Ophthalmic Assistant

J  o  b    D  e  s  c  r  i  p  t  i  o  n

JOB INFORMATION

Effective Date:

6/11/2026

Entity:

Wisconsin

Job Code:

920001

Job Title:

Ophthalmic Assistant

FLSA Exemption Status:

Non-Exempt

Management Level:

Individual Contributor

JOB SUMMARY

The Ophthalmic Assistant performs various functions and procedures related to the delivery of care to ambulatory patient populations. The Ophthalmic Assistant is involved in direct patient care for both preventive and speciality eye care. The Ophthalmic Assistant will draw upon their training and experience to preform optimal testing techniques under the supervision of the staff physician.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

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Provide patient care under the supervision of a physician, Nurse Practitioner (NP), Physician Assistant (PA), or registered nurse relative to the patient’s age-specific needs and under various conditions.

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Perform patient check in, including but not limited to obtaining and recording vital signs, height, weight, chief complaint, brief relevant history including pain status, allergies, current medication, and any other pertinent information for specific age groups.

•

Perform visual testing as appropriate.

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Review medical records for up-to-date master problem list, including patient reported medication and allergies and diagnoses that are documented by physicians or providers.

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Understand that the stress of illness may alter patient behavior and ability to follow through on plan of health care; interact with respect, including situations where patient and/or family display anger or distress.

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Provide support and comfort to patients and families during clinic visits and procedures as needed, including chaperoning during sensitive examinations.

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Participate in patient education by providing structured written/verbal information to patients regarding procedures, preparation for diagnostic tests, and chronic disease conditions as instructed by RN/MD, for patients not requiring special adaptations. Refer patients who require further teaching interventions to an RN or provider.

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Provide emergency care to patients when necessary using basic life support and automated defibrillator protocols, maintaining basic CPR certification.

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Document complete and accurate patient observations, care, and outcomes of interventions and enter in the paper or electronic medical record.

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Coordinate records and maintenance of equipment in CLIA lab if applicable.

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Assist provider with procedures including those requiring aseptic and sterile technique.

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Calibrate and maintain ophthalmologic equipment to ensure proper working order.

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Request clinic supplies, as needed.

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Work with management to ensure JCAHPO and HIPAA compliance for patients seen in the clinic and with all equipment used in the clinic.

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Work with management, physicians, and optometrists to ensure optimal patient flow by monitoring/enhancing clinic template

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Clean exam rooms, procedure tables, equipment, and other work areas according to guidelines and following current isolation procedures.

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Stock clinical workstations and exam/procedure rooms as assigned.

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Report non-functioning or defective equipment to supervisor immediately.

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Ensure all supplies are up to date and replace expired materials as necessary, including procedure trays, following sterile processing procedures.

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Demonstrate proficiency in use of the computer for all aspects of patient care and documentation.

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Facilitate the coordination of patient services within the clinic and other departments, e.g. radiology, clinical lab, etc.

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Prepare/maintain medical records, including ordering, filing, and copying when appropriate.

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Adhere to National Patient Safety goals.

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Participate in public education programs as may be sponsored by UWH and the Department of Ophthalmology.

•

Participate in development and implementation of hospital outreach programs related to ophthalmology.

•

Participate in community requests for patient education and designated screening programs that relate to disorders of the eye or normal eye care.

As needed, additional responsibilities reasonably within the scope of duties and physical requirements may be assigned.  ALL DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS MUST BE PERFORMED CONSISTENT WITH THE UW HEALTH PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND RESPECT FOR PEOPLE COMMITTMENTS.

X

Clinical

Will provide all patients age and culturally appropriate assessment/screening and interpretation of clinical and laboratory data. Develops and implements age appropriate interventional plans of care including education within the parameters of their position responsibilities and licensure

JOB REQUIREMENTS

No minimum education required.

High School Diploma

or equivalent

Preferred

Completed an accredited Ophthalmic/Optometric program, Certified Medical Assistant program, or Licensed Practical Nurse program

Preferred

6 months

of customer service experience

Required

1 year

of experience as a Certified Ophthalmic/Optometric Assistant or Tech, Certified Medical Assistant, or Licensed Practical Nurse

Preferred

COA, COT, CPOT, or CPOA certifications

within 1-1/2 Yrs

Required

CPR certification

within 90 Days

Required

If LPN, licensed in the state employed

Preferred

If MA, Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)

Preferred

LICENSE, CERTIFICATIONS, AND REGISTRATIONS MUST BE MAINTAINED PER UW HEALTH POLICY. 

•

Good customer relation skills

•

Ability to function as a team member

•

Knowledge of Ophthalmic procedures

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS

☐

Sedentary: Sedentary work involves lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and occasionally lifting or carrying articles like docket files, ledgers, and small tools. Although a sedentary job is defined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met.

Up to 10#

Negligible

Negligible

☒

Light: Light work involves lifting no more than 20 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds. Even though the weight lifted may be very little, a job is in this category when it requires a good deal of walking or standing, or when it involves sitting most of the time with some pushing and pulling of arm or leg controls. To be considered capable of performing a full or wide range of light work, you must have the ability to do substantially all of these activities. If someone can do light work, we determine that they can also do sedentary work, unless there are additional limiting factors such as loss of fine dexterity or inability to sit for long periods of time.

up to 20#

Up to 10# or requires significant walking or standing or requires pushing/pulling of arm/leg controls.

Negligible or constant push/pull of items of negligible weight

☐

Medium: Medium work involves lifting no more than 50 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds. If someone can do medium work, we determine that they can also do sedentary and light work.

20-50#

10-25#

Negligible-10#

☐

Heavy: Heavy work involves lifting no more than 100 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds. If someone can do heavy work, we determine that they can also do medium, light, and sedentary work.

50-100#

25-50#

10-20#

☐

Very Heavy: Very heavy work involves lifting objects weighing more than 100 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing 50 pounds or more. If someone can do very heavy work, we determine that they can also do heavy, medium, light, and sedentary work.

Over 100#

Over 50#

Over 20#

Other - list any other physical requirements or bona fide occupational qualifications not indicated above:

Over 50 lbs.

UW Health does not require, nor does it expect that its employees lift more than 50 lbs unassisted. Objects in excess of 50 lbs should be lifted or moved with mechanical means or through a team lift. Employees in patient care areas are expected to utilize mechanical lifts and adhere to the "Use of Mechanical Lifts (Liko)" policy in the Patient Services Policy and Procedure Manual.

Note: The purpose of this document is to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel so classified; it is not intended to serve as an inclusive list of all responsibilities associated with this position.

THE EMPLOYEE MUST BE ABLE TO COMPLETE ALL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB WITH OR WITHOUT AN APPROVED ACCOMODATION. Note: The purpose of this document is to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel so classified; it is not intended to serve as an inclusive list of all responsibilities associated with this position.