Ophthalmic Assistant
Altru Health System
Grand Forks, ND, USA
USD 15.5-23.22 / hour
Posted on Sep 16, 2025
Everything we do is underscored by a why — and that why is one another.
Location:
Altru Professional Center4400 S. Washington St.Grand Forks, ND 58201Pay Range: $15.50 - $23.22Summary:
The Ophthalmic Assistant plays an important role on the healthcare team by providing ophthalmic, technical, and clerical support to assist in the patient care experience. This includes ensuring patients are provided a positive experience with seamless and excellent care throughout their visit. Thorough eye testing as requested by the providers, providing educational materials to patients, and working closely with providers to complete the care needed for the patients are the basics of this role.Essential Job Functions:
Contributes to the assessment of the health status of patients, including interactions with the patient’s family members by collecting basic subjective and objective data from observations and interviews, including taking vital signs, ocular history, present and past medical history, medications, and allergies and reporting and recording appropriately in the electronic health record.
Performs age appropriate ophthalmic examinations including the assessment of visual acuity (that includes distance/near, monocularly/binocularly, and pinhole, as well as perform visual and stereo acuity, color vision, basic ocular motility and assessment of pupils.
Performs and demonstrates competency in the following testing methods: manual and automated lensometry for single, bifocal and trifocal lenses; tonometry using Goldmann applanation, TonoPen and iCare methods; visual field testing using Goldman and Humphrey methods; OCT (ocular coherence tomography), autorefraction, pachymetry and A/B scanning.
Prepares rooms and patients for exams. Assists with procedures, per provider request. Demonstrates knowledge of location, set-up and use of equipment used in the eye department. Ensures equipment is properly maintained and in good working order. Follows all Infection Control guidelines for patient and staff safety, including equipment disinfection and sterilization procedures.
Administers eye drops under direct supervision of provider.
Answers phone calls, responds to inbasket messages, and takes action on faxes, relaying information in a prompt manner.
Provides patient educational materials including instruction on instilling ocular medication, wearing of eye patches, contact lens use, and pre/post-op information.
Demonstrates competency and ability to carry out department specific functions in accordance with the eye department’s standard of care, policies and procedures. Performs other duties as assigned to meet the needs of the department/organization.
Performs other duties as assigned or needed to meet the needs of the department/organization.
Certification:
Nurse Aide | North Dakota Board of Health | Within 4 Months of Start Date | HR Primary Sources
Driver's License with Acceptable Driving Record | Driver's License - Current State Licensed | Prior to Start Date | HR Primary Sources
Basic Life Support (BLS) | American Heart Association (AHA) | Within 90 days of Start Date | Learning Management System
Certified Ophthalmic Assistant | Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel | Preferred | HR Primary Sources
Unlicensed Assistive Person - Med Assistant (UAP/MED III) | North Dakota Board of Nursing | Preferred | HR Primary Sources
Language Requirements:
This position requires proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English to ensure effective communication in the workplace and with patients, families, and team members.
Physical Demands :
• Sit: Occasionally (5-33%)• Stand: Frequently (34-66%)• Walk: Frequently (34-66%)• Stoop/Bend: Frequently (34-66%)• Reach: Frequently (34-66%)• Crawl: Not Applicable• Squat/Crouch/Kneel: Rarely (1-4%)• Twist: Occasionally (5-33%)• Handle/Finger/Feel: Continuously (67-100%)• See: Continuously (67-100%)• Hear: Continuously (67-100%)Weight Demands:
• Lift -Floor to Waist Level: Medium (20-40 pounds)• Carry: Medium (20-40 pounds)• Push/Pull: Medium (20-40 pounds)• Slide/Transfer: Medium (20-40 pounds)Working Conditions:
• Indoor: Continuously (67-100%)• Outdoor: Not Applicable• Extreme Temperature: Not ApplicableDriving Requirement Definitions:
- Professional Drivers: Persons who drive as their main responsibility OR transport passengers or hazardous materials.
- Frequent Drivers: Persons whose main responsibility is not driving, but drive daily or almost daily.
- Occasional Drivers: Persons who drive from once per month to as frequently as once per week.
- Infrequent Drivers: Persons who are generally not expected to drive.
Driving Requirement for this position:
Occasional DriverReference ID: R6432Making a real difference. For one another.
To take the best care of our patients and community — including friends, family, and neighbors — we need people who are committed to growth, excellence, and one another.
At Altru, you’ll find a culture where support and teamwork are at the heart of what we do. You’ll have opportunities to advance your skills, work with the latest technologies, experience the fulfillment that comes from giving back, and take your career wherever you want it to go.
Join our team and be a part of a small community with a big heart.
Altru offers a comprehensive benefits package to its full- and part-time employees. Excellent benefits include a health plan and 401(k) retirement plan. Other benefits include a dental plan, vision plan, life and disability insurance, education assistance, paid time off (PTO)
