Optometry/Ophthalmology Assistant - La Clinica de La Raza

Who we are:  La Clínica de La Raza is a community-based health center committed to providing culturally appropriate, high-quality, and accessible health care to the diverse communities of the San Francisco Bay Area.  We have spent over 40 years advocating for and creating a health-home for the many that have been denied access to care.  As health care activists, we are dedicated to ensuring that individuals who do not have healthcare coverage receive the same quality healthcare as those who do.  From our genesis as a community health center in 1971, we understood that we cannot heal our communities without also addressing the economic and social factors that affect health. Many times, this requires that we go outside and provide services in other settings that link individuals to our health center for preventive and primary care.  Over 90,000 individuals come to La Clínica because it is a welcoming place that addresses the whole person, coordinating and connecting them to a broad network of services to improve and maintain their health and well-being.  While we are still known for our activism and spirit of social justice, we are also proud to have grown into a sophisticated provider of primary health care services with 35 sites across Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano counties. 

Be part of an excellent care team:  We are looking for Optometry Assistants who are inspired to deliver a great experience to our patients and who want to play an important role in patient-centered care by performing at the top of their scope of practice.  At La Clínica, you will be challenged to be exceptionally accurate, observant and an efficient task-master while at the same time providing a human touch and an excellent overall patient experience.  Many people excel at one of these areas, but it takes someone with a special combination of skills and character to do both. To be successful, you need to enjoy interacting with all kinds of different people, to feel energized by a fast paced clinic environment, and remain cool under pressure even when serving a person who is upset, disrespectful or impatient.  You should have a successful history of being responsible, reliable and capable of solving problems while being friendly and helpful in looking for ways to support other care team members.  We offer great benefits such as health insurance, educational leave, paid time off, and more. Our clinics are located in the thriving Bay Area known for its cultural diversity, beautiful weather, highly sought after schools and year-round recreational activities.

Major Areas of Responsibility include but are not limited to: 

Patient Care

• Places patient in examining room, takes detailed medical history, and records patient chief complaint.
• Checks visual acuity; performs tonometry and other pretesting as directed by the doctor.
• Responsible for instilling diagnostic topical pharmaceuticals (eye drops) when directed by doctor. 
• May handle infectious wastes; prepares instruments for sterilization.
• Selects, dispenses and verifies prescriptions of visual appliances (i.e. frames, contact lenses).
• Responsible for minor frame repairs and adjustments.
• Operates visual fields screening devise and ocular photography cameras.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Commitment to Quality

• Translates between patient and provider, treatment instructions, questions patients may have regarding physician’s orders, use of medications, and contact lenses.
• Demonstrate a commitment to excellent patient experience and quality outcomes in equal measure.
• Communicate and work effectively with providers and other members of the care team to best serve patients.
• Contribute to a welcoming clinical space and healthy work environment through proactive relationship building, direct communication and sound judgment.
• Engaged participation in huddles, staff meetings, team building activities and assigned development opportunities.
• Continue your professional development through participation in educational opportunities.
• Adherence to all ethical and professional standards, including La Clínica’s policies and procedures.

General Office Duties

• Schedules follow-up appointments and verifies appointment times with patients.
• Screen and monitor EHR requests, completing or routing as assigned.
• Greet and log in patients arriving at office or clinic in the appropriate electronic system.
• Contact medical facilities or departments to schedule patients for tests or appointments.
• Inventory stock, order, and verify receipt of medical, lab, or office supplies or equipment.
• Keep equipment working; troubleshoot breakdowns; stock supplies; call for repairs.
• Enter key medical record information or perform other required record keeping duties required

Minimum Job Requirements

Knowledge

• Basic optometry assisting practices and skills and the various types of equipment used.
• Modern medical terminology, chronic health conditions, and health education related to the service area.
• Working with modern computer applications and electronic health records.
• Methods of safely lifting and moving patients, equipment and supplies.
• Cleaning and sterilization techniques for medical equipment, examining rooms and patients areas.

Abilities

• Demonstrate flexibility and ability to accept changes gracefully.
• Able to work professionally and collaboratively in team-based care delivery.
• Comfort with direct patient contact and solid interpersonal skills for patient education and coaching.
• Ability to work across cultures and demonstrate support of diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Use clear and efficient written and verbal communication skills using the English language.
• Complete and maintain accurate and concise patient records.
• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish or (Specify Language) preferred.

Other Certifications and Experience

• Requires High School diploma or equivalent, assistant training/experience preferred, courses in ocular anatomy; and diseases of the eye desirable.
• Certificate of completion of two years assistant training program preferred.
• Must hold a current BLS (Basic Life Support) Certificate. You will have 30-day grace period to obtain your certificate from the date of hire.
• Experience in optometry office preferred.