Ophthalmic Technician

BLUE RIDGE OPHTHALMOLOGY

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Ophthalmic Technician

Blue Ridge Ophthalmology, a four-physician medical practice in Charlottesville, Virginia, is seeking a motivated, reliable individual for a full-time position as an ophthalmic technician.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

1) Primary responsibility for this position is to assist the physicians as an ophthalmic technician including:

ð Escorting patients from the waiting room to the examination room.

ð Obtaining a complete history on all new patients including the reason for the appointment (“Chief Complaint”).

ð Updating the history on returning patients and ascertain whether they have any new problems since their last visit.

ð Performing basic ocular testing including recording visual acuity, refraction, visual fields to confrontation, ocular motility, pupillary reactions, and intraocular pressures.

ð Entering above data into the computerized electronic medical record.

2) Additional technician duties may include but are not limited to teaching contact lens care to patients, performing pachymetry readings, LenStar and A-scan measurements, OCT, digital photography, automated visual field evaluation, auto-refraction/topography and assisting the physician in minor medical procedures.

3) Front office duties. When the front office is short of personnel, and when the technician is not required for the above duties, the individual will need to be able to answer the telephone, make appointments, take messages, call to remind patients of upcoming appointments, and appropriately direct individuals with ophthalmic complaints. Knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel helpful.

4) Data entry. Between seeing patients, and on days with few scheduled patients, the technician will scan in medical information from old paper charts and outside doctor referrals into the electronic medical record, assist in updating contact lens files, mail prescriptions and other information to patients, and help send out billing statements.

5) Continuing education. When not involved in patient care or administrative support activities, the technician is encouraged to read about ophthalmology, keep up with new advances in contact lenses and other ophthalmic products, and learn more about diagnostic coding and practice management issues. Blue Ridge Ophthalmology will support individuals in obtaining and maintaining degrees such as Certified Ophthalmic Assistant and Certified Ophthalmic Technician (see Salary and Benefits, below).

6) Miscellaneous duties. Blue Ridge Ophthalmology has a small staff and flexibility with regard to duties and responsibilities is valued.

HOURS

The Ophthalmic Technician position is full-time: Monday through Friday, approximately 8:15am – 5:00pm with a 45-minute lunch. A certain amount of flexibility is required: Staff members are often able to leave before 5:00pm; however, occasionally one or more staff members may need to stay a short time past 5:00pm. After 1 year of employment (3-month probationary period plus 9 month of regular employment) the employee will have the option of working a slightly longer day (an additional 40 minutes per day) which will result in one week-day off every two weeks (e.g. every other Tuesday) to be decided by the practice.

1) The position is available immediately with some flexibility on an exact date.

2) The first three months from the prospective employee’s start date constitute a probationary period. At the conclusion of this period, the physicians will meet with the prospective employee for an evaluation. If no serious or insurmountable issues have arisen during the probationary period, and both the physicians and the prospective employee agree that the employee is a “good fit” for the practice, then the prospective employee will be offered a permanent position as ophthalmic technician.

3) Termination may occur at any time for unethical conduct, illegal activity, or other serious offences that adversely affects the practice.

1) The salary for the Ophthalmic Technician position will begin at the rate of $37,500 annually ($18/hr), to be paid in the form of bimonthly payments on the 5th & 20th of each month. If permanent employment is offered after completion of the three-month probationary period, the salary will increase to $38,000 annually.

2) 18 days per year of paid vacation and/or sick leave days per year (paid days off accrue at 1.5 days per month). No paid vacation or paid sick leave days during the probationary period.

3) A retirement plan (401-K) through Fidelity Investments after 1 year of employment.

4) Health insurance through Anthem.

5) Start up and annual stipend for scrubs.

6) Blue Ridge Ophthalmology will sponsor employees to attend appropriate seminars and conferences pertaining to technical skills, medical coding, and other related areas. A $500 bonus and a 5% pay increase will be awarded for attaining a COA degree (or a COT degree for candidates who already have their COA).

1) Amy Proffitt, Assistant Office Manager, will be the direct supervisor of this position.

2) Free eye care (examination, prescription) is included in the position.

3) Blue Ridge Ophthalmology does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or any other basis of discrimination prohibited by law.

Amy Proffitt

Front Office Manager/Hr

Blue Ridge Ophthalmology, PLLC

Charlottesville, VA 22901

Tel.: (434) 295-3227

Fax: (434) 295-9527

Email: anp@blueridgeeyemd.com (updated 4/18/2025)

Pay: $38,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person