Ophthalmic Assistant (30 hours/week Everett)

Job Summary:

Under the direct supervision of the Department Manager and guidance of the provider, the Ophthalmic Assistant performs a wide range of clinical and technical duties to support the examination, diagnosis, and treatment of eye conditions. This role assists medical providers by delivering high-quality ophthalmic care, performing essential diagnostic testing, and ensuring efficient clinic operations. The Ophthalmic Assistant collaborates closely with providers and clinical staff to facilitate smooth patient visits, enhance workflow efficiency, and contribute to excellent patient outcomes.

Essential Responsibilities:

• The Ophthalmic Assistant reviews scheduled appointments to determine clinic workflow, greets and escorts patients to examination rooms, and prepares them for evaluations or procedures. The assistant obtains and documents comprehensive ocular and systemic histories, allergies, medications, and all relevant clinical information in the electronic medical record. Clinical support includes performing vision screening and essential ophthalmic testing such as distance and near visual acuity (with and without correction), stereopsis, color vision, extraocular motility, pupil assessments, confrontation visual fields, tonometry using all approved methods, slit lamp assistance, and both manual and automatic lensometry. Additional technical procedures may be performed under provider direction, including manual and automatic keratometry, retinoscopy, refractometry, Potential Acuity Meter testing, visual field testing, fundus and anterior segment photography, external photography, A-scan and B-scan ultrasonography, and contact lens removal, cleaning, and insertion. Advanced imaging is completed as ordered and includes OCT, Optos imaging, Pentacam, Fluorescein Angiography, IOL Master biometry, Goldmann Visual Fields, and diabetic retinal photography. Ophthalmic medications such as drops and ointments are administered as ordered by the provider, and the assistant supports therapeutic procedures including foreign body removal.
• The Ophthalmic Assistant provides scribing support by accurately documenting provider-dictated findings, assessments, treatment plans, and orders into the electronic medical record, while also scanning, uploading, and maintaining accurate clinical documentation in alignment with Kaiser Permanente standards. The role includes assisting during minor surgical, laser, and other ophthalmic procedures by preparing sterile and clean equipment, setting up procedure trays, and monitoring patient needs throughout the process, following strict adherence to sterile technique at all times.
• Equipment and supply responsibilities include cleaning, maintaining, and calibrating ophthalmic instruments such as slit lamps, lenses, ophthalmoscopes, and diagnostic devices; packaging and sterilizing reusable instruments; arranging repairs or recalibration when needed; and ensuring that all supplies, instruments, and medications are properly stocked, sterile, and ready for use. The assistant maintains exam and treatment rooms by cleaning and arranging equipment and supplies, which requires regular bending, reaching, and lifting up to 45 pounds throughout the workday.
• Patient communication involves receiving and responding to calls, messages, and clinical inquiries in accordance with scope and workflow protocols. The assistant provides clear instructions regarding medications, diagnostic procedures, and follow up care and helps coordinate care across ophthalmology, optometry, optical services, pharmacy, family medicine, and other Kaiser Permanente departments. Patient concerns are addressed directly when appropriate or routed to the proper personnel or department for resolution.
• Administrative responsibilities include scheduling appointments, answering phones, taking messages, documenting visits, maintaining departmental logs, assisting with supply ordering, and transporting equipment or patients as needed. The assistant uses the electronic medical record accurately for documentation, workflow tasks, and communication.
• This position adheres to all Kaiser Permanente quality, safety, infection-prevention, emergency preparedness, and confidentiality policies. The assistant ensures patient safety through proper medication handling, equipment use, fall prevention practices, infection control standards, and consistent use of two patient identifiers and procedural time outs. Safety hazards, incidents, and unsafe conditions are reported promptly.
• The Ophthalmic Assistant completes all required Kaiser Permanente training, including classroom instruction, reading assignments, competency validation, and the Independent Study Course for Ophthalmic Assistants. During the training period, patient care is performed under direct supervision, and required skills, such as acuity testing, tonometry, lensometry, ocular history intake, medication/allergy documentation, blood pressure measurement, appointment scheduling, and message management, must be successfully demonstrated through competency check-offs. The assistant may also participate in orienting and training new employees. Throughout all work, the assistant demonstrates service behaviors aligned with the Kaiser Permanente Service Quality Credo and Mission, providing culturally responsive and inclusive service to patients, colleagues, and contracted partners. Other duties may be assigned as needed to support clinical operations.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.