Optometric Technician

Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin•Fitchburg, WI

117d

About The Position

The Optometric Technician provides optical dispensing and point-of-sale services for eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other merchandise using electronic recordkeeping and ordering systems. The role maintains a cost-effective and attractive retail environment that supports the sale of quality products, while also providing routine and urgent clinical care to support patients’ ocular health and general well-being. The position performs patient triage and scheduling, assists optometrists with preliminary testing, visual field testing, digital photography, and other tests, and triages phone calls and MyChart messages with appropriate documentation in the electronic record. The incumbent works under the general direction, guidance, and supervision of the Eye Care Center Manager in a medical office environment. Optometrists also provide direction and guidance to the technician. This is a 0.90 FTE position, working 36 hours per week, at Hatchery Hill Eye Care Retail. It is eligible for a $1,500 sign-on bonus, prorated based on FTE. The employee is expected to follow organizational and departmental policies, complete assignments in a timely manner, maintain high-quality work, represent the organization positively, and promote GHC-SCW’s mission, vision, and values.

Requirements

Associate’s degree from an accredited Optometric Technician/Assistance program, or equivalent training.
Possession of or eligibility for a valid Healthcare Provider CPR/AED certificate; certification must be obtained within four months of employment.
Ability to verify eyeglasses and contact lens prescriptions.
Ability to maintain knowledge of new lens and frame products and communicate product information accurately and effectively to patients.
Proficiency in frame styling, adjusting, repairing, and assembling eyewear.
Ability to enter orders and billing information in Eye Care Center software.
Ability to instruct patients on handling and use of contact lenses, and to verify and polish contact lenses.
Ability to perform routine patient testing, including acuities, tonometry, and visual fields, and other procedures as directed.
Ability to perform clinical procedures related to vision and ocular health evaluation and assist with ocular first aid.
Ability to perform optometric pre-screening tests and enter data into an electronic medical record.
Ability to perform automated visual field testing and retinal photography.
Good oral and written communication skills.
Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills, including cultural sensitivity and ability to work with a diverse patient population.
Ability to handle and triage patient inquiries and document them appropriately in the electronic record and Eye Care Center software.
Ability to maintain patient confidentiality and knowledge of, or ability to learn, HIPAA requirements.
Knowledge of medical records and ability to learn documentation requirements.
Knowledge of, or ability to learn, computer-based applications such as MS Office, electronic medical record systems, and scheduling applications.
Ability to lift boxes up to 15 pounds.
Ability to sit or stand for extended periods and use a CRT extensively.
Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with coworkers and the public.

Nice To Haves

Certification from one of the following: American Board of Opticianry (ABO) and National Contact Lens Examination (NCLE); American Optometric Association Certified Para-Optometric Technician (CPOT) or Certified Para-Optometric Assistant (CPOA); or Joint Commission of Allied Health Personnel (JCAHPO) Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) or Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT).
Experience with EPIC.
Ability to work some flexible hours to cover a work shift.

Responsibilities

Provide optical dispensing and point-of-sale services related to eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other merchandise.
Maintain a cost-effective, attractive retail environment conducive to selling quality products.
Provide routine and urgent clinical care to support patients’ ocular health and general well-being.
Perform patient triage and scheduling.
Assist optometrists with preliminary testing, visual field testing, digital photography, and other tests as needed.
Triage phone calls and MyChart messages and document appropriately in the electronic record.
Enter contact lens and eyeglasses orders and billing information in Eye Care Center software.
Instruct patients on handling and use of contact lenses; verify and polish contact lenses.
Perform routine patient testing and optometric pre-screening, including acuities, tonometry, visual fields, and retinal photography, and enter data into the electronic medical record.
Perform clinical procedures related to vision and ocular health evaluation and assist with ocular first-aid administration.
Handle and triage patient inquiries regarding appointments, eyeglasses, and contact lenses, documenting them in the electronic record and Eye Care Center software.
Follow organizational and departmental policies, maintain high-quality and timely work, and represent the organization positively.