What are the responsibilities and job description for the Optometric Technician position at Neighborhood Health?
PRIMARY FUNCTIONS: The Optometric Technician functions as an essential member of the vision care team by performing and documenting results of selected tests and measurements, maintaining adequately supplied workstations, maintaining a clean work environment, and promoting timely and efficient patient flow through the clinic. Has primary responsibility for the collection, processing, and recording of data from vision and eye testing, including eyeglasses prescriptions and frames. Has primary responsibility for maintaining optometric equipment in good working order. Assists with patient treatments during clinical sessions.
Demonstrates a sincere dedication and loyalty to the philosophy and mission of Neighborhood Health.
Functions well and consistently in a fast-paced, detail-oriented environment. Demonstrates initiative, judgment and commitment to continued professional growth as a key team member of this growing service.
DUTIES/ RESPONSIBILITIES: (Essential Functions): Duties and responsibilities noted with bullets are considered to be the essential functions of the job).
• Performs measurements of auto-refraction, auto-keratometry, lensometry, pupillary distance, visual acuity, color vision testing, stereopsis testing, eyeglasses measurements.
• Records physical measurements referring to past visit measurements as appropriate. Notifies optometrist of any significant changes or abnormalities in these measurements.
• Obtains health history information and completes medication reconciliation.
• Performs other diagnostic testing as directed such as anterior segment imaging, retina imaging, optical coherence tomography, visual field testing, axial length measurement.
• Records results of all eye and vision tests.
• Processes and packages lab samples for analysis by off-site lab services.
• Assists clients in applying for eyeglasses via charity sources, and in selecting frames that are appropriate for them and in the preferred style and color.
• Submits eyeglasses orders to charity sources and/or vision insurance-affiliated labs.
• Orders trial contact lenses, tracks arrivals, notifies optometrist and clients of contact lens trial arrivals.
• Assists in teaching proper contact lens hygiene, insertion and removal skills to clients.
• Assists in demonstrating proper eye patch use and/or eye drop or ointment instillation to patients and caretakers.
• Ensures patients are appropriately checked out, i.e. testing or labs performed, eye drops, and other medications or materials given, home testing provided, and patient education given as directed by optometrist.
• Addresses telephone encounters in a timely manner.
• Performs daily, weekly, and monthly equipment maintenance according to manufacturer’s instructions.
• Cleans all medical equipment and exam chairs according to OSHA standards.
• Maintains clean, well-stocked exam rooms.
• Assists in supply and clinic medication ordering.
OTHER DUTIES:
• Employee will be asked to perform additional duties and take on other responsibilities as dictated by events and circumstances, to advance the development of the program.
• Work independently/with minimal supervision.
• Work efficiently with the rest of the team to help optometrist in day-to-day operations of the optometry clinic.
• Recognize and properly respond to urgency of patient and/or clinic needs.
• Demonstrate self-motivation and flexibility to daily patient schedule and/or clinic needs.
• Interact with public and staff, both in-person and over telephone/electronic communication, in professional manner.
• Assist with developing, coordinating and recommending changes for the improvement of workflows.
• Work in team-based environment with oversight from optometrist.
• Prepare and maintain internal and external reports as requested by Supervisor and/or Department Head.
QUALIFICATION/EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Some experience in optometry or medical office preferred.
• Commission on Paraoptometric Certification preferred
• Good oral and written communication skills in English and Spanish. Required
• Familiar with electronic medical records (training provided). Preferred
• Attention to detail and excellent technical skills.
• Good interpersonal skills.