues and make necessary adjustments.
Customer Service & Team Behaviors:
- Greet all customers, patients and families with a smile; communicate pleasantly and in a manner that optimizes service excellence.
- Promote and model an atmosphere of respect for human dignity and the uniqueness of each person encountered.
- Ensure positive and professional first impression of the clinic.
- Monitor and ensure pleasant atmosphere and patient throughput of imaging waiting areas.
- Advocate for the patient/family by locating appropriate staff to address concerns if unable to resolve independently first.
- Appropriately direct patients and others to the other departments across the medical center as needed.
- Act promptly and effectively in managing self, caring for patients, directing other employees and responding to administrative needs during an emergency situation.
- Participate in and support quality assessment and quality improvement activities.
- Maintain and improve own clinical professional competence, knowledge, and skills to meet identified self-learning needs and annual review requirements.
- Apply appropriate policies, procedures, protocols, and standards of practice in performing clinical duties.
- Support development of clinic and divisional efficiency and effectiveness through participation in quality assessment and improvement activities.
- Promote and contribute to the development of team in clinic and working relationships between the clinic and other departments/disciplines.
- Participate as delegated in the orientation of new staff and act as a preceptor to new technicians or students.
- Demonstrate proactive, professional communication across and within department to facilitate smooth workflow, and to ensure department is positively represented throughout the organization.
- Ability to rotate to satellite sites of service.
- Other duties as assigned.
DESIRED:
- 3+ years of well-rounded Contact Lens experience.
- Excellent customer service skills.
- Highly organized, efficient, and flexible, with ability to multi-task.
- Upbeat, dependable, mature, well-mannered.
- Strong writing and oral communication skills.
- Availability to help doctor with all aspects of specialty contact lenses.
- Strong hands-on experience with specialty contacts, ordering, and dispensing (i.e., keratoconus, hybrid lenses, scleral lenses, and other specialty soft and gas perm lenses).
- Ability to communicate appropriately in all business situations.
- Ability to be trained and coached, and willing to learn.
- Familiarity with and/or willingness to learn how to use penlight, slit lamp, and other devices to help assess fit, lens orientation, and other aspects of specialty lenses.
- Familiarity with and/or willingness to learn how to use OCT, topography, other specialty devices for baseline assessment, corneal monitoring, and lens fitting assessment.
The University of Washington is a leader in environmental stewardship & sustainability, and committed to becoming climate neutral.
The University of Washington is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 / 206-543-6452 (tty) or dso@uw.edu.