Licensed Optician

Primary Objective

The Licensed Optician provides optical services to our patients including selection ordering fitting and troubleshooting products while overseeing a regional Optical location and providing training for nonlicensed staff.

Essential Functions

• Greets all office guests in a professional and friendly manner

• Utilize Point of Sale and EMR software to input patient eyewear orders

• Expedite patient frame and lens selection by informing patient of options

• Verification of prescription and measurements of eyewear received from optical laboratories and referring doctor

• Operate optical equipment to facilitate manufacture of eyewear including lensometer pupilometer progressive lens identifiers and distant ruler

• Troubleshoot eyewear to eliminate patient concerns and adjust accordingly

• Provide training to nonlicensed staff using their knowledge opticianry

• Educate patients on frame and lens options that suit their unique needs

• Oversee an Optical dispensary including managing vendor relations and frame inventory

• Evaluate and manage patient concerns with any issues with eyewear

• Maintain their State Board Optical license not allowing it to lapse

• Ability to meet the physical and mental demands of the position

• The ability to work onsite and travel to other locations when needed

• Predictable reliable and prompt attendance

• Maintain OSHA standards to ensure a sterilized and safe environment

• All other duties as assigned

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent Customer Service skills

• Adaptable and flexible with the ability to multitask

• Organizational Skills including Prioritizing and Time Management

• Problem Solving

• Ability to Communicate Effectively

• Selfmotivated and detail oriented

• Must present a professional appearance

• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office and EMR software applications preferably Epic

Core Competencies

Primary competencies include:

• Attention to Detail to ensure accurate orders to minimize delays and cost

• Building Trust to establish a rapport with patients

• Complex Problem Solving to assist providers in assessing patient visual needs

• Continuous Learning of new products and concepts in Optical

• Critical Thinking to arrive at solutions that meet the patients needs

• Managing to work to improve efficiency

• Persuasiveness to gain acceptance of those solutions

• Troubleshooting when there is a perceived problem with the patients eyewear

Clinical Competencies

This is not a clinical position.

Training Period

Licensed Opticians are required to be proficient in optical software in Epic (EMR) and have adequate product knowledge to assist patients in selecting proper eyewear. Additionally they will be required to operate in a regional office without direct oversight. Training of nonlicensed staff is a significant part of the position. The training period can be as much as 6 months depending on previous experience.

Accountability

Our mission is to be the premier eye ear nose and throat group providing comprehensive quality and ethical healthcare to all in the Carolinas; to provide a favorable environment for the delivery of healthcare; and to provide for the wellbeing of the physicians and the employees of Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates P.A.

The role of Optical within CEENTA is to provide eyewear solutions creating the best possible visual outcome for the patient while overseeing a regional optical dispensary.

Education

High school graduate or General Education Degree (GED).

Experience

• Completion of Optical Internship required

• Previous optical experience of 5 or more years is preferred

• Customer service and/or sales experience of 5 or more years is preferred

Certificates Licenses Registrations

Licensed Opticians are required to keep and maintain their State Board Optical licenses.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The primary duties are focused on the Optical dispensary working directly with patients. It will be necessary to be able to focus on a single patient while taking care of it during a busy clinical setting. While between eyeglass fittings it may be necessary to engage with multiple patients at one time. Equipment necessary to accomplish these duties include computers pupilometers and lensometers.

Supervisory Responsibilities

The Licensed Optician reports on the Manager of Ancillary Eye. This position has no staff supervisory responsibilities but oversight of a regional optical dispensary is required combined with training of nonlicensed staff.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a fulltime position with typical hours of 8:00am to 5:00pm. These hours may be extended depending on location and patient need.

The nature of this position requires the staff members to be onsite at all times there is no ability for telecommuting.

Physical Mental and Other Requirements

The physical and mental demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to sit talk or listen. The employee is frequently required to stand walk; use hands to finger handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms to assist patients and/or clinic staff. Position will occasionally need to lift up to 25 pounds.

Mental Demands:

The duties of a Licensed Optician require the ability to switch tasks quickly communicate with multiple patients simultaneously to make accurate decisions based on patient needs. Furthermore the staff members needs to be able to work alone for long periods of time without the need for direct manager oversight.

Other Requirements:

• Active & Current Drivers license

• Clean driving record

• Consistent and Reliable Transportation

• Polite and professional disposition

Travel

Travel is expected for this position on an as needed basis.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. In addition to those essential functions identified above individuals in this position are also responsible for performing other duties or tasks that may be assigned. CEENTA retains the discretion to add or change the essential job functions of this position at any time without notice.

A Typical Day in the Position

A typical day in Optical will include the Licensed Optician making the Optical dispensary ready for the patients which may consist of readying displays turning on computers and equipment or general straightening as needed. Throughout the day the primary function is to determine the eyewear needs for patients take the proper measurements and place the orders with the lens labs. In between new orders the orders received from the lab should be verified for the correct prescription and patients notified their eyewear is ready to be picked. When patients arrive for pickup eyewear should be adjusted to ensure a proper fit and any questions answered. Throughout the day the dispensary will need to be kept clean and straight while the surfaces and eyeglass frames toughed by the patient will need to be disinfected prior to contact with the next patient. At the end of the day the equipment should be turned off and any additional closing procedures should be completed.

Additionally the Licensed Optician will work with vendors to maintain an adequate inventory of frames for the dispensary and communicate with the department manager to ensure additional necessary supplies are on hand. The position does require training newly hired staff and continued training of the nonlicensed staff as they progress in their experience.