Lead Ophthalmic Technician

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:

920003

Job Title:

Lead Ophthalmic Technician

FLSA Exemption Status:

Non-Exempt

Management Level:

Individual Contributor

JOB SUMMARY

The Lead Ophthalmic Technician is an advanced-level position including a wide variety of clerical, technical, and patient related functions under minimal supervision. The Lead Ophthalmic Technician performs all of the duties of the associate/objective level ophthalmic technician with greater independence, including clinic flow management, patient check-in; medical record review, preparation for the visit, patient education, assistance with medical examinations, treatments, and procedures, coordination and scheduling of tests, appointments, and surgeries, coordination of area work assignments, protocol review and update, and quality assurance checks.

In addition to performing and overseeing such tasks, the Lead Ophthalmic Technician is also a mentor and role model for the Ophthalmic Assistants and Technicians and functions as a lead worker for support staff. The Lead Ophthalmic Technician may also participate in Ophthalmic Technician continuing education by developing content and/or teaching classes. As a member of the patient care team, including registered nurses, assistants, technicians, orthoptists, clerical staff, medical students, residents, and faculty physicians, the Lead Ophthalmic Technician is also aware of the psychosocial needs of patients and families.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

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Provide patient care under minimal 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 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. Prepare patient for examination or procedure, 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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Ensure patient’s visual and auditory privacy and maintain patient confidentiality at all times.

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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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Promote patient welfare and independence by communicating through words and actions and understanding of patients’ feelings and reactions to the healthcare environment.

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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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Report pertinent observations and information, both written and verbal, to appropriate personnel.

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Contribute to individual patient care planning.

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Coordination of 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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Responsible for routine maintenance and do minor repair of ophthalmic equipment.

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Establishes periodic maintenance schedules for equipment and set standards for evaluation of function.

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Demonstrate advanced knowledge of ophthalmic photography principles and how these relate to patient care, research, and education.

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Works with management to ensure JCAHPO and HIPPA compliance with patients seen in the clinic and with all equipment used in the clinic.

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Works with management, physicians and optometrists to ensure optimal patient flow by monitoring/enhancing clinic templates.

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Communicate effectively with patients/families and the clinic team.

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Interact with staff and co-workers in a manner that promotes positive working relationships.

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Function as a patient care team member contributing to individual patient care planning.

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Comply with the UWH patient satisfaction, customer service, and ambulatory care standards.

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Lead quality improvement projects.

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Attend and actively participate in staff meetings.

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

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Stock clinical workstations, exam/procedure rooms as assigned, inventory specialty items and initiate reorder of supplies as needed.

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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 reprocessing procedures.

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Solve problems and make guided decisions about area function and patient care issues.

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Provide organizational and clerical support to facilitate optimal patient care and area operation.

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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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Complete all required competencies and maintain skill level.

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Complete required Annual Review and Safety and Infection Control exam.

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Recognize the need for continued learning by attending staff development programs and workshops.

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Lead and serve on task force/committees as requested.

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

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

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

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Coordinate work assignments to assure that needed staff is available and prepared.

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Requests clinic supplies as needed.

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Reviews schedules and space needs to anticipate and make any needed changes in staffing or provider schedules for the clinics they coordinate.

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Review, update and develop selected clinic policies and procedures as requested.

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Conduct quality review/audits of processes, equipment and supply use to improve care, increase efficiency or reduce cost as needed.

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Develop the schedule and oversee the new Ophthalmic Technician orientation. Verify their competency checklist.

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Develop the schedule and oversee the student and mentoring programs and assist with paper work as required.

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

Completion of an accredited Ophthalmic/Optometric program or Medical Assistant program

Preferred

2 years

Of experience as Certified Ophthalmic  Associate (COA)

Required

2 years

Of experience as a Certified Ophthalmic Technician COT

Preferred

Prior supervisory or coordinator experience

Preferred

Certified Ophthalmic Associate

Required

Must complete certification as Ophthalmic Technician (COT) within 18 months

within 1-1/2 Yrs

Required

Certified Ophthalmic Technician

Preferred

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

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Demonstrated ability to perform Ophthalmic technician responsibilities at a consistently high level of independence and competence

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Demonstrated leadership skills with initiative and active problem solving

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Demonstrated ability to mentor and orient other team members

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Conflict management skills and ability to maintain composure in a high stress, fast paced environment

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Demonstrated customer–first attitude and philosophy

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Strong oral and written communication skills

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Knowledge of and proficient use of computers

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Knowledge and understanding of medical terminology

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS

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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

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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

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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#

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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#

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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.