Ophthalmic Assistant - 10452 - job 1 of 2

The mission of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is to work collaboratively toward the prevention of homelessness and the creation of lasting solutions for homeless and at-risk families, children, and individuals throughout Colorado. The Coalition advocates for and provides a continuum of housing and a variety of services to improve the health, well-being, and stability of those it serves.

Our Philosophy of Service: We believe all people have the right to adequate housing and health care. We work to remove the barriers that restrict access to these rights. Society benefits when adequate housing and health care are available to everyone. We create lasting solutions to homelessness by: 

·         Honoring the inherent dignity of those we serve, affirming their capabilities and fostering their hope that a better life is possible. 

·         Building strong, caring and trauma-informed communities through the integration of housing, health care and supportive services. 

·         Advocating for social and racial equity, inclusion and diversity, and challenging the status quo in partnership with our workforce members and those we serve. 

·         Achieving excellence through continuous quality assurance, innovation and professional development. 

·         Using resources judiciously and effectively.  

The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless seeks an Ophthalmic Assistant who generates important preliminary information to be used by Eye Clinic providers, reviews patient status, and performs medical tests. Other essential job duties include case management, assisting patients in overcoming barriers they may encounter in obtaining eye care, providing advocacy to ensure that patients receive necessary and, in some cases, sight-saving services. This position is located at 2130 Stout Street Denver, CO 80205.

NOTE: In order to ensure that our consumers receive the best possible care the candidate chosen to fill this position will be required to complete our internal credentialing and privileging process prior to a start date.  The credentialing and privileging timeline is dependent on the selected candidate's submission of documents necessary for clearance.  Please note that a start date will be scheduled once credentialing and privileging is complete.

• Choice of HMO or PPO health insurance coverage options: full-time employees contribute only 1% of their earnings for their own HMO health coverage and no more than 4% of their earnings for coverage of eligible dependents. We’re proud to offer same-and opposite-sex domestic partner coverage. 
• Choice of dental insurance or discount plan. 
• Vision insurance.  
• Flexible spending accounts for health care / dependent care / parking expenses. 
• Free basic life and AD&D insurance coverage. 
• Employee Assistance Program, a problem-solving resource available to you and your household members. 
• Dollar-for-dollar retirement plan matching contributions up to 5% of earnings with 3-year vesting. 
• Extensive paid time-off, including 9 holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and three weeks of vacation for new full-time employees in their first year. 

• Integrates Eye Care services in partnership with the Stout Street Health Center staff.
• Assists in scheduling appointments for eye exams and specialty services. Carefully triage patients routinely to determine risk level. Working knowledge of common symptoms is essential to determine scheduling priority.
• Clinically prepares patients for eye exams by obtaining health history, checking blood glucose, obtaining outside eye records, performing diagnostic testing, visual acuity, Visual Field Testing, Ocular Coherence Technology, Pachymetry, Tonometry and dilation of eyes.
• Performs Optical duties including assisting patients with frame selection, fitting, measurements, and submission through the Vision Web portal. Verifies completed frame orders for accuracy using Lensometer. Adjusts glasses and repairs frames.
• Establishes plan and submits referrals for specialty eye exams including Denver Health using EPIC software, UC Health, and other community partners. Assists patient in transportation and advocacy at appointments, obtains respite when necessary. Builds relationships with patients to support treatment and obtain improved eye health.
• Orders medications for patients through electronic health records based on the assessment and plan as directed by Eye Clinic providers.
• Records and completes ICD-10 billing route slips based on provider notes and submits documentation to Revenue Cycle in a timely manner.
• Forms positive relationships with volunteer providers, community providers, and various other vendors and donors to ensure excellent access to care for patients. This includes soliciting reduced cost and pro bono services, including specialty visits, surgeries, equipment, and eyeglass frames.
• Tracks high-risk return visits for patients with pathology and in need of follow up appointments, notifying them and scheduling timely visits.
• Coordinates care with medical providers based on eye visit findings, including patients with diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, neurological findings, labs, and cultures, etc.
• Educates patients and providing further explanation of eye diagnosis, treatment, and plan for care. Teaching patients how to properly instill medications, change bandages, insert eye and care for eye prosthesis.
• Prepares for and assist with in-office procedures.
• Order supplies, eye medications, cleans and stocks exam lanes.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) Certification preferred.  Training in qualified health care setting may replace certification preference.
• One year experience as an Ophthalmic Assistant is required.
• Experience in a health care setting, preferably eye care.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Employee must be able to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to safety or health of self or others. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Employee will perform job according to applied laws. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is committed to delivering services, making employment-related decisions, selecting volunteers, and selecting vendors without regard to age over 40, race, sex, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, military status, or any other applicable status protected by law.