Optometry Technician

Great Plains Tribal Health; Rapid City (SD); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Great Plains Tribal Health is seeking an Optometric Technician to support comprehensive eye care by performing clinical testing, assisting providers, and keeping clinics efficient.

You will document patient history in the EHR, conduct acuity, tonometry, imaging, and collaborate to ensure accurate data for diagnosis.

This role emphasizes cultural competence and HIPAA compliance, with opportunities for cross-training and career growth.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma required; 1+ year experience in optometry/ophthalmology preferred.
• Paraoptometric or Ophthalmic Assistant certification preferred but not required.
• Must pass criminal background check and pre-employment drug screen.

Responsibilities

• Record relative history and medications in the electronic health record to ensure complete clinical records.
• Perform preliminary and advanced optometric testing (visual acuity, autorefraction, tonometry, imaging) to provide baseline data.
• Prepare exam rooms and support efficient clinic flow and reduce wait times.
• Administer eye drops as directed to support diagnostic accuracy.
• Perform specialty testing (OCT, visual field, pachymetry) to aid early disease detection and monitoring.
• Assist the provider during examinations and treatments to enhance care quality.
• Educate patients on diagnosis, treatment plans, and medications to improve understanding and outcomes.
• Educate patients on contact lens insertion, removal, and care for safe lens use.
• Maintain HIPAA confidentiality and comply with all policies and procedures.

Skills

Clinical testing

EHR documentation

Patient education

Cultural competence

HIPAA compliance

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

1+ year optometry tech experience

Paraoptometric certification preferred

Job description

Job Summary

The optometric technician supports the delivery of comprehensive eye care services by performing clinical testing, assisting providers, and ensuring efficient clinic operations, resulting in timely, accurate, and culturally competent care.

Essential Functions

• Obtain and document Relative medical and ocular history, chief complaint, and medications in the electronic health record to ensure complete and compliant clinical records.
• Perform preliminary and advanced optometric testing (visual acuity, autorefraction, tonometry, imaging) to provide accurate baseline data for diagnosis and treatment planning.
• Prepare Relative and exam rooms prior to provider evaluation to support efficient clinic flow and reduce Relative wait times.
• Administer eye drops as directed to support diagnostic accuracy and treatment effectiveness.
• Perform specialty testing (OCT, visual field, pachymetry) to aid in early detection and monitoring of ocular disease.
• Assist the provider during examinations and treatments to enhance care quality and provider efficiency.
• Educate Relatives on diagnosis, treatment plans, and medications to improve understanding, compliance, and health outcomes.
• Train Relatives on contact lens insertion, removal, and care to ensure safe and effective lens use and compliance.
• Communicate clearly and respectfully with Relatives to promote a positive, culturally competent Relative experience.
• Enter and track contact lens orders to maintain order accuracy and timely delivery.
• Coordinate with the vendor regarding orders to resolve issues and prevent delays in care.
• Document all Relative interactions and clinical data in the electronic health record to maintain compliance with legal, regulatory, and billing requirements.
• Manage Relative flow and room turnover to maximize provider productivity and minimize delays.
• Clean and disinfect equipment and exam rooms to maintain infection control and Relative safety standards.
• Monitor and restock supplies to ensure uninterrupted clinical operations.
• Support Relative education initiatives to reduce preventable vision issues within the Relative population.
• Participate in outreach events and vision screenings to improve access to care and community health outcomes.
• Engage in cross-training opportunities to support clinic flexibility and career growth.
• Adhere to HIPAA and confidentiality standards to protect Relative information and maintain trust.
• Follow all policies and procedures to ensure regulatory compliance and operational consistency.
• Maintain professional communication with Relatives, coworkers, and external stakeholders to support a respectful and productive work environment.
• Participate in required trainings to maintain competency and improve job performance.
• Maintain consistent and reliable attendance, including arriving on time and adhering to scheduled work hours to ensure continuity of Relative care, adequate staffing coverage, and efficient clinical operations

Physical Requirments

• Participates in Core Connections training and applies GPTLHB Core Connections concepts and practices in their work to support a positive, culturally competent work environment.
• Perform duties that require prolonged standing, walking, and/or sitting throughout the workday to ensure continuous Relative care and support efficient clinic operations.
• Use manual dexterity to operate clinic equipment, computers, and small instruments to accurately perform testing, documentation, and Relative care tasks.
• Lift, carry, and move equipment and supplies (up to designated weight limits) to maintain stocked, functional, and organized clinical and work areas.
• Maintain visual acuity and attention to detail when performing clinical or administrative tasks to ensure accuracy in measurements and documentation.
• Communicate effectively with Relatives and team members in person and via phone or electronic systems to ensure clear, accurate, and timely exchange of information.
• Perform repetitive tasks such as typing, data entry, and equipment use to support timely documentation and workflow.
• Adapt to a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions and task-switching to maintain productivity and meet Relative care demands.
• Follow all infection control, safety, and PPE protocols to minimize risk to Relatives, staff, and self.
• Interact with diverse Relative populations including those with medical, emotional, or communication challenges to provide respectful, culturally competent, and Relative-centered care.
• Utilize multiple systems in a technology-driven setting to ensure accurate documentation and operational efficiency.
• Maintain professionalism in a team-based high-interaction environment to support positive team dynamics and effective collaboration.
• Maintain consistent attendance and the ability to perform assigned duties within the physical and environmental conditions of the role of ensuring dependable operations and uninterrupted Relative care.

Education/Experience/Certificates/Credentials

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• At least one year of experience as an optometry or ophthalmology technician
• Paraoptometric or Ophthalmic Assistant certification preferred, but not required
• Must successfully pass a criminal and background check, and a pre-employment drug screen.

The GPTLHB is a tribal organization which follows tribal preference laws. It is our policy to give preference to qualified Indian/Tribal candidates over qualified non-native candidates in hiring decisions, if all other qualifications are equal.

Employment is contingent upon the outcome of all required criminal background checks.

Compliance with our Employee Health Procedure is a condition of employment. You are required to agree that you will comply with all job-related employee health screening and immunizations prior to your first day of employment. Jobs require that you have documentation that you have completed the following immunizations prior to your first day of employment: MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella, Varicella (Chicken Pox), Hepatitis B, Influenza, T-dap (Tetanus - Diphtheria - Pertussis), and COVID-19 vaccination is required