The Ophthalmology Community Service Technician plays a pivotal role in providing ophthalmic technician services during community service missions. This position builds upon the responsibilities of an Ophthalmic Technician III, incorporating specialized skills and adaptability to effectively serve patients in diverse settings. The incumbent will be responsible for setting up examination equipment, gathering patient histories, assessing visual acuity, conducting refraction for prescription glasses, performing fundus photography and OCT imaging, documenting findings, and collaborating with eye doctors to generate and communicate reports to patients, their Primary Care Physicians (PCPs), and the relevant healthcare facilities.

This unique position requires a dedicated and adaptable individual with advanced ophthalmic skills who is committed to providing high-quality care to patients in both clinical and community settings. The Ophthalmology Community Service Technician plays a critical role in improving eye health access for underserved populations and will work closely with the Community Service Program Coordinator.

This position will work 40 hours a week (flexible with evenings and weekend mission required). This position will require about 90% travel to community service missions.

Purpose:

This individual is responsible for providing chairside patient assistance performing and retrieving all pertinent information needed for physician to diagnose and treat patients

Responsibilities:

• Pupillary assessment: measurement, compare and evaluate.

• Demonstrated ability to perform: fundus, external photos, slit lamp photos, Ascan (sonomed, iol master & Lenstar) topography, OCT.

• Visual acuity assessment: with and without correction, distance, near and intermediate, pinhole, best corrected, potential acuity, brightness acuity.

• History taking to include ocular, medical, medication, social and family.

• Lensometry & Keratometry: automated and manual.

• Supplemental skills: pachymetry, calibrating biometry instruments, Schirmer's, Rose Bengal, glare testing, color testing.

• Contact lenses: insertion, removal and instructions.

• Refractometry: manifest refractometry & auto-refractor, transposing scripts.

• Angle assessment & proper dilation of pupils.

• Ocular Motility: functions & anomalies, cover tests, stereo-acuity, nystagmus

• Tonometry: Goldmann, Icare, Tonopen and the care and proper disinfection of each

• Visual fields: Amsler grid, confrontation fields, automated perimetry

• Assist with maintaining office inventory, notifying appropriate staff when supplies are needed, restocking exam rooms, cleaning and sterilizing of instruments and cleaning patient exam rooms at end of day.

Community Service Mission Support:

• Travel throughout the region and work in the field at least 50-80% of the time.

• Drive mobile eye clinic as needed.

• Set up examination equipment for community service missions.

• Gather histories, perform assessments, refraction, and imaging, and document exam findings in diverse community settings.

• Accurately document examination findings.

• Collaborate with eye doctors to create comprehensive reports.

• Ensure timely delivery of reports to patients, PCPs, and respective healthcare facilities.

Patient Flow and Efficiency:

• Maintain an efficient patient flow during community service missions.

• Review schedules in advance to optimize efficiency.

• Respond to patient inquiries, triage problems, and schedule appointments as needed during missions.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Assist with in-office procedures, including lasers, injections, or other medical interventions.

• Contribute to inventory maintenance and supply management.

• Sterilize instruments and clean patient exam rooms at the end of each day.

• Troubleshoot and report equipment issues to the manager.

• Participate in the training and orientation of new technicians.

• Collaborate with colleagues on educational initiatives and professional development.

• Work closely with physicians, fellows, residents, and medical students to enhance patient care.

• Act as the site/service supervisor in the absence of the manager.

• Perform other clinical and administrative duties as assigned.

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.

• Minimum of 1 years of ophthalmic experience required and COA certification, OR 5 overall years of ophthalmic experience. Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

• Act 34

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran

UPMC has a Center for Engagement and Inclusion that is charged with executing leading-edge and next-generation diversity strategies to advance the organization’s diversity management capability and its national presence as a diversity leader. This includes having Employee Resource Groups, such as PRIDE Health or UPMC ENABLED (Empowering Abilities and Leveraging Differences) Network, which support the implementation of our diversity strategy.