Ophthalmic Assistant/Photographer, Optician

Shamil Merali

Ophthalmic Assistant/Photographer

To secure employment which would provide me an opportunity to utilize my education, experience, and professionalism to become a tremendous asset to my employer, thus challenging me to continuously expand my knowledge and remain current with the ever-evolving eye profession.

Work Experience

Ophthalmic Tech/Photographer

Retina Centre

January 2024 to Present

Vision, IOP with Tonopen, dilate, order diagnostic tests, HPI, update histories and meds; obtain consents; post-ops. Assist with intra-vitreal injection treatment and pre- and post-Laser. Learned Next Tech in 1.5 days to work-up patients on my own. Stock exam rooms and clean speculums. Responsible for Heidelberg and Optos sweeps when working as late tech. Work-up established patients in 4-6 min. Helped train a new hire. Upload patient documents into IntelliFile.

Ophthalmic Assistant

EVP

April 2023 to January 2024

• Measure visual functions of predominantly Hispanic patients and reconcile meds, dilate pupilas with gottas, obtain HPI with aid of a translator

• Cataract and Pterygia pre-testing with IOL Master, Zeiss Topographer, specular microscopy, Heidleberg OCT, A-scan and digital B-Scan, HVF and manifest refraction

• E-Scribe and Prior-Auths

• NextGen EMR

• Counselled patients on surgical options and obtained consents

• Triage patient messages on Excel

• Prepare cataract surgery packets for surgeon

Ophthalmic Assistant

Carter Eye/Surgery Centre

February 2022 to April 2023

• Cataract, LASIK, Lasek, YAG, Superficial Keratectomy and Pterygia pre- and post-ops

• Dilated fundus exams

• Wavescan, Pentacam, Zeiss OCT, Optos, manual and auto-refraction, Argos IOL Master, cell count, applanation tonometry, Tear Lab, BAT, Schirmer test, HVF, Rx neutralization

• Being trained to operate VISX Laser

• Certificate for iDesign Refractive Studio

• iMedicWare EMR

• Helped prep patients for surgery

• Responsible for maintaining and autoclaving surgical instruments

• Assist doctor with the instillation of punctual plugs

• Pulled medication history online

• Helped teach a new tech

• B-Scan

Optical Manager

JCPenney Optical

September 2020 to June 2021

Increased comp Average Dollar Ticket by almost $100, increased Eyeglass Protection Plans by 21.5%; maintained comp sales for non-Doctor day with less hours; hired and coached new associate; organized, pre-counted and conducted physical inventory; performed 2 people’s work, controlled payroll and shrink, improved professional standards of practice and Covid-19 safety, 25-47 recalls/day, filed Eye Med OON insurance via Anagram. Called “sharp” by Optometrist.

COA/Registered Optician

Clear Eye Care

February 2020 to September 2020

Pre-auth, calling-in Rx to pharmacy, checking V/A and C/L fit; insurance filing, ordering ophthalmic and C/L on EyeFinity, ABB Online, IOF, Vision Web; auto-refraction, Zeiss OCT, HVF, OPTOS including auto- fluorescence,m, Topo, NCT, iCare, dispensing, updating pt info in Revolution EHR, testing for Neuro Lens, pt communication with Solution Reach.

Utilized Transluminator to measure center of rotation, successfully bench-aligned Silhouette frames. Called “astute” by OD

Part-Time Third Key-Holder/Optician

Vision Works

February 2019 to June 2020

Responsible for opening and closing procedures, dispensing, and reducing re-makes by utilizing my vast experience and formal optical training, including with corneal reflex, base curves and optical centres. Top $alesperson for October & December, even as a part-timer, including highest net C/L $ales, units and premium A/R

Completed the 6-Months Final Inspection Certificate on my 7th day. Coached a Retail Supervisor and other 3rd-Keys.

Successfully assisted patients with frame selections, purchases, and transactions.

Certified Ophthalmic Assistant

Key-Whitman Eye Center

February 2017 to June 2018

• Reviewed previous records and worked-up cataract, YAG laser and glaucoma patients

• Including manifesting refraction, pachymetry, Optos, Tear Lab & HVF

• Pre-authorizations and re-fills on Emdeon

Ophthalmology Tech

ECT

October 2016 to February 2017

• Working-up patients & obtaining cataract & laser surgery consents

• Learned to refract, use Zeiss OCT, Topos, Pentacam, Orbscan, Pattern ERG & VEP

Optician/Contact Lens Manager

NVI

March 2015 to October 2016

• Responsible for Contact Lens Dept.

• Surpassed Eye Care Club budgets by up to 144% monthly, including # 1 in the District one month

• Managed a group of Optometric and Contact Lens Techs and Receptionists

• Promoted after 11 months as Third-Key

College Externship Paralegal

Mathur Law Offices

January 2015 to March 2015

• Filing, organizing files for litigation, document shredding Part-Time COA

Neuro Ophthalmology Clinic

October 2014 to March 2015

Auto-refraction, V/A, IOP, Octopus & HVF, Lancaster EOM, Ishihara colour test, Schirmer test, Diaton, dilation, presented patients on 2 iPads to ophthalmologist.

Certified Ophthalmic Assistant

UTSW Medical Center

October 2009 to April 2014

• Visual field testing, administer medications as directed by a physician Processed Autologous Blood Serums

• Record patients' histories, vital statistics & test results in EMR

Licensed Optician

COSTCO Optical-Toronto, ON

January 1998 to December 2007

Fitted Multi-focal, toric and spherical contact lenses and spectacles.

• added 35% to P & L

• executed weekly Salvage and Destroy Reports for the Manager. Licensed Optician

Independent Opticians-Toronto, ON

1986 to 1997

• Designed and modified Boston and Polycon RGPs, and also fitted soft lenses and spectacles

• Conducted research of AV 2 B.C.s

Education

Certificate in Lid Hygiene

BlephEx - Houston, TX

September 2019 to September 2019

Certificate in General Practice Paralegal

Kaplan College - Farmers Branch, TX

July 2014 to April 2015

Certificate in Ophthalmic Medical Assisting

American Medical Association - San Francisco, CA

January 2011 to October 2011

Certificate in MS Office

Academy of Learning - Richmond Hill, ON

1997

Certificate in Proficiency of Contact Lens Fitting University Health Network - Toronto, ON

September 1982 to May 1986

A.A.S. degree in Ophthalmic Dispensing

Georgian College - Barrie, ON

September 1982 to 1985

Skills

• Word

• Microsoft Excel

• retail sales

• Hand Tools

• Networking

• Sales

• Time Management

• Training

• Microsoft Office

• Filing

• Scheduling

• Bilingual

• Receptionist

• Data Entry (1 year)

• Customer Service

• Administrative Assistant (2 years)

• HIPPA (10+ years)

• Medical Records (7 years)

• Optical Experience (10+ years)

• Insurance Verification (2 years)

• Medical Terminology (10+ years)

• Patient Service Experience (10+ years)

• Microsoft Powerpoint (Less than 1 year)

• Medical Office Experience

• Oral and Written Communication skills (10+ years)

• Anatomy & Physiology of the Eye (10+ years)

• Ophthalmology Experience

• Computer Skills

• Manual Refraction (5 years)

• Applanation Tonometry (10+ years)

• Multilingual

• Medical Scheduling

• EMR Systems

• Management Experience (6 years)

• Medical Billing

• Patient Care

• Triage

• ICD-10 Coding (Less than 1 year)

• Epic

• Crystal EHR

• Vital Signs

• Microsoft Outlook

• Office Management

• CPT Coding

• Phone Etiquette

• Profit & Loss

• ICD-9

• Medical Coding

• Laboratory Experience

• Accounting

• Ophthalmology

• Photography

• Clerical Experience

• Documentation review

• High School Honours Diploma (4 years)

• OSHA

• English

• Communication skills

• Ophthalmic Appliance Sales (10+ years)

• HIPAA

• Intake

• Anatomy knowledge

• Physiology knowledge

• Contact Lens Fitting (10+ years)

• Ophthalmology

• EMR systems

• Medical terminology

• Medical records

• Epic

• HIPAA

• Data collection

• Documentation review

• Vital signs

• Anatomy knowledge

• Quality assurance

• Customer service

• Analysis skills

• Retail sales

• Teaching

• Sales

• Windows

• Accounting

• Physiology knowledge

• Profit & loss

• Laboratory experience

• Optical experience

• Management

• Optics

Languages

• Gujarati - Intermediate

• French - Beginner

• Spanish - Beginner

• English - Expert

Awards

Purple Rope Award

April 2015

Honours GPA

Certifications and Licenses

Certificate in MS Office, Academy of Learning

Certificate of Proficiency in Contact Lens Fitting, Board of Ophthalmic Dispensers

May 1992 to Present

Certified Ophthalmic Assistant

October 2011 to October 2021

Registered Optician

April 1986 to December 2007

College of Opticians of Ontario

Groups

Scleral Lens Education Society

Present

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