Optician, Advanced/Contact Lens Technician

Kaiser Permanente; Vancouver (WA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Kaiser Permanente Eye Care Services seeks an experienced Dispensing Optician to provide comprehensive eyewear dispensing and contact lens services. You will assess prescriptions, select materials and lenses, and ensure precise fitting and maintenance in a fast-paced environment.

Role requires collaboration with optometrists and other departments, strong customer service, and ability to train apprentices. Licensed in Washington, with cross-training opportunities in both contact lens and eyeglass

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Dispensing Optician License (Washington) required.
• Minimum four (4) years of experience dispensing or fabricating optician.

Responsibilities

• Provide ophthalmic eyewear services including design, ordering, dispensing, fitting and repairing glasses.
• Interpret prescriptions and advise patient on frame and lens options.
• Measure and adjust lenses and frames using optical equipment.
• Maintain patient records and coordinate with related departments.
• Cross-train in contact lens and eyeglass dispensing.

Skills

Dispensing optics

Customer service

Multi-tasking

Communication skills

Mentoring apprentices

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Lensometer

Lens edging equipment

Frame warmer

Pupilometer

Zyl hinge repair unit

Optical hand tools

Job description

Job Summary

To provide direct service to members of the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan in the form of comprehensive, high quality optical dispensing and contact lens dispensing services. Optical Dispensing includes: preparation of orders for prescription eyewear, fitting and adjusting glasses and other vision appliances, life-style dispensing and instructing patients for selection of attractive eyeglass frames. Contact Lens Dispensing includes: assisting and supporting the doctors of optometry and providing optimum care to Contact Lens patients; ensuring that all prescriptions are ordered, received, and dispensed as prescribed; instructing patients on proper use and maintenance of contact lenses; assisting contact lens optometrists in managing and coordinating schedules, charting, and patient flow; maintaining inventory of contact lenses and supplies; answering telephones, evaluating calls received, responding to patient inquiries, and routing calls as needed.

Essential Responsibilities

• Provide ophthalmic eyewear services, including: the design, ordering, dispensing, fitting, adjusting, and repairing of eyeglasses and low vision devices. Services are accomplished in direct interaction with the patient utilizing a doctors prescription, taking and recording various anatomical measurements and obtaining information supplied by the patient. Subsequent visits by the patient involve dispensing and maintenance of ophthalmic eyewear.
• Interpret written optometric prescriptions and analyze the various alternatives by which it can be filled in order to make recommendations to the patient. Measure and calculate fitting and fabrication specifications. Advise the patient concerning available ophthalmic materials. Recommend the most favorable combination of the above factors for each eyeglass order to meet the clinical requirements and the patients personal preferences. Prepare fabrication specifications accordingly.
• Interview patient to ascertain occupational, lifestyle, and cosmetic needs. Advise patient regarding comfort, cosmetic and safety options, including; frame shape, frame material, color, lens styles, materials, colors, tints and other accessories and treatments.
• Accurately measure and shape lenses and adjust frames utilizing ophthalmic equipment including hand edgers, lensometer, pupilometer, soldering machines, and precision hand tools. Operate Point-of-Sale computer terminal to enter prescription and sales information into the automated processing and information system.
• Insure that members receive quality ophthalmic products and courteous, professional service. Product quality assurance includes accurate and precise lens fabrication meeting providers and opticians specifications and conforming to ANSI and other applicable regulatory requirements. Service involves resolving issues common in optical practice, including; member concerns, perceived patient vision needs, optical lab fabrication limitations, and patient to provider communication. Maintain relevant documentation.
• Promote competence and professionalism by maintaining proficiency in contemporary dispensing skills, updating product knowledge through regular participation in continuing education programs and affiliation with professional associations. Project a positive image of Kaiser Permanente Eye Care Services at all times.
• Responsibly manage and protect and account for all program assets, including; inventory, funds, tools, sundry sales merchandise.
• Support the activities of program doctors and fellow staff members in enhancing member service and achieving departmental goals. Display a positive team spirit by participating in cross-training, sharing duties with others and assisting Optical Manager in special projects.
• Provide specific instructions to individual patients and groups on correct handling and care of contact lenses. Teach patients correct application and removal of contact lenses, proper hygiene, how to clean lenses, warning signs of developing problems, and the importance of all of these factors as they relate to maintaining good eye health and clear vision.
• Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of fees and benefits for contact lens services and effectively explain them to patients. Following all departmental policies, procedures, behavior guidelines, and standards for the treatment of members: Receive and manage phone calls from patients. Based on information elicited from patient, independently assess the nature of the situation, determine type of service or appointment needed, and triage accordingly. Schedule appointment if need is urgent or direct call to Appointment Center to schedule routine appointment. Respond to member inquiries and complaints and resolve or forward to the manager.
• Demonstrate ability to accurately fill patients Contact Lens prescriptions. Order patients lenses from the appropriate outside vendor. Inspect lenses using appropriate instrumentation to verify that prescription and lens parameters are as specified in approved accuracy tables. Notify patient when lenses are ready to be picked up and schedule appointment to dispense lenses.
• Maintain accurate records and reports for the Contact Lens Department. Update all patient clinical records in a neat and accurate manner. Prepare charts for daily appointments. Ensure that the patient fully understands fees involved. Verify and update each patients Vision Care Benefits and utilization history in Common Membership System (CMS). Telephone patient to confirm appointment times and ensure that the patient fully understands fees involved. Verify and update each patients Vision Care Benefits and utilization history in CMS System.
• Prepare, analyze, update, and maintain all daily and month-end business reports and invoices. Check invoices for accuracy and submit to manager for approval and payment. Coordinate ordering of multiple forms and supplies for appropriate clinics.
• Collaborate and coordinate with Optical Dispensing, Optometry, Membership Services, Ophthalmology, and other Kaiser Permanente departments to deliver optimum patient care. Participate in training of appointment clerks to schedule and screen for contact lens appointments. This requires a total understanding of Kaiser policies and procedures and essential knowledge of Vision Care Benefits.
• Maintain instruments and equipment in the Contact Lens Department to ensure accuracy. Clean equipment and instruments on a routine basis. Assess and arrange for repairs and calibration, when necessary.
• Perform other duties as requested.

Basic Qualifications

Experience

• Minimum four (4) years of experience as a dispensing or fabricating optician.
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience in optometric or optical practice where contact lenses have been dispensed or current Kaiser Permanente Contact Lens experience.

Education

• High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED) required.

License, Certification, Registration

• Dispensing Optician License (Washington)

Additional Requirements

• Shall be able and willing to cross-train in the procedures of both contact lens and eyeglass dispensing. This cross-training will be provided by the employer. The optician will thereafter be available for appropriate assignments in either department in accordance with other staffing provisions of the OFNHP - Technical Master Agreement. Demonstrate working knowledge of ophthalmic dispensing theory and practice.
• Demonstrate working knowledge with contact lens equipment and instrumentation.
• Basic mathematics.
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task and work in fast-paced environment
• Familiarity with optometry and ophthalmology terminology.
• Demonstrate thorough product knowledge, including lens materials, designs and coatings, frame structure and adjustment techniques, contact lens materials, design, and fitting process.
• Ability to maintain a good working relationship between the reception area and Optical Dispensing, Optometry, Ophthalmology, Contact Lens Services, to ensure delivery of an effective and high quality Eye Care Services program.
• Ability to operate dispensing equipment, including; lens hand edger, lensometer, frame warmer, pupilometer, zyl hinge repair unit, and various optical hand tools.
• Demonstrate proficiency in use of equipment and instrumentation used in contact lens practice
• Operation of basic office machines (photocopier, 10-key, card imprinter, and computer keyboard).
• Demonstrate effective customer service skills, communication skills, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrate effective selling skills and tactfully influence patient choices.
• Able to work in a high-volume department and prioritize multiple assigned tasks.
• Able to respond effectively to requests from members/patients, providers, and other coworkers.
• Ability to quickly learn how to operate multiple computer systems in a multi-user environment.
• Shall be able and willing to mentor/train apprentice opticians. All apprentices will work toward Washington State Optician Licenses but the mentoring may take place at both Washington and Oregon Kaiser Optical locations.

Preferred Qualifications

• One (1) year of Optical Laboratory experience or equivalent.
• Recent contact lens dispensing experience.
• Thorough knowledge of Kaiser Permanente Vision Care Program, policies & procedures, behavior guidelines, and familiarity with HMO concepts.
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of optical theory, ocular treatment, and product knowledge.
• Working knowledge of Kaiser Permanente computer systems pertaining to performing the functions of this position.
• Fitting consultation training (color and frame fashion).
• Use and care of tools and equipment used in optical dispensing.
• Thorough knowledge of contact lens dispensing practice.
• Basic optical lab finishing skills.
• Demonstrated experience with contact lens measuring and modification instruments. including: radiuscope, peak scope, diameter and thickness gauges, lensometer and contact lens modification unit.
• Excellent interpersonal and retail optical sales skills.
• Ability to operate electric and butane soldering units.
• Ability to use basic computer applications (spreadsheets and word processing).
• Ability to operate basic office machines.
• Two (2) years of college level optical technology program or equivalent apprenticeship.

Notes

• Travel locations include but are not limited to: LVK, SAL, ORC, CPK, RKW, CEC, CIN, BVT, SST, TNB, & NLR.