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This position has closed. Northwestern Medicine removed this listing from their careers page on Oct 5, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Ophthalmic Assistant-Ophthalmology Full time Days

Northwestern Medicine · Glenview, IL · Full time · Health Care Provider

Posted Sep 22, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 5, 2026

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

You need COA or COT certification through JCAHPO within one year. How will you prepare?

What they are checking: Whether they have a realistic plan to earn the required certification within a year, since the job depends on meeting that deadline.

What would you do

A patient says they suddenly see flashes and a curtain over one eye. What do you do?

What they are checking: Recognizing a possible retinal detachment and getting the physician right away.

How do you explain a test to a nervous older patient who has trouble hearing?

What they are checking: Whether they can explain a test patiently and clearly to an anxious patient, since a calm, informed patient gives more reliable results.

The clinic is running behind and several patients need workups. How do you keep things moving?

What they are checking: Whether they can keep clinic flow moving by prioritizing workups sensibly, because delays ripple through every patient waiting later in the day.

About the work

Walk me through a basic ophthalmic workup, from history to handing off to the physician.

What they are checking: The full workup sequence, including visual acuity, pupils, pressure and history.

How do you do refraction with retinoscopy, and how confident are you with it?

What they are checking: Honest skill level on one of the harder tests the posting lists.

Which tonometry methods have you used, and what can throw off a pressure reading?

What they are checking: Whether they measure eye pressure accurately and know what skews readings, since glaucoma decisions depend on those numbers being right.

How do you run a visual field test and make sure the results are reliable?

What they are checking: Whether they coach patients well during visual fields and can spot unreliable results, because bad fields mislead the physician's diagnosis.

Have you used OCT, IOL Master or fundus photography? Tell me about it.

What they are checking: Whether they have hands-on experience with the imaging equipment the posting names, or how quickly they could learn it well.

How do you scribe for a physician during a busy clinic?

What they are checking: Whether they can document quickly and accurately while the physician works, because scribing errors carry into the patient's medical record.

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The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

**This is a Full Time position at 40 hours per week located at the Glenview Outpatient clinic. Schedule is Monday through Friday with occasional Saturday’s. Required to obtain Certified Ophthalmic Assistant certification or Certified Ophthalmic Technician certification through JCAHPO within one year of hire date.** The Ophthalmic Assistant reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards. The Ophthalmic Assistant provides technical and clinical support and patient care for various physicians and sub-specialists by performing various tests to aid in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment and follow up of patients with various ophthalmic health conditions. This role supports physicians as their needs arise and acts as a liaison between patients and physicians by answering questions and providing educational assistance. RESPONSIBILITIES • Interviews patients and documents histories. • Performs technical workups, patient histories and special testing (Refractions w/ retinoscopy, Lensometry, Keratometry, Tonometry, Visual Fields, Amslers, Muscle Testing, Pupil Exams, Topography, OCT, IOL Master / Ascans, Fundus Photos). • Assists the physician with patient care, minor surgery, scribes. • Communicates with patients (follow-up care, surgeries, procedures, changes in schedule, symptoms, surgery scheduling, etc.), returns phone calls (patients, pharmacies). • Maintains and cleans equipment, reports equipment deficiencies to management. • May perform other duties as assigned. Required : • High School diploma or GED equivalent. • Basic Life Support (American Heart Association) certification. • Certified Ophthalmic Assistant certification through JCAHPO (applicants who have obtained a Doctor of Medicine degree are exempt from the COA requirement). • Zero (0) to two (2) years’ experience in a relevant role. Preferred : • Two years related experience (equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered). • Surgical assistance experience. Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status. Background Check Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act. Artificial Intelligence Disclosure Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. Benefits We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Click on or copy and paste URL to your browser to view detailed benefits information NorthwesternMedicine Career Page https://jobs.nm.org/benefits Please refer to the Benefits Eligibility by Employment Classification to determine benefits eligibility for job postings. If sign-on bonus is included in a job posting eligibility is as followed: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign-on bonus. Exception : New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position as a Registered Nurse at NM may be eligible.