Optometric Technician

Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin•Fitchburg, WI

About The Position

The Optometric Technician provides all optical dispensing services, and point of sale services related to eyeglasses, contact lenses and other merchandise using an electronic recording keeping and ordering system. This incumbent is responsible for maintaining a cost effective, attractive retail environment conducive to selling quality products. Additionally, the incumbent also provides routine and urgent clinical care to maintain ocular health and general well-being of the patient. Other duties include performing triage and scheduling of patients, assisting the optometrists in preliminary testing as well visual field testing, digital photography, triaging phone calls and My Chart messages with appropriate documentation in the electronic record, automated appointment scheduling, and other tests as needed. The incumbent works under general direction, guidance and supervision from the Eye Care Center Manager in a medical office environment. Additionally, Optometrists provide direction and guidance to the Optometric Technician.

Requirements

Associate’s degree from an accredited Optometric Technician/Assistance program; or equivalent training required.
Possession of or eligibility for a valid Healthcare Provider CPR/AED certificate is required. Employee must obtain certification within four (4) months of employment.
Ability to verify prescriptions for eyeglasses and contact lenses is required.
Proficiency in maintaining knowledge about new lens and frame products available and the ability to communicate this information accurately and effectively to the patient.
Proficiency of frame styling as well as adjusting, repairing, and assembling eyewear is required.
Ability to enter all contact and eyeglasses orders as well as billing information in the Eye Care Center software is required.
Ability to instruct patients on handling and use of all contact lenses is required.
Ability to verify and polish contact lenses is required.
Ability to perform routine patient testing such as acuities, tonometry, visual fields and other procedures as directed by the Optical Supervisor or the Optometrist
Ability to perform clinical procedures related to vision and ocular health evaluation and assist in ocular first-aid administration required.
Ability to perform all optometric pre-screening tests and appropriately enter all data into an electronic medical record.
Ability to perform automated visual field testing and retinal photography required.
Good oral and written communication skills are required.
Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills required. Ability to be culturally sensitive and to work with a diverse patient population.
Ability to effectively handle and triage patient inquiries regarding appointments, eyeglasses and contact lenses and document appropriately in the electronic record as well the Eye Care Center software is required.
Ability to maintain patient confidentiality required. Knowledge of or ability to learn HIPAA requirements.
Knowledge of medical records and ability to learn appropriate documentation requirements.
Knowledge of and/or ability to learn and use computer-based applications such as MS Office, electronic medical record systems and scheduling applications. Experience with EPIC is desirable.
Ability to lift boxes up to 15 pounds is required.
Ability to sit or stand for extended periods is required. Ability to use CRT extensively is required.
Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with co-workers and the public is required.

Nice To Haves

Certification preferred but not required: American Board of Opticianry (ABO): National Contact Lens Examination (NCLE); OR, 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).
Ability to work some flexible hours to cover a work shift is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provides all optical dispensing services, and point of sale services related to eyeglasses, contact lenses and other merchandise using an electronic recording keeping and ordering system.
Maintaining a cost effective, attractive retail environment conducive to selling quality products.
Provides routine and urgent clinical care to maintain ocular health and general well-being of the patient.
Performing triage and scheduling of patients
Assisting the optometrists in preliminary testing as well visual field testing, digital photography
Triaging phone calls and My Chart messages with appropriate documentation in the electronic record
Automated appointment scheduling, and other tests as needed.