Ophthalmic Technician Assistant

The Department of Ophthalmology is seeking an Ophthalmic Technician Assistant to work with close supervision and instruction, who will learn to assist the Ophthalmologist with patient care by performing ophthalmic testing as outlined below.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Obtain and concisely record an accurate patient history.
• Chief complaint.
• Past ocular history.
• Family history.
• Systemic illnesses.
• Medications.
• Allergies and drug reactions.
• Social history.
• Basic Skills and Lensometry
• Measure visual acuity at distance and near utilizing tests appropriate for age and education.
• Record accurately.
• Perform pinhole testing when indicated.
• Perform and record contrast sensitivity.
• Perform Ishihara or HRR color vision testing.
• Accurately measure and record current lens power with a lensometer.
• Perform and record exophthalmometry.
• Perform and record Amsler grid.
• Perform and record Schirmer testing.
• Evaluate pupillary reactions, including afferent pupillary defect.
• Estimate anterior chamber depth.
• Able to properly operate common non-automated and automated ophthalmic equipment including,
• but not limited to: IOL Master, Orb-scan, bright field acuity testing (BAT), potential acuity meter (PAM), autorefractor, corneal pachymetry, Humphrey visual field, Goldmann visual field, OCT, HRT, Lenstar.
• Patient Services
• Apply proper ocular dressings and shields.
• Follow divisional protocols for eye drop instillation, including cycloplegics and topical anesthetics.
• Properly instill eye drops.
• Label newly opened bottles with expiration dates.
• Understand the indications/contraindications for use in dilation.
• Measure interpupillary distances, and evaluate spectacle fit.
• Properly assist physically or visually disabled patients.
• Adhere to regulations regarding drug samples and drug sample logs.
• Basic Tonometry
• Perform accurate Goldmann applanation tonometry and properly disinfect the tonometer.
• Perform accurate Tono-pen tonometry and properly disinfect and store the tonometer.
• Perform accurate Eye Care tonometry.
• Understand the principles of scleral rigidity and the factors that alter intraocular pressure.
• Instrument Maintenance
• Perform routine instrument maintenance on all ophthalmic equipment.
• Stock examination rooms in assigned area and ensure medication expiration dates are current.
• Disinfect and maintain examination rooms.
• General Medical Knowledge
• Maintain current CPR certification.
• Understand basic ocular anatomy and physiology, systemic diseases, ocular diseases and ocular
• emergencies.
• Understand and practice the fundamentals of microbial control.
• Must complete currently required JHMI courses, such as:
• Self-learning educational packets
• HIPAA regulations
• Conflict of Interest
• Complete Annual Review paperwork in a timely manner.
• Complete training in software such as Epic, POE, TAP, Forum, Oculab, Allscripts
• Assist physician chair side as a scribe

Possible Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Surgical assisting with minor outpatient procedures; basic instrument care.
• Perform basic slit lamp evaluation of anterior chamber depth.
• Measure the axial length with A-scan biometry.
• Perform protocol refractometry or other testing for clinical trials.
• Instruct patients in contact lens care, insertion, and removal.
• Neuro-physiologic testing including electroretinogram (ERG), Multi-focal electroretinogram
• (MFERG),
• visual evoked potential (VEP), Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope (SLO)
• Other duties that may be assigned.

• High School Diploma or Graduation Equivalent Diploma.
• Must obtain a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) from the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO) within 18 months of start date.
• CPR certification with the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association.

Classified Title: Ophthalmic Technician Assistant
Role/Level/Range: ACRO40/E/02/CD
Starting Salary Range: $17.20 - $30.30.Hourly ($17.93 Hourly Targeted; Commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9:30 am - 5:00 pm
Exempt Status:Non-Exempt
Location:School of Medicine, East Baltimore Campus
Department name: SOM Ophthalmology Uveitis
Personnel area: School of Medicine