Optician (Full Time)

Unity Eye Centers; Norfolk (NE); On-site; USD 20,664 - 31,684; Full time

Job summary

Unity Eye Centers in Norfolk, Nebraska seeks an optician to educate patients on lens options, assist with eyewear selections, and manage administrative tasks like insurance co-pays and order processing. The role involves maintaining displays, inventory, and patient flow in a dynamic optical retail setting.

The position emphasizes building lasting patient relationships, delivering exceptional service, and supporting the optical lab and office team with a proactive, adaptable approach.

Qualifications

• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Exceptional customer service abilities.
• Detail oriented with strong organizational skills.
• Ability to obtain knowledge and skills on the job or through educational courses.
• Ability to lead, motivate and promote a team environment.
• Proactive, adaptable, with the ability to work under pressure to accomplish projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist patients in selecting spectacles, educating on lens options and frame styling.
• Calculate insurance co-pays based on eligibility.
• Enter spectacle orders accurately and monitor status for timely delivery.
• Receive orders, verify, notify patients, and schedule dispensing.
• Follow up with patients on adaptation to eyewear and contacts.
• Perform adjustments and repairs as needed.
• Troubleshoot eyewear concerns as necessary.
• Maintain inventory of optical retail area and lab supplies.
• Maintain displays of optical merchandise.
• Monitor patient flow throughout the office and communicate delays.
• Perform other duties as determined by office manager or doctors.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Customer service

Team leadership

Detail orientation

Time management

Adaptability

Work under pressure

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Previous optician experience

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

An optician is an eyewear consultant, educating patients on doctor recommendations that will give them the best possible vision. The eyewear consultant not only advises patients on the best lens options for their prescription, but also creates a fun shopping environment through the selection of fashionable eyewear. The ability to communicate and build long lasting relationships is an important skill required for this position. In addition, the eyewear consultant creates and maintains displays of optical merchandise and inventory within the optical retail areas. This position utilizes both administrative and creative design skills. The administrative skills needed are calculating co-pays based on insurance eligibility and preparing work orders for the optical lab.

WORK SCHEDULE

Work Schedule:Friday's off by 2 PM and no Saturdays

Competitive hourly wage based on experience

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist patients in the selection process of spectacles, providing education on quality choices, lens selection, and frame styling to fit their lifestyle and prescription.
• Calculate insurance co-pay based on insurance eligibility.
• Accurately enter spectacle orders; ensure timely delivery by monitoring status on a daily basis.
• Receive spectacle orders into system, verify order, notify patients, and schedule dispensing.
• Contact patients for follow up on progress of adapting to dispensed eyewear and prescribed contacts.
• Perform adjustments and repairs when necessary.
• Troubleshoot patient concerns with eyewear when necessary.
• Maintain inventory pertaining to all aspects of the optical retail area, including lab supplies. Report inventory as required.
• Maintain displays of optical merchandise.
• Monitor patient flow throughout the office, properly communicating delays.
• Perform other duties and assume various responsibilities as determined by the office manager or team lead, and doctor(s).

SUPPLEMENTARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Depending upon the patient volume and/or patient flow demands, you may be required to perform the following tasks.

• Assist with patient preliminary testing as required.
• Dispense contact lenses and perform contact lens progress checks.
• Assist with answering the telephone, scheduling appointments, and effectively maintaining appointments books for doctors, as well as assist in completing “recalls.”
• Assist with check out and collection of monies due by patient.
• Identify areas which require additional reinforcement through education or consultation.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Sales/retail experience is preferred.
• Previous optician experience is a plus.

COMPETENCIES

• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
• Exceptional customer service abilities
• Detail oriented with strong organizational skills
• Ability to obtain knowledge and skills on the job or through educational courses
• Ability to lead, motivate and promote a team environment
• Proactive, adaptable, with the ability to work under pressure to accomplish projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT (per ADA guidelines):

• Physical Activity: Talking, Hearing.
• Physical requirements: Sedentary work. Involves sitting most of the time.
• The worker is required to have visual acuity to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Staff members are required to meet training expectations within the initial 90-day probationary period.
• Obtaining certification through an optometric certification program is encouraged. Unity will aid all employees eligible for the Employee Career Development Program.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.