Retail Ophthalmic Dispensing Trainee

Visionworks of America; City of Poughkeepsie (NY); On-site; USD 36,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Visionworks of America is seeking a licensed optician to assist customers in selecting frames and lenses, interpreting prescriptions, and explaining insurance benefits. The role emphasizes accuracy, customer service, and collaboration with labs and optometrists.

The position requires a NY Apprentice permit to practice and 1–3 months of related experience. This full-time role involves HIPAA compliance and maintaining a clean, organized dispensing area at the store.

Qualifications

• Must have a current New York Apprentice permit to practice (Massachusetts permit acceptable).
• 1–3 months of related experience and/or training preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist customers with frame and lens selection.
• Provide accurate product information on frames, lenses and services.
• Explain benefits and costs under third-party insurance and identify any charges not covered.
• Sell, fit and dispense frames and accessories.
• Keep dispensing area clean and organized and ensure pricing accuracy.
• Coordinate with lab and optometrist to ensure prescription accuracy.
• Comply with HIPAA and privacy policies and participate in required training.

Skills

Frame selection

Prescription interpretation

Customer service

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Summary

Assist customers with frames selection, fits and dispenses frames. Utilizing technical information to interpret prescriptions and assist customers with their selection of optical products/services.

Assist customers with frames selection, fits and dispenses frames. Utilizing technical information to interpret prescriptions and assist customers with their selection of optical products/services.

Pay Class And Pay Rate

Pay Class: Full Time

Pay Rate: $17.50 - 26.25 per hour

Essential Responsibilities

• Assist each customer in frame and lens selection.
• Provide customers with accurate product information regarding frames, lens selections and other services.
• Provide customers covered by Third Party insurance with accurate information regarding benefits to ensure proper selection of frames and lenses. Discuss frames/lens extras and options. Inform the customer of any additional charges not covered by their Third Party insurance coverage. Analyze and interpret patients’ prescriptions.
• Sell, fit and dispense frames and other accessories.
• Maintain a clean and orderly dispensing area.
• Responsible for the accuracy of patient pricing.
• Communicate clearly with lab and Optometrist to ensure accuracy of prescription.
• Fulfill education and experience requirements to become Licensed Optician within state/contract mandated time frame.
• Adhere to privacy and confidential and proprietary company policies and procedures (i.e. HIPAA).
• Participate in any/all training and educational activities necessary to fulfill at least the minimum requirements as specified within your departmental goals. This is in addition to, the completion of any activities necessary for the maintenance of professional affiliations or organizational requirements.
• Diligently maintain the cleanliness of all equipment, workstations and the overall facility on a daily basis.
• As required by changing business needs, complete additional responsibilities as assigned.

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent.

Experience & Background

• Must have a current New York or Massachusetts Apprentice permit to practice.
• Copy of permit must be on file with the Human Resources Department
• One to three months of related experience and/or training

Language Skills

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or associates of the organization

Mathematical Skills

• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest and percentages
• Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry

Reasoning Ability

• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form
• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations

Essential Responsibilities Related To Physical Demands/Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the associate is required to stand, use hands and fingers to handle, feel, pick or pinch, and talk or hear most of the time. The associate is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The associate must frequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. The noise level in this location is moderate (use of computers, printers and machines).

• Close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less)
• Distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more)
• Color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors)
• Peripheral vision (ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes are fixed on a given point)
• Depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships)
• Ability to adjust focus (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus)

Activity

Amount of Time

None

Under 1/3

1/3 to 2/3

Over 2/3

• Stand
• X
• Walk
• X
• Sit
• X
• Use hands to finger, handle, or feel
• X
• Reach with Hands and Arms
• X
• Climb or balance
• X
• Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
• X
• Talk or hear
• X

• Close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less)
• Distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more)
• Color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors)
• Peripheral vision (ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes are fixed on a given point)
• Depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships)
• Ability to adjust focus (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus)

Essential Responsibilities Related To Behavioral Characteristics

• Basic computer literacy
• Strong communication skills and the desire to work with the public
• Possess an outgoing, positive professional personality & appearance
• Ability to work independently and as part of team
• Ability to interact well with associates
• Ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously
• Flexibility to support change
• Ability to work onsite and participate in interactive onsite meetings on a regular and predictable basis.
• Ability to initiate immediate interaction, coordination and collaboration with team members, clients, customers etc.

HIPAA & Security Requirements

All Associates must comply with the Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) as it pertains to disclosures of protected health information (PHI) as described in the Notice of Privacy Practices and HIPAA Privacy Policies and Procedures. As a component of job roles and responsibilities, Associates may have access to covered information, cardholder data or other confidential customer information which must be protected at all times. As a result, Associates must explicitly adhere to all data security guidelines established within the Company’s Privacy & Security Training Program.

VSP is an equal opportunity employer, committed to the hiring, advancement and fair treatment of individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender, national origin, ethnicity, disability or veteran status, or any other protected status designated by federal, state or local law.

Union Position Compensation

Position provides competitive pay and benefits. Specific terms are set forth in the Company’s collective bargaining agreement with a minimum pay rate of $17.50 per hour plus incentive. Starting pay may vary based on experience to a maximum of $26.25 per hour. Incentive pay, wage upgrades, and overtime opportunities also available.

The specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria considered necessary to perform the job successfully

As required by changing business needs, complete additional essential responsibilities as identified and assigned.