Optometric Technician

Cherry Health; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 22,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Loan repayment programs

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

Paid holidays

401(k) Retirement Plan with employer-m

529 Savings Plans

Pet Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Cherry Health in Grand Rapids, MI, is seeking an Optometric Technician I to support the Doctor of Optometry in delivering comprehensive eye care. The role involves patient history intake, pre-testing, drop instillation, and assisting with exams to ensure efficient patient flow.

The position is full-time and benefit-eligible, with typical hours Monday–Friday 7:45am–5:00pm and one late night until 7pm on a selected weekday. Prior ophthalmic experience is preferred; CPR is required.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma (or equivalent) required.
• CPR certification is required.
• Ophthalmic or Medical Assistant experience preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.

Responsibilities

• Obtain patient history and chief complaint information.
• Perform patient pre-testing including visual acuity, color vision, depth perception, pupil testing, motilities, peripheral vision, and blood pressure.
• Instill eye drops using sterile technique and explain side effects.
• Measure intraocular pressure with Tonopen or iCare.
• Administer diagnostic tests (visual fields, OCT, retinal photography, lensometry).
• Maintain electronic health records.
• Assist doctor with eye exams and follow-up as needed.
• Facilitate referrals and schedule patients for medical or surgical issues.
• Perform administrative duties and chart preparation.

Skills

Multi-tasking

Computer literacy

Teamwork

Communication

Organization

Customer service

Bilingual Spanish

Travel to other sites

6-month readiness

Education

High School Diploma

CPR certification

Tools

Nextgen EHR/EPM

Zeiss Forum

Tonopen / iCare tonometer

Slit-lamp / Phoropter

OCT / HVF / Pachymeter

Job description

Overview Of Position

The primary responsibility of the Optometric Technician I is to assist the Doctor of Optometry in delivering comprehensive eye care. Must adhere to the Personnel Policies, Code of Ethics, and all licensing and accreditation standards of the position. Must represent the organization’s Mission and Key Values in all actions, communications, and representations with all contacts.

This is a full-time, non-exempt, benefit eligible position. Typically working Monday - Friday, from 7:45am-5:00p. with one late night until 7pm on either Tuesday or Thursday.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Obtain patient history and chief complaint information.
• Accurately and efficiently perform patient pre-testing, including visual acuity, color vision, depth perception, pupil testing, motilities, peripheral vision, and blood pressure.
• Instill eye drops on patients using sterile techniques and explain side effects of drops.
• Measure intraocular pressure using iCare or Tonopen.
• Administer diagnostic tests such as automated visual field testing, optical coherence tomography, retinal photography, automated lensometry, etc.
• Maintain accurate electronic health records.
• Assist doctor with all aspects of the eye exam and any follow-up requested.
• Facilitate referrals and schedule patients as needed for medical and surgical problems.
• Perform administrative tasks such as filing, ordering supplies, recordkeeping, and other administrative duties.
• Perform chart preparation to ensure that a patient is due or eligible for an eye exam.
• Understand and adhere to CH’s compliance standards as they appear in CH’s Corporate Compliance Policy, Code of Conduct, and Conflict of Interest Policy.
• Keep abreast of all pertinent federal, state, and CH’s regulations, laws, and policies as they currently exist and as they change or are modified.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Duties And Responsibilities For School-linked Programs

• Travel to and from schools.
• Set up and tear down school clinic.
• Assist with scheduling and/or check-in for students.
• Maintain accurate electronic health records.
• Assist with phone calls to classrooms and/or escort children.
• Maintain professional interaction with all school staff.
• Call parents as needed to set up follow-up appointments and/or explain ocular conditions.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

• Ability to multi-task.
• Basic computer literacy.
• Team-oriented with strong collaborative skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organization and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Bilingual (Spanish) preferred but not required.
• Ability to travel to other sites as determined by business needs.
• Ability to perform essential duties & responsibilities within 6 months.

Key Values

• Customer Service
• Collaboration
• Integrity
• Respect
• Professionalism
• Learning

Education / Licenses / Certificates

• High School Diploma (or equivalent) required.
• CPR certification (offered at CH) is required.

Experience

Ophthalmic or Medical Assistant experience preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.

Equipment / Tools / Technology

• Desktop or Laptop computer
• Telephone with voicemail
• Networked copier/printer/facsimile
• Microsoft applications (Mail, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Nextgen EHR and EPM
• Zeiss Forum
• Diagnostic equipment (cameras, OCT, HVF, corneal topographer, pachymeter)
• Exam lane equipment (slit-lamp, phoropter)
• Intraocular pressure devices (Tonopen, iCare tonometer)

Physical Requirements

• Standing: More than ⅓ of time
• Sitting: More than ⅓ of time
• Independently mobile (including movement from floor to floor): More than ⅔ of time
• Grasping (applying pressure to an object with fingers, thumb, and palm): More than ⅓ of time
• Finger use (picking, pinching, typing, or working primarily with fingers): More than ⅓ of time
• Reaching with arms and hands above head or to full extension: Less than ⅓ of time
• Stooping, crouching, or bending: Less than ⅓ of time
• Kneeling or crawling: Less than ⅓ of time
• Repetitive hand or body motions: More than ⅓ of time
• Vision requirements – Visual acuity 20/40 or better, color vision, and stereopsis preferred: More than ⅓ of time
• Hearing: More than ⅓ of time
• Speaking: More than ⅓ of time
• Pushing or pulling: Less than ⅓ of time
• Sedentary work (lifting no more than 10 lbs): Less than ⅓ of time
• Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required

Environmental Factors / Working Conditions

• Indoor, office environment with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, fumes, or temperature changes: More than ⅔ of time
• Exposure to fumes or airborne particles: Less than ⅓ of time
• Exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals: Less than ⅓ of time
• Exposure to blood, bodily fluids, non‑intact skin or tissue specimens: More than ⅓ of time
• Exposure to patients/clients with illness or infection: More than ⅓ of time

Other Requirements Of The Position

• Travel to other sites: Required
• Uniform: Scrubs & nonskid shoes: Required
• Direct interaction with patients/clients: Required

Supervision Received By This Position

Work progress is checked frequently

Supervision Given By This Position

Not Applicable - No responsibility to supervise others

Client Population Served

May serve all patient populations.

Who We Are

Cherry Health, Michigan’s largest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), operates in six counties across the state, is based in Grand Rapids. With a team of more than 650 health care professionals at 20 locations, Cherry Health focuses on removing barriers, expanding access, and delivering comprehensive quality health care services to underserved communities, regardless of an individual’s insurance status or ability to pay. We provide primary care, dental, vision, behavioral health, pharmacy services, substance abuse services, residential re‑entry services, school‑based health centers and more.

Our Mission

Cherry Health provides comprehensive, high quality healthcare for all.

Our Vision

Lives are transformed by creating a healthier community where every person has their best opportunity to thrive.

Our Values

• Collaboration – Support the Cherry Health mission by encouraging teamwork to accomplish organizational goals.
• Welcoming – We create an inclusive, respectful environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and comfortable contributing.
• Innovation – Embrace creativity to improve patient care and workplace efficiency while remaining curious and open to learning.
• Integrity – Uphold the highest ethical standards by being honest and trustworthy.
• Professionalism – Create a positive work environment where we care accountable for our decision, our action and the results.

Benefits

Cherry Health has excellent benefit offerings dependent on employment status. Check out a sample of the benefits available to our team members below!

• Loan repayment through the NHSC and Michigan State Loan Repayment Program for select roles
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance for you and your family
• Generous Paid Time Off benefit – 4 weeks per year for full time
• Paid holidays - 8 full day paid holidays (Including Black Friday!) and 2 half day paid holidays!
• 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with generous employer match - $ for $ match up to 5%
• MET and MESP 529 Savings Plans
• Pet Insurance!
• Employee Assistance Program

Our policy is to offer all employees and applicants for employment equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, height, weight, sexual orientation, gender identity, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws, or any other protected category.