Ophthalmic Assistant II - Ophthalmology

Ophthalmic Assistant II

What we do here changes the world. UTHealth Houston is Texas' resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care. That's where you come in.

UTHealth Houston Ophthalmology is hiring for an Ophthalmic Assistant II to join their team of professionals. The OA II will be responsible for ophthalmic workups, patient history, answering patient messages, and more. The Certified Ophthalmic Assistant II assists physicians by providing patient care by preparing patients for examination and diagnostic testing.

Location:

6400 Fannin, Houston, Texas 77030

Once you join us you won't want to leave. It's because we reward our team for the excellent service they provide. Our total rewards package includes the benefits you'd expect from a top healthcare organization (benefits, insurance, etc.), plus:

• 100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees
• Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, both vacation and sick time – all of which equates to around 37-38 days per year)
• The longer you stay, the more vacation you'll accrue!
• Longevity Pay (Monthly payments after two years of service)
• Build your future with our awesome retirement/pension plan!

We take care of our employees! As a world-renowned institution, our employees' wellbeing is important to us. We offer work/life services such as...

• Free financial and legal counseling
• Free mental health counseling services
• Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs
• Other employee discounts including entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc.
• Resources for child and elder care
• Plus many more!

Position Summary:

The Ophthalmic Assistant II provides intermediate-level support to Ophthalmologists by performing a wide range of diagnostic tests, assisting with clinical workflows, and occasionally helping train new technicians.

Position

Key Accountabilities:

• Welcomes patients while explaining the exam process and the technician's role in their care.
• Obtains a comprehensive medical history, including surgical, familial, ocular, and medication details, along with the chief complaint.
• Performs visual acuity measurements, lensometry (manual and automated), and refractions under supervision.
• Conducts standard ophthalmic assessments: color vision, stereo acuity, extraocular movements, confrontation fields, and pupil/angle assessments.
• Measures intraocular pressure using tonometry methods (e.g., Goldmann, Tono-Pen, I-Care).
• Captures or assists with diagnostic imaging: OCT, fundus photography, Humphrey visual fields, corneal topography, and other modalities.
• Instructs patients on contact lens insertion and removal.
• Supports with prescription refills, prior authorization requests, and patient calls; assists in completing disability and FMLA forms.
• Maintains exam rooms, instruments, and inventory; ensures readiness and cleanliness of work areas.
• Assists the Ophthalmologist during in-office procedures and minor surgical interventions.
• Occasionally assists in mentoring or training Ophthalmic Assistant I staff under guidance.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Certification/

Skills:

• Proficient in conducting standard ophthalmic tests independently.
• Working knowledge of ocular anatomy and terminology.
• Strong patient care and service skills.
• Basic mentoring and communication skills.
• Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) by International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (IJCAHPO) required
• Basic Life Support (BLS) by American Heart Association (AHA) required
• Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT) by International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (IJCAHPO) preferred

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or equivalent required May substitute required education with equivalent years of experience beyond the minimum experience requirement. Graduate of an education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s) in an Ophthalmic Assistant program preferred

Minimum Experience:

3 years of clinical experience as an Ophthalmic Technician required

Physical Requirements:

Exerts up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds frequently and/or up to 10 pounds…