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Ophthalmic Assistant Job Description

What does an Ophthalmic Assistant do?

An Ophthalmic Assistant plays a significant role in supporting ophthalmologists or optometrists in providing eye care to patients. They are responsible for conducting preliminary eye tests, such as taking patient history, measuring visual acuity, and performing various diagnostic tests. Additionally, they may assist with procedures, such as administering eye drops, taking photographs of the eye, or assisting with lasik surgeries. Ophthalmic assistants also maintain and clean equipment, provide patient education, and ensure that the office is running smoothly. Overall, their job is to provide excellent patient care and support the ophthalmologist or optometrist in their practice.

Our Ophthalmic Assistant job description includes the Ophthalmic Assistant responsibilities, duties, skills, education, qualifications, and experience.

Ophthalmic Assistant Example


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If you need an example job description for an Ophthalmic Assistant download the one below, alternatively we have many other Healthcare job description samples and a job description library with over 3000 job descriptions templates that you can download for free.

What does an Ophthalmic Assistant do?

Ophthalmic Assistant Job Summary

An ophthalmic assistant is a healthcare professional who works with ophthalmologists, optometrists and other healthcare workers to provide care and support to patients with eye problems. Ophthalmic assistants are responsible for performing a variety of tasks to ensure that patients receive the best possible care. These tasks include assisting with eye exams, taking patient histories, providing patient education, preparing patients for procedures and helping with minor surgical procedures. They also help with administrative tasks such as filing, scheduling appointments, answering telephones and maintaining patient records. Ophthalmic assistants must possess excellent customer service skills and a strong commitment to patient care.

Ophthalmic Assistant Role Purpose

The purpose of an Ophthalmic Assistant is to provide a high-standard of medical care to patients who have eye-related conditions. Their role includes performing preliminary tests, such as measuring visual acuity, tonometry and pupil reactions, as well as providing patient education and support. They may also assist with the fitting of contact lenses, spectacles, and other ophthalmic devices and provide guidance on the use of these items. Furthermore, they may be responsible for taking and recording patient details, including medical histories, as well as helping to prepare patients for examination.

Ophthalmic Assistant Role

An Ophthalmic Assistant is a person who provides administrative and clinical support to Ophthalmologists, Optometrists and other healthcare professionals. They may help in the examination and treatment of patients, assist with optical equipment and carry out administrative tasks.

Ophthalmic Assistant Duties

  • Provide patients with pre- and post-op instructions
  • Assist the Ophthalmologist during examinations and treatments
  • Administer eye medications as instructed
  • Measure and record patient's vital signs
  • Perform visual field testing and refraction tests
  • Maintain patient records and scheduling
  • Ensure safety and cleanliness of the clinical area

Ophthalmic Assistant Requirements

  • Excellent organisational and communication skills
  • Ability to work as part of a team
  • Proficiency using computer systems
  • Good customer service skills
  • Knowledge of ophthalmology practices and procedures

Ophthalmic Assistant Skills

  • Assisting with patient care and administration
  • Performing basic clinical duties, such as measuring intraocular pressure, testing visual acuity, and taking medical histories
  • Assisting ophthalmologists in the operating theatre and in clinical examinations
  • Ordering and maintaining supplies in the clinic and laboratory
  • Instructing patients on the use of contact lenses, eyeglasses and other eye care products

Ophthalmic Assistant Personal Traits

  • Empathy
  • Commitment to patient care
  • Organisational skills
  • Good communication skills
  • Attention to detail

How to write an Ophthalmic Assistant Job Advert

Use our job advert template to write a job advert for posting on job sites and job boards. Our job advertising templates are carefully created to help you reach your audience and beat the competition to the best talent.

A job description informs the reader about a job, whereas a job advert’s main objective is to sell the job opportunity to attract as many suitable applicants possible. A job advert maybe the first touch-point a candidate has with your company so it is important to create a great impression.

Job Advertisements should enticing, so considering using short, exciting language which get the reader’s attention.

How to write an Ophthalmic Assistant Job Description

To write a job description, we recommend starting with a job description template from our job description library, which contains examples for 800+ positions and professions. Our job description examples include a job summary with duties and responsibilities and skills and requirements, which can be personalised for your job vacancy.

Job Description Advice - Guidance on How to Personalise an Ophthalmic Assistant Job Specification

The hiring process and recruiting new employees to fill your key roles requires a degree of personalisation if you are to attract the best employees in a competitive employment market. The right person for a crucial role or more senior roles will likely have other employers targeting them. As your job description will be the first point of contact, you need to nail your pitch and provide the best possible service.

Job Description Tips - Help on formatting an Ophthalmic Assistant Job Specification

When creating your bespoke description and advert, you should cover and promote these points:

Job title: This should accurately reflect the role and include keywords that top talent might be using to search for jobs.

Job duties: The day to day duties, such as administrative tasks, which vary depending on the company and inform the candidate if they can complete the role.

Technical skills: These are the hard skills required through training, such as proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Soft skills: These include the interpersonal skills and general abilities the right candidates will possess. For example, the competency to prioritise multiple tasks, handle customer queries and customer complaints, work alone, or build a good relationship with coworkers.

The company's culture: Highlighting your company culture and values ensures employees thrive and find outstanding job satisfaction. Candidates that are not the right fit won’t waste their time completing the application process, meaning you can focus on qualified individuals and hire in a more timely manner.

Career progression: Including the career path will entice candidates looking for career growth. 

Training and development programs: Smaller companies may need employees with previous experience or provide educational assistance over internal training offered by larger organisations with more significant resources. 

Employee benefits: Compensation and benefits often fail to appear in job ads and while you may want to hold your cards close to your chest, failing to include them is a mistake. Consider answering common questions, such as working hours and paid leave. Researching the average salary for the role in these early stages will ensure you don’t waste your interviewer’s and the candidate’s time.

Skill gaps: Your company may need to bring in new skills beyond those required to complete the key role and duties. Thinking on an organisational level can be beneficial when contemplating skills diversity.

Legal requirements: Ensure your job advert and description does not ask for inappropriate or discriminatory personal details, such as age, marital status, or religion.

How to Hire an Ophthalmic Assistant

Once you have selected your Job Description download it or convert it to a Job Advert. From here you can post/advertise your job across our network of job boards. If you wish to use the job description for a CV Template click through for advice and Convert to a CV

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