EYE CARE COORDINATOR

SEARHC is a non-profit health consortium which serves the health interests of the residents of Southeast Alaska. We see our employees as our strongest assets. It is our priority to further their development and our organization by aiding in their professional advancement.

Working at SEARHC is more than a job, it’s a fulfilling career. We offer generous benefits, including retirement, paid time off, paid parental leave, health, dental, and vision benefits, life insurance and long and short-term disability, and more.

Position Summary:  

This position functions within the ELMC  Eye Clinic by assisting with eye care referrals, consult tracking, patient panel recalls, and vision insurance tasks.

This position works as part of a team consisting of Optometric Assistants, Optometrists and Ophthalmologists. The Eye Care Coordinator provides Case Management activities for eye care patients which may include surgical referrals, medical referrals, diabetics, glaucoma patients, high risk medication and other medical eye conditions. Tracks referrals and consults to ensure they are addressed in a timely manner. Assists with coordination of specialty clinics (ophthalmology and/or low vision) when requested. Also provides optical services and registration duties when needed.  Expected to provide excellent eye care services and exceptional customer service. Must be able to multitask and prioritize duties since multiple patients may require assistance at the same time. This position requires attention to detail.  Must be able to communicate clearly and accurately document in a timely manner. 

$23.69 - $28.43/hr DOE

1. Works closely with Referral Care Coordinators to facilitate patient referrals within SEARHC, IHS, or to outside agencies as requested by the provider. Reviews referrals for completeness and if necessary, requests additional information. Tracks the progress of referrals and outcomes of care and provides periodic status reports to providers on outstanding referrals. Serves as the primary contact for other Referral Care Coordinators and Discharge Coordinators regarding eye patients. Ensures referral records have been received and are available for providers’ review. 

2. The Eye Care Coordinator is expected to use problem-solving and critical thinking skills in meeting the needs of the patient and the provider. Patient needs should be documented and addressed or relayed to the appropriate provider in a prompt and efficient manner. 

3. Collaborates with the eye care providers to establish and maintain patient panels which may include diabetics, glaucoma patients, high risk medication and other medical eye conditions. Reviews patient panels periodically to identify patients due for exam based on provider recommendations and enters consults for the local optometry clinic for staff to schedule.

4. Reviews Consult reports for the eye clinics and tracks the progress of consults older than 30 days to determine why there is a delay and troubleshoot with the local clinics for the patient to be scheduled. Helps eye clinic staff identify completed consults that need to be closed.  

5. Assists with coordination of specialty clinics including ANMC ophthalmology clinics and the Alaska Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired Low Vision Clinic as requested. Maintain patient referrals for specialty clinics, assist with any required paperwork, ensures any patient referral paperwork for travel is completed as required. Obtain previous eye care records when needed and ensure any required tests are complete and available for provider review before the specialty clinic.
6. Maintains certifications and optometric assistant skills and competencies including eye screening, eye testing and optical dispensing. When available may help provide optometric assistant training and/or coverage to eye clinics within the consortium (including field travel), in a responsible, respectful, caring manner to promote the most effective staff relationships.
7. Finance Liaison.  Works with finance to address consortium optometry billing issues.  Reviews and adjusts optical hardware pricing as needed.  Follows up with finance discrepancies identified by Eye Clinics.  Assists with purchasing as needed.
8. May represent the Eye Clinic at requested meetings including but not limited to the consortium manager meetings and Department Head meetings, relaying information to relevant SEARHC eye care staff and coordinating the completion of assigned tasks.

Education:

• Bachelor Degree in Health, Education or Business field. Substitution for education is four years Medical Assistant/CNA experience

Experience:

• Demonstrated experience in leadership roles and leadership skills
• Four years optometric assistance experience preferred

Certifications and Licensure:

• Basic Life Support certification at hire, or must be obtained within 3 months of hire
• Certified Para-Optometric certification from the American Optometric Association preferred at hire, or must be obtained within 8 months of hire
• Alaska Dispensing Optician License preferred and if obtain PTO Tier will adjust from I to II.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of the eye care conditions and the ability to apply this in the working environment.
• Knowledge and demonstrated use of customer service principles.
• Knowledge and demonstrated use of safety and infection control principles.
• Clinical skills including a complete eye screening, eye testing and optical dispensing.
• Technical skills including use of equipment such as computers and eye equipment.
• Application of effective oral and written communications skills.
• Ability to multi-task and work independently in fast paced environment.
• Ability to maintain optometric assistant competencies.
• Ability to problem-solve and use conflict resolution skills to develop and maintain good working relations with other staff and departments.