Optician, Blakeney

Primary Objective

The Optician provides clinical support to Providers through the delivery of high quality, compassionate optical services to CEENTA’s patients.

Essential Functions

• Greet all office guest 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 other optical equipment to facilitate manufacture of eyewear including lensometer, pupilometers, progressive lens identifiers, and distant ruler
• Troubleshoot eyewear to eliminate patient concerns and adjust accordingly
• Educate patients on frame and lens options that suit their unique needs
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of opticianry
• Oversee an Optical dispensary including managing vendor relations and frame inventory
• Evaluate and manage patient concerns with any issues with eyewear
• Ability to meet the physical and mental demands of the position
• The ability to work on-site and to travel to other locations as needed
• Predictable, reliable, and prompt attendance
• 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
• Must present a professional appearance 
• Self-motivated and detailed oriented
• 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
• Continuous Learning of new products and concepts in Optical
• Critical Thinking to arrive at solutions that meet the patient’s needs
• Managing to work to improve efficiency
• Persuasiveness to gain acceptance of those solutions
• Troubleshooting when there is a perceived problem with the patient’s eyewear

Clinical Competencies: 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 non-licensed 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 Optician directly impacts CEENTA’s ability to achieve its mission as they play an integral role in patient care delivery, high quality, compassionate optical services to patients.

Supervisory Responsibilities

The Optician – Certified reports of the Manager of Ancillary Eye.  This position has no staff supervisory responsibilities, but oversight of a regional optical dispensary is required.

Education

High school graduate or General Education Degree (GED).

Experience

• Previous optical experience of 3 or more years is preferred
• Customer service and/or sales experience of 3 or more years is preferred

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Basic or Advanced American Board of Opticianry (ABO) Certification preferred

Work Environment

The Optician functions in a multi-specialty clinic with high patient volume. This role may be exposed to contagious or infectious diseases, and therefore, may be required to wear personal protective equipment at times. This position routinely uses standard medical office equipment as well as standard medical diagnostic equipment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work                                                                                                                               

This is a full-time 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 on-site at all times, there is no ability for telecommuting.

Physical and Mental 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 an Optician - Unlicensed require the ability to switch tasks quickly, communicate with multiple patients simultaneously, to make accurate decisions based on patient needs.  Furthermore, the staff members need to be able to work alone for long periods of time without the need for direct manager oversight.

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 for the Optician involves collaborating with Providers to ensure the delivery of high quality, compassionate optical services to CEENTA’s patients. The Optician assists patients in the selection of prescription eyewear, ensuring frames fit their unique needs. They order, process, and dispense eyewear to patients with a friendly demeanor and patient-centered focus. They educate patients on appropriate use and care of their eyewear and manage any patient concerns. They perform an array of administrative duties, which includes documenting patient eyewear orders in the Point of Sale and EHR systems, managing vendor relationships, and maintaining inventory of vendor frames not participating in consignment programs.