Location & Practice Overview

This Certified Ophthalmic Assistant position is based in Austin, Texas, within the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Texas at Austin. The role is associated with the university’s academic clinical environment and the Mitchel and Shannon Wong Eye Institute at UT Health Austin. The position supports outpatient ophthalmology operations, where clinical staff help coordinate examination workflows and maintain accurate patient information. The listed clinical affiliation connects the position with a university-based healthcare setting rather than a retail optical environment. The exact street address is not specified in the provided vacancy.

City & State Austin, Texas
Department Department of Ophthalmology
Practice Type University-based outpatient ophthalmology
Clinical Affiliation Mitchel and Shannon Wong Eye Institute, UT Health Austin

Responsibilities

  • Prepare patients for ophthalmic examinations and explain routine testing procedures.
  • Obtain preliminary vision measurements, including visual acuity and basic refraction data.
  • Collect and document relevant medical histories and vision-related information in clinical records.
  • Assist ophthalmologists during examinations and treatments within the assigned scope of practice, including administering eye drops or medications as directed.
  • Operate designated ophthalmic equipment and prepare examination rooms and instruments for clinical use.
  • Provide basic eye-care instructions, including contact lens use and care when appropriate, and support scheduling, inventory, billing-related workflows, and onboarding of new clinical staff as assigned.

Daily work centers on accurate preparatory data collection and direct clinical support so ophthalmologists can complete assessments efficiently.

Qualifications & Requirements

Required and preferred qualifications are listed separately so candidates can clearly distinguish mandatory credentials from additional advantages.

Required Education
High school diploma or GED
Required Certification
Current Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) certification from JCAHPO
Required Experience
At least one year of experience in a clinical or healthcare setting
Preferred
Two years of ophthalmic experience; associate degree; COT or COMT credentials
Substitution Note
Relevant education and experience may be considered under the employer’s stated qualification-substitution rules

Compensation & Benefits

The advertised starting salary is $48,659 per year, with compensation dependent on the candidate’s qualifications. The position is classified as non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Eligible employees may participate in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the applicable university and retirement-plan requirements. The listed compensation information does not specify a complete benefits package, bonus structure, or additional monetary incentives. Candidates should use the stated annual salary as the published starting figure rather than interpret it as a guaranteed final offer for every applicant.

  • Starting salary: $48,659 per year, dependent on qualifications
  • Non-exempt FLSA classification
  • Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) eligibility for qualifying staff

Schedule & Work Environment

Weekly Hours 40 hours per week
Employment Status Full-time, expected to continue
Work Location On-site clinical setting
Start Availability Earliest start date immediately
Environmental Conditions Possible exposure to communicable diseases, blood-borne pathogens, and radiation; standard office and ophthalmic equipment

Patient Population & Clinical Setting

The role supports patients attending outpatient ophthalmology appointments in an academic clinical environment. Patient interactions may include preparation for examinations, collection of preliminary clinical information, and guidance on routine eye-care procedures. The assistant works within a care team in which ophthalmologists conduct clinical assessments and determine treatment. The supplied vacancy does not establish a definitive age range for every patient seen in this specific position, so an age restriction should not be presented as a confirmed job requirement. The focus of this section is the patient-facing setting and the assistant’s place within the care process.

Encounter Setting Outpatient ophthalmology appointments
Care Team Role Supports ophthalmologist-led assessments
Interaction Focus Examination preparation and preliminary information collection
Clinical Environment Academic outpatient clinic

Clinical Focus & Key Services

The clinical focus is on supporting ophthalmic assessment through preliminary vision data, diagnostic equipment, and patient preparation. Relevant service areas include visual acuity measurement, basic refraction, collection of examination information, and assistance with clinician-directed procedures. Patient education may include instructions for appropriate contact lens use and care. These activities help the clinical team obtain organized preliminary information before the ophthalmologist’s assessment. The section describes the types of clinical support associated with the role rather than repeating the full operational checklist or suggesting that the assistant independently diagnoses eye conditions.

Vision Data Collection Visual acuity measurement and basic refraction
Diagnostic Support Use of designated ophthalmic equipment for examination data
Procedure Support Assistance during clinician-directed examinations and treatments
Patient Guidance Instruction on contact lens use and routine eye-care practices

Role Highlights

The position is best suited to a candidate who values structured clinical workflows, accurate documentation, and direct involvement in eye-care services.

  • Work within a university-associated ophthalmology department
  • Collaborate with ophthalmologists and other clinical team members during outpatient care
  • Combine patient-facing support with the collection and documentation of preliminary clinical information
  • Use ophthalmic equipment as part of routine examination workflows
  • Contribute to team operations through assigned inventory, scheduling, and staff-orientation tasks

About University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas at Austin is a public research university in Austin, Texas. The vacancy identifies the Department of Ophthalmology and its association with Dell Medical School and the Mitchel and Shannon Wong Eye Institute at UT Health Austin. This institutional context places the position within a university-connected healthcare environment. The employer information is relevant to candidates seeking a clinical support role associated with an academic organization. The supplied vacancy refers to the Health Transformation Building as a clinical location but does not provide a complete street address for the specific position.

Organization Type Public research university
Medical School Dell Medical School
Clinical Institute Mitchel and Shannon Wong Eye Institute, UT Health Austin
Location Reference Health Transformation Building (street address not fully specified)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is COA certification required, or can experience replace it?
Current Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) certification from JCAHPO is listed as a required qualification. Relevant education and experience may be considered under the employer’s substitution rules, but the vacancy specifically names the COA credential as required.
Does this role include training new staff?
Yes. Assisting with the onboarding and training of new ophthalmic assistants and other clinical staff is included among the assigned responsibilities.
What application materials are required?
Applicants must submit a resume/CV, a letter of interest, and three work references with contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor.
Is a background check required?
A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.
Does the position qualify for the Teacher Retirement System of Texas?
Eligible employees may participate in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the applicable university and retirement-plan requirements for hours and length of service.
How should current University of Texas employees apply?
Current university employees and contingent workers must apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs and updating their Professional Profile before submitting the application.

Certified Ophthalmic Assistant in Austin, TX

This Certified Ophthalmic Assistant job in Austin, TX, offers a full-time clinical support role with the University of Texas at Austin’s Department of Ophthalmology. The starting salary is $48,659 per year, with the final amount dependent on qualifications. Candidates need a high school diploma or GED, current JCAHPO COA certification, and at least one year of clinical or healthcare experience. Two years of ophthalmic experience and an associate degree are preferred. The position offers a 40-hour workweek and potential eligibility for the Teacher Retirement System of Texas, subject to applicable requirements.

Career Opportunities for Certified Ophthalmic Assistant in Austin, TX

This position is suited to ophthalmic assistants who hold JCAHPO COA certification and want to apply their clinical experience in a university-associated healthcare setting. Applicants should be comfortable documenting patient information, operating designated ophthalmic equipment, communicating examination instructions, and coordinating with clinical colleagues. Experience in an eye-care practice can help candidates demonstrate familiarity with ophthalmic workflows, while broader healthcare experience may meet the stated minimum experience requirement. Applicants with COT or COMT credentials, an associate degree, or two years of ophthalmic experience match the employer’s preferred qualifications.

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