The Optician should have working knowledge of fitting and dispensing eyewear and contact lenses of varying complexity.They should have an understanding of product options and are comfortable making recommendations based on the needs of the patient/customer.An understanding of varying vison plans and benefits including Medicaid is preferred.The optician should show an interest in mentoring students within the Optometry program and should enjoy working with the public as part of a team.The optician ideally should have earned an American Board of Opticianry / National Contact Lens Examiners (ABO/NCLE) certification.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Become and maintain competence in the use of the Eye Institute - Downers Grove electronic health record system.
• Ensure that electronic medical records in their area of responsibility are completed and closed by the end of the clinical day.
• Be responsible for frame inventory, frame board management, meeting with frame representatives, tracking product sales, merchandising, theft prevention, and participate in the marketing plan.
• Manage continuity of care for each patient encounter in the optical and ensure appropriate follow up has been established.
• Assist in identification of discrepancies in patient needs and recommendations
• Provide the Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs and Clinic Manager with information necessary to assure appropriate eyewear recommendations are present for each encounter.
• Maintain active participation in the University and College community through participation in University campus activities.
• Participate in University outreach activities.
• Maintain active participation in state, regional and national professional organizations.
• Support scholarly activity of the Students, Faculty and Self.
• Maintain an open line of communication with the Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs and Clinic Manager.
• Establish a welcoming atmosphere to support morale and to promote collegiality among colleagues, staff and students.
• Be a positive role model for colleagues, staff and students.
• Guide and advise students on professional conduct and ethical behavior.
• Maintain an open-door policy.
• Work with students, under the supervision of faculty in the teaching and application of optometric practice development principles, such as the selection and marketing of ophthalmic products, patient education, and service.
• Follow the appropriate professional standards of care and clinic protocols.
• Assist in the identification of challenges and recommendation of solutions for the Eye Institute faculty, staff and students.
• Follow Federal and Midwestern policies with respect to patient privacy protection.
• Report misconduct, patient abandonment, refusal to comply with established protocol, or disregard for the patient's welfare to the Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs and Clinic Manager.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Must be able to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner and have regular, predictable, in-person attendance.Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience
High school diploma or GED required. American Board of Opticianry /National Contact Lens Examiners (ABO/NCLE) certification is preferred. Dispensing Optician state licensing preferred. Must have at least 5 years of experience in a clinical environment or 3-5 years of experience in a clinical environment with the ABO/NCLE certification. Lens edging services preferred. Strong record in sales.
Computer Skills
Computer proficiency in EHR computer software systems, MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
Language Skills
Basic skills: Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers and the general public
Reasoning Ability
Basic skills: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.
Mathematical Ability
Intermediate skills: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interests, commissions and proportions, percentages, area, circumference and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, use hands to handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Ability to tolerate repeated routine tasks.The employee must frequently lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Midwestern University is a private, not-for-profit organization that provides graduate and post-graduate education in the health sciences. The University has two campuses, one in Downers Grove, Illinois, and the other in Glendale, Arizona. More than 6,000 full-time students are enrolled in graduate programs in osteopathic medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nurse anesthesia, cardiovascular perfusion, podiatry, optometry, clinical psychology, speech-language pathology, biomedical sciences, and veterinary medicine. Over 500 full-time faculty members and 400 staff members are dedicated to the education and development of our students in an environment that encourages learning, respect for all members of the healthcare team, service, interdisciplinary scholarly activity, and personal growth.
We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance plans as well as life insurance, short/long-term disability, and pet insurance. We offer flexible spending accounts including healthcare reimbursement and child/dependent care accounts. We offer a work-life balance with a competitive time off package including paid holidays, sick/flex days, personal days, and vacation days. We offer a 403(b)-retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, childcare subsidy reimbursement program, identity theft protection, and an employee assistance program. Wellness is important to us, and we offer a wellness facility on-site with a fully equipped fitness facility.
Midwestern University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that does not discriminate against an employee or applicant based upon race; color; religion; creed; national origin or ancestry; ethnicity; sex (including pregnancy); gender (including gender expressions, gender identity; and sexual orientation); marital status; age; disability; citizenship; past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services; genetic information; or any other protected class, in accord with all federal, state and local laws, including 41 C.F.R. 60-1.4(a), 250.5(a), 300.5(a) and 741.5(a). Midwestern University complies with the Smoke-Free Arizona Act (A.R.S. 36-601.01) and the Smoke Free Illinois Act (410 ILCS 82/).Midwestern University complies with the Illinois Equal Pay Act of 2003 and Arizona Equal Pay Acts
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)