F, Deirdre Williamson, COA
Winnabow,NC
Summary
Certified Ophthalmic Assistant with 23 years of experience providing optimal patient care and daily administrative operations of private physician offices and surgical specialty practices. Works collaboratively with care teams, and stays up-to-date on current standards and best practices.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Health Technician,Technology-based EyeCareServices
Veterans Health Administration VHA
01.2023 - Current
- Check eligibility of veterans for the TECS clinic by reviewing patient chart notes prior to accepting referrals from providers.
- Perform patient work ups efficiently and accurately in a location remote from the eye provider while under the supervision of an eye provider.
- Obtain patient physical history, to include chief complaint; reason for visit; pertinent signs/symptoms; past history both ocular and general; family history both ocular and general; social history; and review of medications and allergies, including current ocular prescription and non-prescription medications. Accurately test visual acuity at distance and near, with and without correction or with and without a pinhole.
- Perform basic refractometry utilizing an auto refraction or habitual glass prescription in the phoropter.
- Perform advanced tonometry and pupil evaluation, recording pupil size, shape, symmetry, reaction to light and accommodation, and any abnormalities, including relative afferent pupillary defect.
- Check & perform calibration of screening instruments prior to the procedure.
- Measure eyeglass prescription using manual or automated lensometer, recording sphere, cylinder, and axis in both plus and minus cylinder.
- Instill eye medications (i.e., drops or ointments, including anesthetic, dye, dilation, cycloplegic, or antibiotics.
- Perform corneal pachymetry using a handheld or ocular coherence tomography device to determine corneal thickness.
- Obtain diagnostic imaging on the Zeiss Clarus Fundus Camera and Ocular Coherence Tomographer.
- Perform patient screening and telephone triage for potentially urgent ocular conditions.
- Educate patients and legal authorized representatives in eye care, including preoperative and postoperative instructions.
- Ensure proper cleaning and disinfection; calibration, maintenance, backup, annual inventory and ordering of instruments, supplies, and equipment; obtain quotes as needed; and report needed repairs to biomedical engineering.
Head Technician, Certified Ophthalmic Assistant
Cape Fear Eye Institute, PA
05.2015 - 12.2022
- Acted as Head Technician in a 3 doctor practice that follows and treats a variety of ophthalmic conditions & diseases. Oversaw administrative duties (e.g., answering phones, scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, processing patients, billing & bookkeeping), delegated various tasks amongst other technicians, troubleshot & solved unplanned problems, and encouraged a "team atmosphere."
- Recorded patient ocular & medical histories in Electronic Healthcare Records systems and maintained strict patient confidentiality in compliance with HIPAA.
- Performed diagnostic procedures & ancillary tests such as Manual Refractions, Applanation Tonometry, Visual Field Testing, and ophthalmic ultrasounds (UBM, A-Scan, & Corneal Pachymetry.)
- Provided contact lens training for new fittings; ordered products as needed for office stock as well as revenue.
- Acted as liaison between patients & doctors, answering questions and/or handling any concerns they may have. Reacted calmly & effectively in emergency situations, and treated patients with compassion and respect.
- Scheduled referral appointments, radiology imaging orders, obtained pre-certifications for procedures, refilled Rx requests if appropriate & obtained prior authorizations if needed.
- Maintained relationships with Drug/Contact Lens/Product Representatives for updates with ongoing changes in the marketplace, as well as special offers for office supplies, etc.
- Procured, assembled, and mailed lecture & instructional materials-such as 100+ binders, flash drives containing corresponding handouts, injection kits, pig eyes, and anything else necessary-for CE courses taught by Dr. Fanelli.
Certified Ophthalmic Assistant
Carolina Glaucoma, PA
01.2010 - 05.2015
- Worked in a single doctor surgical ophthalmology practice, specializing in glaucoma.
- Prepared patients for their exams by recording ocular & medical histories, and performed diagnostic testing to collect data for the doctor using a variety of ophthalmic instruments/equipment.
- Consented patients for, and assisted physician with in-office laser & surgical procedures; administered topical and/or oral medications required for diagnostics, testing or treatment.
- Maintained EHR documentations of clinical screenings and doctor examinations by scribing & coding.
- Conducted physician referrals as well as acquiring pre-certifications on an as-needed basis.
- Triaged calls, scheduled appointments, refilled prescriptions for patients and obtained prior authorizations if needed.
Ophthalmic Assistant
Surgical Eye Care, PA
10.2003 - 06.2010
- Trained with five leading ophthalmology specialists in Wilmington, emphasizing in corneal & anterior segment, neuro-retinal, glaucoma and ocular plastics.
- Prepared patients for exams, took medical histories, and vital signs, performed ancillary diagnostic testing, and assisted physicians with in-office surgical procedures; acted as the Certified Engineer for the Wavelight Allegretto Laser during LASIK and PRK surgeries.
- Ordered and inventoried all clinical supplies through a variety of vendors, as well as developed relationships with account representatives & technical support
- Performed routine maintenance and calibrations on clinical equipment.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Major: Applied Communications; Minor: Psychology
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC12-2000
Skills
- Patient Education
- Written Communication
- HIPAA compliance
- Electronic Healthcare Record (EHR)
- Perform & Evaluate Diagnostic Testing
- Medical Billing & Coding
- Attention to Detail
- Adaptability
Timeline
Health Technician,Technology-based EyeCareServices
Veterans Health Administration VHA
01.2023 - Current
Head Technician, Certified Ophthalmic Assistant
Cape Fear Eye Institute, PA
05.2015 - 12.2022
Certified Ophthalmic Assistant
Carolina Glaucoma, PA
01.2010 - 05.2015
Ophthalmic Assistant
Surgical Eye Care, PA
10.2003 - 06.2010
Bachelor of Science - Major: Applied Communications; Minor: Psychology
Appalachian State University
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