GENERAL SUMMARY:

Under direct supervision of the manager, the Leader-Ophthalmic Technician-Certified provides leadership to a staff of at least four employees. Performs leadership functions about 30% of the time and Ophthalmic Technician - Certified duties the remaining 70% of the time. Assists the ophthalmologist in the clinic setting. In addition to the assistant level skills, a certified ophthalmic technician must also demonstrate accuracy in measuring a refractive error, performing tests of ocular motility and other specialized diagnostic tests.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership Duties:

• Leads a group of four or more staff.

• Performs leadership function approximately 30% of the time.

• Assists in the selection, orientation, and training of new staff; and may provide input into performance appraisals.

• Schedules staff and distributes work assignments.

• Monitors workflow and makes appropriate work assignment adjustments.

• Provides professional expertise as needed.

• Develops an educational plan to address staff development.

• Assists in validating competencies of staff.

• Leads the daily Team Huddles before the start of clinic.

  COT, COMT, CO Duties:

• Medical History Taking: Obtain and accurately record patient’s medical and ocular history including chief complaint, medications, allergies, and review of systems in accordance with compliance guidelines. Select and complete appropriate forms and protocol as required by the supervising ophthalmologist and/or sub-specialist. Use approved medical abbreviations. May document for the physician in the clinical setting, not the surgical setting.

• Visual acuity testing: Perform visual acuity testing to determine the basic ability of a person to see both near and far, with and without correction. Conduct pinhole acuity test, glare test, and potential acuity test (e.g., BAT, PAM) Measure vision without charts (CF, HM, LP, etc.).

• Lensometry: Apply basic optics necessary to measure the power of corrective lenses using automated or manual lensometers. Verify spectacle lens power, bifocal addition power, mark optical centers, and detect prism, if present. Measure base curves. Verify prescribed and unwanted prism as ground-in or induced.

• Visual Fields: Perform confrontation visual field and screening tests using automated and/or Frequency Doubling perimetry. Detect central field abnormalities with an Amsler grid. Diagram confrontation field defects. Plot peripheral isopters

• Goldmann-type perimeter. Identify visual field defects typical of various ophthalmic and neurologic conditions.

• Tonometry: Demonstrate proper aseptic technique and measure intraocular pressure with non-contact, digital and/or Goldmann applanation tonometers. Calibrate TonoPen and Goldmann applanation tonometers.

• Instrument maintenance: Care for, maintain, and perform minor servicing of exam room equipment. Maintain records, equipment manuals, and repair logs. Restock supplies as rooms are opened; protect and properly store instruments as rooms are closed. Replace light bulbs and fuses as needed. Troubleshoot electrical instrument failure. Calibrate special equipment (Goldmann perimeter, projectors, keratometers, applanation tonometers, etc.). Calibrate A-scan ultrasound equipment.

• Other specialized tests: Perform color vision testing with color plates. Measure pupil size and detect abnormalities in pupil reaction. Estimate anterior chamber depth by slit lamp evaluation. Obtain measurements using automated refractors and/or keratometers. Measure stereopsis with Titmus test. Evaluate reflex tear production with Schirmer’s test strips. Measure corneal thickness with digital (ultrasonic) pachymeter. Measure axial length by contact and immersion A-scan ultrasound. Identify proper spike pattern required for visual axis alignment. Demonstrate methods for targeting and achieving appropriate post-operative refractive errors.

• Other patient services: Coordinate patient flow and appointments. Apply and remove eye dressings and shields. Instill drops and ointment into patient’s eye as directed for completion of diagnostic evaluation of patient by ophthalmologist. Recognize the symptoms of allergic reactions to medications. Follow department protocol on prescription refill processing. Measure and record vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, and respirations). Provide patient education on tests – why done, when results are expected. Participate in telephone triage and assist trauma patients. May perform minor repairs of spectacles.

• Contact lens assisting: Take history from the patient on contact lens wear and identify problems. Perform visual acuity with contacts. Instruct patients on insertion, removal, care, and solutions for all types of lenses. Insert trial contact lenses. Order contact lenses for patients per doctor specifications and initiate purchase orders. Maintain contact lens stock and patient files. Care for contact lenses and ocular prosthetics and instruct patients in contact lens insertion and removal. May measure lens specification such as power, curves, diameter, edge and center thickness of all types of contacts. May clean and polish hard and gas permeable contacts. May check new contacts from lab and verify specifications. Measure corneal curvature with manual keratometers. Perform corneal topography and distinguish between normal and abnormal readings. Troubleshoot fitting problems.

• Refractometry: Enter spectacle data into Phoropter. Refine spectacle correction or automated findings using a Phoropter. Measure a refractive error by retinoscopy. Refine objective refraction using a Phoropter and/or trial lenses and trial frame. Calculate reading add at 40 centimeters (16 inches). Measure vertex distance.

• Ocular motility assessment: Measure near point of convergence. Use cover tests to identify deviations of alignment by type and amount. Distinguish between normal and abnormal binocular movements (versions and vergences).

• Photography: Identify instruments used for imaging in the eye. Set up for, explain, and prepare patient for IV fluorescein angiography (IVFA). Recognize and respond to possible complications of intravenous fluorescein angiography (IVFA) Obtain color fundus photos of the optic disc. Perform imaging of the optic nerve and retina (OCT) as required.

• Surgical Assisting: Set up and assist in non-refractive laser surgery (argon, YAG, etc.) and minor surgery. Prepare instrument tray for minor surgical procedures. Disinfect lenses and instruments that make contact with the eye. Maintain surgical instruments in accordance with OSHA standards. Properly gown and glove self and assist others in gowning and gloving. Select proper instruments using physician’s preference for common ocular surgical procedures. Drape an ophthalmic surgical patient. Identify the sterile field and instruments and maintains aseptic technique. Clean, prepare, package, and sterilize microsurgical instruments. Identify instrumentation for refractive surgery and assist in refractive procedures. Set up ophthalmic surgical machines and instruments. Identify appropriate wound closure materials. Identify surgical medications, including anesthetics, miotics, mydriatics, viscoelastics, osmotic diuretics, enzymes, narcotics, and other medications as required.

• Performs other duties as required.

  EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• High school diploma and a minimum of five (5) years of experience as an ophthalmic technician required.

• Visual/hearing/verbal requirements: The ability to see details of objects at a close range (within a few feet of the observer). The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. Ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand during test procedures, in taking patient histories, and in performing tests on patients.

• The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

• · Manual dexterity is required to operate various equipment in the performance of duties.

• Attention to detail necessary due to the exacting nature of the position.

• Ability to find information and identify essential information in managing patient information.

• Mentoring and coaching skills to help other employees gain competencies and overcome barriers to improving current job performance is also expected of all certified personnel.

• Given the level of training and experience required in this position, the employee will be expected to work well independently.

  CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSURES REQUIRED:

• Current certification as a Certified Ophthalmic Technician or Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technician by the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO) is required. Certification as a Certified Orthoptist also qualifies.

• Must obtain CPR (Basic Life Support) Certification within six (6) months of hire date and maintain certification throughout career.

• Must meet or exceed core customer service responsibilities, standards and behaviors as outlined in the Henry Ford Health Customer Service Policy

• Must practice the customer skills as provided through on-going training and in-services.

  PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Works in a patient care environment with possible exposure to infectious diseases.

Additional Information

• Organization: Henry Ford Medical Group

• Department: Ophthalmology Dearborn Ford Rd

• Shift: Day Job

• Union Code: Not Applicable

  Additional Details

  This posting represents the major duties, responsibilities, and authorities of this job, and is not intended to be a complete list of all tasks and functions. It should be understood, therefore, that incumbents may be asked to perform job-related duties beyond those explicitly described above.

Overview

Henry Ford Health partners with millions of people on their health journey, across Michigan and around the world. We offer a full continuum of services – from primary and preventative care to complex and specialty care, health insurance, a full suite of home health offerings, virtual care, pharmacy, eye care and other health care retail. With former Ascension southeast Michigan and Flint region locations now part of our team, Henry Ford’s care is available in 13 hospitals and hundreds of ambulatory care locations. Based in Detroit, Henry Ford is one of the nation’s most respected academic medical centers and is leading the Future of Health: Detroit, a $3 billion investment anchored by a reimagined Henry Ford academic healthcare campus. Learn more at henryford.com/careers .

Benefits

The health and overall well-being of our team members is our priority. That’s why we offer support in the various components of our team’s well-being: physical, emotional, social, financial and spiritual. Our Total Rewards program includes competitive health plan options, with three consumer-driven health plans (CDHPs), a PPO plan and an HMO plan. Our team members enjoy a number of additional benefits, ranging from dental and eye care coverage to tuition assistance, family forming benefits, discounts to dozens of businesses and more. Employees classified as contingent status are not eligible for benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer Henry Ford Health is committed to the hiring, advancement and fair treatment of all individuals without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, size, height, weight, marital status, family status, gender identity, sexual orientation, and genetic information, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.