Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA)

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health brings together two award winning health systems in Washington state - CHI Franciscan and Virginia Mason. As one integrated health system with the most patient access points in western Washington our team includes 18,000 staff and nearly 5,000 employed physicians and affiliated providers. At Virginia Mason Franciscan Health you will find the safest and highest quality of care provided by our expert, compassionate medical care team at 11 hospitals and nearly 300 sites throughout the greater Puget Sound region.

Just as Virginia Mason is dedicated to improving the lives of our patients and our community, we are equally dedicated to your professional and personal success. With a wide range of perks that includes a comprehensive compensation and benefits package, and the opportunity to live in one of the most livable cities in the nation, you will find that an opportunity with Team Medicine is one worth taking. We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

Are you a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) passionate about making a difference in ophthalmic care? Join our team and play an indispensable role in supporting Ophthalmologists and Optometrists, ensuring seamless practice operations, and enhancing the patient journey through expert clinical assistance and advanced testing. This position goes beyond standard OA duties, incorporating end-point refractions and sophisticated ophthalmic diagnostics.

Your Impactful Contributions Will Include:

• Personalized Patient Intake: Warmly greet and welcome patients, efficiently preparing them for their appointments. Conduct thorough patient work-ups, meticulously gathering medical history, chief complaint, current medications, and allergies. Perform vital initial vision testing and spectacle neutralization.
• Precision Diagnostic Testing: Conduct critical intraocular pressure measurements (via applanation or Tonopen) and perform precise refractometry. Execute advanced ophthalmic tests such as A/B-scan calculations, Visual Fields, Pachymetry, Corneal Topography, Heidelberg Retina Tomography (HRT), and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT).
• Direct Physician Support & Medication Expertise: Assist physicians during in-office procedures where appropriate and within your training. Administer prescribed ocular medications and provide clear, comprehensive patient education and counseling on proper usage and pre/post-operative instructions.
• Optimized Practice Flow & Accessibility: Manage incoming calls with expert telephone triage to assess patient urgency, facilitating efficient scheduling and coordinating with e-call physician teams to accommodate urgent patient needs. Ensure accurate fee sheet completion and data entry into Cerner.
• Pristine & Prepared Environment: Meticulously restock and clean exam rooms after each patient visit. Maintain a consistently high standard of organization (5S Level 4) in all team areas throughout the day and ensure proper room closure after the patient schedule.

JCAHPO Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) or Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT) required. 1 year working in an optometry or ophthalmology practice required.

Working knowledge of anatomy, pharmacology, medical terminology, sterilization techniques, and basic eye care. Understanding of ophthalmic testing and the use of ophthalmic instruments and equipment.  Basic skills in operating a computer and office equipment. Strong interpersonal and customer relations skills; strong communication skills and organizational skills required.  Ability to make chart documentation with entry into electronic medical record.