Ophthalmic Assistant, Clinical Research Unit

Ophthalmic Assistant - Department of Ophthalmology

Why UT Southwestern?

With over 75 years of excellence in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, UT Southwestern is committed to excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion. As a world-renowned medical and research center, we strive to provide the best possible care, resources, and benefits for our valued patients and employees. With over 20,000 employees, we are committed to continuing our growth with the best professionals in the healthcare industry. We invite you to be a part of the UT Southwestern team where you'll discover teamwork, professionalism, and consistent opportunities for growth. Join UT Southwestern to help with our mission to educate, discover and heal through our life-changing research!

Job Summary

The Ophthalmic Assistant position will be based at the Clinical Research Unit (CRU) of the Ophthalmology department, focusing on research duties. Key responsibilities include performing ophthalmic examinations according to research protocols, coordinating research studies and trials, performing protocol-related procedures under the guidance of the Clinical Research Coordinator and Manager, and assisting with research study documentation and IRB submissions. The assistant will also enter research data into the electronic data capture system (EDC), ensure the certification of equipment and rooms as required by study sponsors, and maintain patient Electronic Health Records and regulatory binders. Responsibilities also include adhering to HIPAA regulations, maintaining medical supplies, troubleshooting equipment issues, and staying updated with advancements in ophthalmology. Additionally, duties include analyzing and coordinating subspecialties, reviewing physicians' schedules, handling referrals, and obtaining medical records. The assistant will establish goals to enhance patient services, recommend improvements in CRU flow and patient experience, and assist with in-basket messages and related documents. The assistant will also help create and maintain patient records, schedule visits, and provide training to new hires. Other duties may be assigned as necessary to meet the needs of the CRU and clinic.

Experience and Education

• High school graduation plus completion of basic and advanced home-study courses approved by the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology, and two years of experience including one year in medical or related field.

• Prefer completion of the home study course for Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology within one year of hire date.

Job Duties

• Assists ophthalmologists in treatment and care of patients.

• Opens, stocks, cleans, and closes patient rooms.

• Obtains basic medical history and ocular complaints from patients

• Measures patients' glasses.

• Writes and calls in Rx prescriptions to pharmacies as directed by ophthalmologists.

• Tests ocular functions, including visual acuity, muscle balance, and intra-ocular tension.

• Administers eye and oral medications as directed by ophthalmologists.

• Changes eye dressings and instructs patients and/or caregivers in home care.

• Maintains ophthalmic instruments by sterilizing surgical instruments and cleaning exposed lenses, mirrors, and prisms and replacing burned out bulbs and batteries.

• Duties performed may include one or more of the following core functions: a) Directly interacting with or caring for patients; b) Directly interacting with or caring for human-subjects research participants; c) Regularly maintaining, modifying, releasing or similarly affecting patient records (including patient financial records); or d) Regularly maintaining, modifying, releasing or similarly affecting human-subjects research records.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

To learn more about the benefits UT Southwestern offers visit https://www.utsouthwestern.edu/employees/hr-resources/

For general COVID-19 information, applicants should visit https://www.utsouthwestern.edu/covid-19/work-on-campus/

This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code §51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.

UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.