Ophthalmic Professional I – Oculoplastics/Ophthalmology Procedure Suite

The University of Iowa Healthcare, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences is seeking a 100% Ophthalmic Professional I – Oculoplastics/Ophthalmology Procedure Suite (PK81; 46) to assist in and aid in coordination of the educational, operational, and clinical research activities of the Oculoplastic service in the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences. This position assists oculoplastics physicians in surgery and other minor room procedures. When not in the operating room, the position triages patient phone calls, pre-charts, and coordinates other aspects of patient care, scheduling, and follow-up for the oculoplastics service demonstrating professional competency and experience in ophthalmic care.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

PATIENT CARE

• Initiates and complete all aspects of patient work-up including documenting medical and ocular history, refraction, tonometry, visual acuity, reading prescription of eyeglasses and recording all medications.
• Provides direct sterile surgical assistance in the Ophthalmology Procedure Suite.
• Removes eye patches and nonabsorbable sutures from operative sites.
• Orders, reconciles, and draws up medications for patient injections (including but not limited to botulinum toxin, steroid, and trigger point injections).
• Takes digital photographs with written consent from each patient. Downloads photographs onto portfolio program.
• May assist ophthalmology nurses in turnover of rooms between cases to ensure timely surgical case completion.

COORDINATION AND FOLLOW-UP

• Triages patient phone calls and works with the physicians, technicians, and other staff to provides appropriate high level patient care.
• Serves as a liaison between the oculoplastics clinic, other divisions within ophthalmology, a other departments at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and outside referring physicians to assure efficient provision of ancillary testing both within and out of the department.
• Completes pre-charting, oversees physician clinic templates to ensure proper scheduling, and facilitates patient flow and the smooth operation of the clinic.
• Coordinates and follows up on the scheduling of imaging and consults ordered by the physicians.
• Verifies complete and accurate billing documents and properly signed medical records.
• Prepares for clinic by obtaining outside records and imaging, uploading imaging, and confirming insurance authorization has been obtained as applicable. Serves as a point of contact for the oculoplastics service for referring ophthalmology and optometry offices in the region.
• Prepares for oncologic cases by obtaining imaging, clinical notes, pathologic reports, and pathology slides. Follows up on lab and pathology reports and communicates results to physicians on the oculoplastics service for ongoing follow-up and stewardship of comprehensive patient care.
• Assists in scheduling oculoplastic patients for clinical appointments, procedures, and post-operative appointments.

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLY MAINTANENCE

• Maintains equipment and instruments in both the clinical area and the procedural area, assuring them to be in good working order and check yearly calibrations.
• Maintains up-to-date supplies throughout the examination rooms and ophthalmology procedure area.
• Orders special surgical equipment and ensures availability for scheduled procedures.

OTHER

• Orients, trains, and educates physician trainees, technicians, and/or ancillary staff to the oculoplastics clinical area
• Maintains effective working relationships with faculty, staff, trainees, and students.
• Demonstrates respect for all members of the University community in the course of performing one’s duties and in response to administrators, supervisors, coworkers, and customers.
• Welcomes the richness of talent from a diverse workforce and recognizes that diversity brings stimulation, challenge, and energy that contribute to a productive and effective workplace.
• Represents the interests of the University and of unit leadership in the use of resources to meet service and productivity demands within unit goals and budgets; strives to promote continual process and quality improvement.
• Seeks opportunities to enhance one’s own professional knowledge, skills, and abilities as they relate to one’s current position and/or prepare for potential future roles and overall career development.

University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics—recognized as one of the best hospitals in the United States—is Iowa's only comprehensive academic medical center and a regional referral center. Each day more than 12,000 employees, students, and volunteers work together to provide safe, quality health care and excellent service for our patients. Simply stated, our mission is: Changing Medicine. Changing Lives.^®