Optometry Tech

Essen Medical Associates; New York (NY); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Essen Medical Associates in New York seeks an Optometry Technician to assist optometrists in providing high-quality care for eye exams, contacts, and consultations.

This role includes performing preliminary eye tests, maintaining optometric equipment, and educating patients about eye care practices. Candidates should have a high school diploma, certification as an Ophthalmic Medical Technician, and strong customer service skills.

Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish are a plus due to the demographic served.

Qualifications

• Assist optometrists and conduct preliminary eye tests.
• Administer diagnostic tests and perform measurements for glasses prescriptions.
• Support patient education regarding eye care practices.

Responsibilities

• Greet and check-in patients, managing the intake process.
• Review patient history and verify insurance information.
• Operate optometric instruments and maintain a clean clinical environment.

Skills

Strong communication

Customer service skills

Detail-oriented

Bilingual (Spanish/English)

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Certification as an Ophthalmic Medical Technician (COMT)

Completion of an optometry technician training program

Tools

Optometric equipment

Electronic health record (EHR) systems

Job description

Overview

Essen Health Care is a growing community healthcare network provides high quality, compassionate, and accessible medical care to some of the most vulnerable and under-served residents of New York State. Guided by a ‘population health’ model of care, Essen has five integrated clinical divisions offering services in primary & specialty offices, urgent care centers, and nursing homes, as well as house calls for home bound patients; all clinical services are also offered via telehealth. Our Care Management division supports patient-centered care through care coordination, complex care management and helping address health-related social needs.

Founded in 1999, Essen provides care in all five boroughs of New York City, with a primary focus in the Bronx. Staffed by over 300 primary and specialty care physicians and advanced clinicians, Essen Health Care is one of the largest, most comprehensive private medical groups in New York City. Essen maintains a Clinical Information Services team that maintains our enterprise-wide electronic medical record system, data repository, clinical analytics and population health capabilities. Our Community Services teams creates and sustains relationship with community organizations and agencies and health plans.

Essen is dedicated to ensuring the quality of care for all patients and has been designated ‘Level 3 Patient Centered Medical Home’ by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. Essen has won awards for its patient care innovations and recently launched Intention Health Ventures to develop and commercialize our technology innovations

Job Summary

The Optometry Technician assists Optometrists in performing eye exams, testing, and other clinical duties to support patient care. This role is crucial in providing efficient, accurate, and high-quality services to patients visiting the facility for eye exams, glasses fittings, or eye health consultations.

Responsibilities

• Greet and check-in patients, ensuring a smooth intake process.
• Review patient history, update records, and verify insurance information.
• Provide patients with pre-exam instructions and assist with patient preparation for exams.
• Assist with eye exams:
• Conduct preliminary eye tests, such as visual acuity, pupil response, and eye pressure tests (tonometry).
• Administer diagnostic tests, such as retinal imaging, corneal topography, and visual field testing.
• Perform measurements for glasses prescriptions, including refractive testing and fitting of trial lenses.
• Equipment operation:
• Operate and maintain optometric instruments like autorefractors, slit lamps, ophthalmoscopes, and visual field machines.
• Clean and sterilize equipment after each use to ensure safety and compliance with health regulations.
• Patient education and support:
• Explain the procedures to patients and answer any questions they may have regarding their eye care.
• Provide guidance on proper eye care practices, contact lens use, and eyewear recommendations.
• Administrative support:
• Record and update patient information in the electronic health records (EHR) system.
• Schedule patient appointments and follow-up visits.
• Ensure patient files are complete and accurately filed in the system.
• Assist with insurance billing and coding for optometry services.
• Team collaboration:
• Work closely with optometrists, ophthalmologists, and other healthcare professionals to ensure high-quality patient care.
• Assist in maintaining a clean, organized, and welcoming clinical environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Certification as an Ophthalmic Medical Technician (COMT) or related certification (e.g., CPO or COA)
• Completion of an optometry technician training program or relevant on-the-job experience.
• Familiarity with optometric equipment and testing procedures.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Detail-oriented and able to multitask in a fast-paced healthcare environment.
• Knowledge of medical terminology related to eye care and optometry.
• Ability to handle patient data with confidentiality and in compliance with HIPAA regulations.
• Experience with electronic health record (EHR) systems.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) is a plus, given the patient demographic in the Bronx.

Essen Health care is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we seek candidates who desire to work in and serve an ethnically diverse population.