An ophthalmic assistant is one who works with the ophthalmologist, assisting him or her with patients and records. An ophthalmic assistant may occasionally also work as a secretary or administrative assistant in the doctor's office, but generally works directly with patients prior to their exams. Typically, most ophthalmic assistants are only required to have a high school education for this entry level job; training is generally received on the job. Some ophthalmic assistants choose to take a certification program, and receive certification from the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology.
On a daily basis, an ophthalmic assistant will meet with patients before their scheduled appointment with the ophthalmologist, and begin by taking a history of their general health as well as the health of their eyes. He or she will ask the patients if they have any particular concerns they want to address with the doctor, or if they would like to be fitted for glasses or contacts. The patient may ask the ophthalmic assistant any questions they may have. The assistant will record all of this information on the patient's chart.
In addition to taking history information, the ophthalmic assistant may perform some basic tests on the patient to prep him or her for the exam. These tests are simple and may check eye pressure, peripheral vision, field of vision, color vision, and pupil reaction and size, among others. Ophthalmic assistants may also dilate the pupils if needed, and perform other tasks as assigned, or as needed by the physician.
In addition to this work, some ophthalmic assistants perform scheduling tasks in the office as well. They may be responsible for setting appointments for patients when they call the office, as well as calling patients to confirm appointments. The assistant may also be responsible for maintaining and updating patient records as needed, and performing billing tasks. This may include sending out bills, contacting various insurance companies, and applying payments to accounts when they are received.
Finally, an ophthalmic assistant may be responsible for maintaining the office and the equipment therein. He or she may be responsible for cleaning the office and the equipment, stocking supplies as needed, and calibrating equipment if necessary, and if proper training has been received. Typically an ophthalmic assistant will work full time and receive benefits; the hours are generally regular and during weekdays, so it is a good choice for those who want a steady income and regular hours without the need for a great deal of extra education.
