Full-Time Surgical Facilitator!! - Eye Associates of New Mexico

POSITION SUMMARY:

Primarily functions as an onsite surgical facilitator in support of the Anterior Segment surgeons.  Works to facilitate smooth surgical services to ensure patients have a high quality surgical experience. Properly interprets A-scan values and other measurements provided by Lab; Verifies that each patient receives the correct IOL, according to the surgeon order; verbally confirms the intended end result target with the patient prior to surgery and helps to answer patient questions. Communicates pertinent information to the surgeon and OR staff. Acts as an ambassador for quality care and customer service. Certified Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant and the Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) certifications.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Communicates information to patients (i.e. educates patients regarding intended refractive result after cataract surgery, setting appropriate patient expectations, answering patient questions, and involving the surgeon for additional patient education when necessary. 
• Reviews patient charts prior to surgery to 1) ensure complete surgical plan is documented, and 2) review intraocular lens order, making changes when appropriate based on surgeon recommendation.
• Supplies OR in question with daily list of surgery patients requiring implants with the list including lenses of choice for each patient and other pertinent data on each patient
• Documents patient history (determines and records general medical history, pertinent family medical history, and ocular history); updates medical record following physician exam, notes any changes to physician's surgical plan.
• Evaluates patient's documented visual acuity, exam findings for consistency and accuracy.
• Authorizes medication refills according to guidelines established by the physicians; documents those refills in the patient's medical record.
• Demonstrates knowledge of when and how to do special tests (e.g. BAT, PAM, topo's, keratometry, formal VF's amsler grid, Schirmer's test, etc.)
• Demonstrates knowledge of axial length and K readings for IOL power, IOL calculation methods. 
• Assists surgeons intraoperatively with machine settings, fluidics, troubleshooting of equipment.
• Assists surgeons in other sub-specialties (glaucoma, retina, cornea as needed).
• Maintains communication among physicians, technicians, surgery schedulers, and other support staff to ensure standard-of-care practices and to incorporate performance improvement opportunities. Serves as a resource for staff.
• Communicates patient information to anesthesia staff when necessary.
• Maintains and learns surgeon preferences for optimal patient care delivery.
• Communicates with procurement staff to ensure correct IOLs are available. 
• Coordinates the development of skilled technicians to work with proficiency in surgical support roles, assists with training program, and provides education updates for staff.
• Works with the surgery scheduling department and the ASC staff to maintain communication between the clinic and surgery center, including ensuring that patients are scheduled for postoperative visits, coordinating postoperative care for out-of-town patients when necessary, ensuring that all pertinent data is available for the surgeon at the surgery center and coordinating the transfer of patient surgical records to EANM clinic records as needed. 
• Demonstrates general knowledge in the ophthalmology specialty and assists in planning and preparing the operating room appropriately for the surgical procedure
• Evaluates and coordinates activities during surgical procedures by anticipating surgeon's needs and necessary supplies.
• Reviews physician preference cards, gathers instruments, supplies and equipment and assists with room turnover 
• Assists the surgeon with various types of surgical procedures by maintaining current knowledge of various procedures and supplies
• Adheres to proper surgical procedures of aseptic technique and safety in the use of instruments and equipment, while assuring the surgical team also adheres to the principles of sterile technique
• Maintains an accurate count of sponges, needles and instruments (when appropriate) and signs documentation
• Decontaminates instruments and autoclave instrument trays as required
• Maintains current knowledge of anatomy and physiology and identifies medications and solutions used intra-operatively by labeling them appropriately
• Assures that specimens are handled correctly and routed to the proper source and initials documentation
• Keeps circulating nurse informed and abreast of situations changing in the procedure
• Removes instruments and supplies from OR at the end of the case and appropriately disposes of drapes and sharps 
• (If Applicable) Complies with sterilization, infection, safety and Surgery Center policies.  Participates in the Surgery Center Quality program and monitoring
• Ensures that OR's are stocked and that excess sterile items or equipment are removed and stored appropriately
• May function like as an ophthalmic technician. Refer to the essential functions of the Ophthalmic Tech II (COA), Tech III (COT) or Tech IV (COMT) for job functions and competencies.
• Accountable for an ongoing effort to maintain a high level of accuracy, quality and consistency in patient post-operative results. Consistently exhibits behaviors, which create a high level of patient and employee satisfaction which maintains the credibility, integrity and positive image, which in turn supports the mission, goals and operations of surgery center and contributes to continuous performance improvement 
• Demonstrates an ongoing proactive interest in continuing education to include topics such as learning calculation methodology, interacting in the anterior segment clinics, staying current on Anterior Segment surgical techniques and procedures and staying abreast of Anterior Segment IOL related studies and technology
• The annual completion of assigned Learning Management System (LMS) courses is mandatory.  Any individual who has not completed their assigned training prior to November 30th of each year may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS:

• Job requires high school education, or equivalent, plus at least two (2) years of extra education and/or experience as an OR technician
• Continuing education required to maintain certification as Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) and/or Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) and/or the Registered Ophthalmic Ultrasound Biometrist (R.O.U.B.)
• Must exhibit mathematical aptitude and demonstrate great attention to both detail and organization.

What we offer:

• No nights, no weekends, no holidays
• No on-call
• On the job training
• BLS and ACLS training on-site
• Paid time off (PTO) 
• Eight (8) company paid holidays (including the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve!)
• Medical and Dental 
• Generous Vision benefits for you and your dependents
• Education Assistance Program
• 401(k) and Roth Program 
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) 
• Company paid Basic Life and AD&D Insurance, Short Term and Long Term Disability Insurance 
• Voluntary Supplemental Life and AD&D  
• Free Calm app
• Financial Wellness Program
• Identity Theft Protection Plan
• Employee Assistance Program 
• and more!

Integrity * Patient Focus * Adaptability * Community * Excellence

Please visit us at https://www.aaescnm.com/ for more information 

AA/EOE/Disability. Eye Associates of New Mexico is a drug and tobacco-free employer. 

Req 2435