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Duke Health

Certified Ophthalmic Assistant at Duke Health

Duke Health No longer available

Job Description

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

 

Duke Health Integrated Practice

Duke Health Integrated Practice comprises more than 110 primary and specialty outpatient clinics, extending the reach of the Duke Health mission across the state of North Carolina.


 

5,000 Commitment Bonus for qualifying candidates!

 

JOB LOCATION

Duke Eye Center of South Durham - 234 Crooked Creek Pkwy, Durham, NC

 

JOB SUMMARY

We are seeking a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant at our eye center in Durham, NC to assist physicians and other technical support colleagues in performing diagnostic tests necessary for evaluation of patient eye problems. 

 

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Perform preliminary screening examinations for physician review including, but not limited to, visual acuity, history taking, tonometry, lensometry, motility, pupil assessment, visual fields, simple color vision tests.
  • Direct the flow of patients; obtain medical and personal data for patient charts; screen patients for conditions; arrange for laboratory and other tests, ophthalmic photography, outpatient studies and patient admissions and surgery as requested by physician
  • Examine the cornea, lens, and anterior chamber of the eye using a slit lamp and note variations from normal. 
  • May administer dilation or anesthetic drops or assist with patient contact lens insertion and removal training.
  • Alleviate patient and family concerns by explaining diagnostic procedures and method of treatment. 
  • Complete stocking and maintenance functions and maintain the physical environment of exam and procedure rooms. 
  • Perform various clerical functions, including assisting with appointments and telephone call screening activities and filing test results, forms, and letters into medical records.
  • Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

 

JOB ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • Work requires an education background generally equivalent to a high school education.
  • Work requires 1 year of directly related experience in Ophthalmology or Optometry; OR, graduation from an accredited Ophthalmic Technician program.
  • Work requires certification as a certified Ophthalmic Assistant by the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO)
  • Must have BLS Certification

 


Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, genderexpression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.



Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.


Essential Physical Job Functions:

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Typical entry-level pay: $37k for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians nationally

National salary averages
Expected entry-level
$37k
Entry
Mid
Senior
Expected
$34k Market range (10th-90th percentile) $61k

Pay increases slowly with experience in this field.

Mid-level roles pay ~19% more—room to grow.

Raises may be modest; negotiate well upfront.

Hot hiring, constrained wages

Employers are hiring actively, but pay hasn't caught up with demand. Focus on competing offers and non-salary benefits.

Hiring leverage
Candidate-favored
Wage leverage âš  Disconnect
Limited
Mobility
Good mobility
Durability
Somewhat fragile

Who this leverage applies to

Stronger for: Senior candidates with options
Weaker for: Entry-level candidates, Career switchers

Where to negotiate

Base salary
Sign-on bonus
Title / level
Remote flexibility
Scope & responsibility
Start date / PTO

Likely Possible Unlikely

Watch out for

Wage disconnect: Hiring is active but pay hasn't responded—negotiate on other terms.

Use competing offers and timing to your advantage.

Does this path compound?

Job Growth →
High churn
Growth, flat pay
🚀 Compound
Growth + pay upside
⚠️ Plateau
Limited growth
Specialize
Experts earn more
Pay Upside →
High turnover market

Many openings, but pay doesn't scale as much with experience.

+20%
10yr growth
Typical: Postsecondary nondegree award

Good time to build expertise—demand will chase supply.

Labor data: BLS 2024