Tara Brinkley
Sanford,NC
Summary
Certified ophthalmic professional with advanced diagnostic and coding ability (COA, ROUB, OCS, OSC) and a proven record of supporting ophthalmologists in clinical and surgical environments. Eager to apply this knowledge to a sales role focused on fostering trusted partnerships, educating staff, and driving product adoption in the eye-care industry.
Innovative technology professional with several years of diverse experience. Skilled in enhancing systems and aligning technical solutions with business objectives. Proven success in leading projects from start to finish and contributing to organizational growth and success.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Certified Ophthalmic Assistant / Technician
Carolina Eye Associates
Pinehurst, NC
03.2019 - 02.2025
- Perform comprehensive ophthalmic testing including visual fields, OCT, fundus photography, A-scans, and IOL Master biometry.
- Help in minor surgical procedures and pre/post-operative patient care.
- Manage clinic flow across multiple physicians and offices, ensuring efficient patient throughput.
- Train and mentor new technicians; support certification and compliance with COA standards.
- Travel regularly between multiple clinic locations across North Carolina to support satellite offices.
- Assisted in patient examination and preparation for ophthalmic procedures.
- Streamlined workflow in a fast-paced environment, coordinating tasks with fellow team members for optimal productivity.
Ophthalmic Medical Assistant
Raleigh Ophthalmology
Raleigh, NC
10.2022 - 03.2023
- Conducted patient workups including visual acuities, refractions, and diagnostic imaging.
- Supported ophthalmologists in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
- Handled patient education and follow-up coordination.
- Maintained electronic health records and aided in clinical workflow optimization.
- Assisted ophthalmologists during surgical procedures, ensuring proper equipment and supplies were available.
- Implemented quality control measures to maintain high standards in diagnostic testing accuracy.
- Provided exceptional customer service to all patients, addressing concerns promptly and compassionately.
- Performed thorough medical history assessments as part of the pre-examination process for new patients.
- Explained pre- and post-operative procedures to patients and carefully reviewed surgical plans.
- Streamlined inventory management processes, reducing waste while maintaining necessary supplies for daily operations.
- Enhanced clinic operations by assisting with patient scheduling, billing, and recordkeeping.
- Demonstrated excellent communication skills when liaising between patients, physicians, and insurance companies regarding treatment options and costs.
Ophthalmic Technician/Surgery Scheduler
Central Carolina ENT
Sanford NC
03.2013 - 12.2014
- Provided diagnostic testing and helped in medical/surgical ophthalmic procedures.
- Supported retina, glaucoma, and cataract specialists.
- Coordinated patient scheduling and chart preparation.
- Scheduled surgeries efficiently using electronic health record systems.
- Coordinated with medical staff to optimize patient flow and resource allocation.
- Verified insurance eligibility and obtained pre-authorizations for procedures.
- Demonstrated adaptability in managing last-minute schedule changes while minimizing disruption to overall workflow.
- Organized all necessary documentation for successful completion of medical audits related to surgery scheduling practices.
Office Manager
Sanford Cardiology PLC.
Sanford NC
03.2010 - 03.2013
- Performed full workups for general and specialty ophthalmology.
- Aided in pre- and post-operative care for cataract and refractive surgery patients.
- Maintained patient flow and supported physicians in a multi-location practice.
- Coordinated office operations and maintained efficient workflow across departments.
- Developed and implemented streamlined processes to enhance administrative efficiency.
- Facilitated communication between teams to improve project collaboration and execution.
- Assisted in budget preparation and expense tracking for departmental activities.
- Trained new staff on administrative procedures, fostering a supportive work environment.
- Answered phone calls and responded to inquiries from customers, vendors and other external contacts.
- Maintained a well-organized filing system to ensure easy access to important records and documents.
- Proactively identified opportunities for improving administrative processes, implementing changes that led to increased efficiency and effectiveness.
Education
Certified Ophthalmic Assistant - COA, Registered Ophthalmic Ultrasound, ROUB, Ophthalmic Coding Specialist, OCS, Ophthalmic Scribe Certified, OSC
Skills
- Certified ophthalmic professional (COA, ROUB, OCS, OSC) with over a decade of clinical experience in diagnostics, imaging, and surgical support
- Strong communicator skilled in building relationships with physicians and staff, training teams, and educating patients
- Highly adaptable and accustomed to extensive regional and international travel, coordinating operations across more than a dozen offices
- Combines deep clinical knowledge with organizational and interpersonal strengths to support product education, practice growth, and patient care excellence
- Surgical assisting
- Visual field testing
- Motivation and initiative
- Corneal topography
- Tonometry proficiency
- Diagnostic testing
Certification
- Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA)
- Registered Ophthalmic Ultra-Sound Bio (ROUB)
- Ophthalmic Coding Specialist (OCS)
- Ophthalmic Scribe (OSC)
COMMUNICATION
- Regularly collaborated with pharmaceutical and medical device representatives (including Alcon) to discuss and implement new instruments, lenses, and ophthalmic products.
- Strong understanding of industry sales processes, vendor relationships, and clinic-based product integration.
- Communicates effectively with physicians, staff, and vendors to coordinate product trials, education sessions, and supply needs.
- Builds rapport easily and maintains professional relationships across multiple offices and departments.
Timeline
Ophthalmic Medical Assistant
Raleigh Ophthalmology
10.2022 - 03.2023
Certified Ophthalmic Assistant / Technician
Carolina Eye Associates
03.2019 - 02.2025
Ophthalmic Technician/Surgery Scheduler
Central Carolina ENT
03.2013 - 12.2014
Office Manager
Sanford Cardiology PLC.
03.2010 - 03.2013