Job Description

The Ophthalmic Assistant in the Head & Neck Center at MD Anderson Cancer Center demonstrates competence, caring and compassion when performing technical and supportive patient care skills, incorporating the patients plan of care and following approved policy and procedures.

Most new patients who come to MD Anderson every year are treated in one of our specialized cancer care centers or clinics, which embody the multidisciplinary, team approach to cancer care that has become an MD Anderson trademark. MD Andersons Head and Neck Center has a remarkable depth of expertise gained by seeing more than 50,000 patients a year with cancers and benign tumors of the head and neck. The Ophthalmology Clinic is dedicated to delivering multidisciplinary specialized ophthalmic care to patients with eye cancer and ocular complications of cancer therapy.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is ranked the nations top hospital for cancer care by U.S. News & World Reports Best Hospitals. MD Andersons mission is to eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation and the world through exceptional programs that integrate patient care, research and prevention. Our mission also includes education for undergraduate and graduate students, trainees, professionals, employees and the public.
JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

Patient Care

* Demonstrates competence, caring and compassion when performing technical and supportive patient care skills, incorporating the patients plan of care and following approved policy and procedures.
* Provides explanation when obtaining vital signs or other technical skills or ocular assessment.
* Uses aseptic technique and infection control measures in the performance of duties.
* Prepares and assists patients undergoing treatment, examinations and procedures.
* Recognizes patient cares priorities, treatment plan, objectives and potential crises.
* Recognizes and communicates patient needs and unusual occurrences with physicians and patients/families.

Accurately documents and communicates interventions and measurements

* Communicates relevant information to appropriate health care provider.
* Under supervision, completes accurate, concise and legible documentation on patient hospital record.

Initiates patient work-ups in the ophthalmology clinic in a timely manner. These work-ups may include any of the following:

* Visual acuities numbers, letters.
* Pin-hole acuities.
* Derive past medical and ocular history.
* Confrontational visual field.
* Amsler automated and manual lensometry.
* Amsler Grid Testing.
* Pupil evaluation and iris assessment.
* Recognize extra ocular muscle imbalance.
* Steropsis testing.
* Schirmers tear test.
* Estimation of anterior chamber depth.
* Automated perimetry.
* Goldmann tonometry.
* Tono-Pen tonometry.
* Color vision testing (Ishihara).
* Refactometry (plus cylinder utilizing both the phoropter and trial frames).
* Use of distometer.
* Reinforcement of patient education.
* Fundus, external photos.
* Performs keratrometry, photokeratometry, and corneal topography.
* Performs A scan Ultrasound Biometry.
* Performs computer entry and analysis of intraocular lens calculations and distributes results according to policy.

Assists in the maintenance of equipment, supplies and the environment

* Assists in maintaining a clean, safe and therapeutic environment.
* Checks equipment/supplies for expiration dates, electrical safety tags, intactness and usability.
* Cleans equipment and returns to proper place.
* Reports equipment and supplies needing replaced or repaired.
* Stocks rooms, carts, cabinets, etc. as assigned/requested.

Other duties as assigned

COMPETENCIES

* Analytical Thinking - Gather relevant information systematically; break down problems into simple components; make sound decisions.
* Oral Communication - Express ideas clearly and concisely in groups and one-to-one conversations; create an environment with open channels of communication.
* Equipment Usage and Safety Preparedness - Employee maintains expectations for safety preparedness, including but not limited to: Orientation to new equipment, Employee Education Event, CPR training, fire drills.
* Technical/Functional Expertise - Demonstrate technical proficiency required to do the job; possess up-to-date knowledge in the profession; provide technical expertise to others.

Service Orientation - Provide service to our stakeholders, including patients, caregivers, colleagues and each other, in a safe, courteous, accountable, efficient and innovative manner to include:

* Promoting inclusiveness and collegiality that demonstrates respect and professionalism to our stakeholders at all times
* Modeling safe, ethical behavior that mitigates risk to the institution through sound business practices, and adherence to MD Andersons Standards of Conduct, institutional policies and procedures
* Responding to requests in a timely manner while proactively communicating expectations for procedures, service arrival, or project deliverables to stakeholders
* Using the steps to HEAL (Hear, Empathize, Address and Learn) the relationship when service recovery is needed

Customer Focus - Builds and maintains customer satisfaction with the products and services offered by the organization through skills demonstrated in communication, personalization of interaction, regulation of emotions, and proactive problem solving. Performance Statement Examples:

* Presents a cheerful, positive manner with customers either on the phone or in person. Shows interest in, actively listens to and responds in a clear and timely manner to customer's expressed needs.
* Focuses on the customer's results, rather than own. Goes beyond basic service expectations to help customers implement complete solutions through personalized service that anticipates the customer's unspoken needs.
* Delivers services when and where the customer needs them. Explores options when unable to deliver a requested product or service, and pursues solutions until the customer is satisfied by addressing the root cause of the issue. Problem solves with patient, family member, care giver or clinical team to aid in proactively resolving issues and concerns.
* Provides to customers status reports and progress updates. Seeks customer feedback and ensures needs have been fully met.
* Talks to customers (internal and external) with a pleasant tone to find out what they need and how satisfied they are with the service. Remains in control of own reactions and responds in a manner that demonstrates appropriate nonverbal cues and complements the customer's emotions in the situation. Recognizes when its is necessary to escalate situations to leadership to ensure customer satisfaction.

Required Education: High school diploma or equivalent.

Required Experience: Two years related experience.

All of the following: Certification as an Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) from the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology. Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association. It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html

Additional Information

* Requisition ID: 137527
* Employment Status: Full-Time
* Employee Status: Regular
* FLSA: non-exempt, eligible for overtime, and is subject to the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
* Work Week: Evening/Night
* Fund Type: Hard
* Pivotal Position: No
* Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 44,000
* Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 55,000
* Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 66,000
* Science Jobs: No