VCS Health Tech (Optician)- Durham NC

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) Optical Shops at the Durham - NC VA Medical Center seek an experienced Health Tech (Opticians) to support optical operations and serve as a liaison between VCS eye clinics and prosthetics teams. You will assist with eyewear fittings, measurements, orders, and customer service to enhance veteran eyewear experiences.

This role emphasizes independent work capability, precise prescription interpretation, and quality assurance across optical processes in a

Qualifications

• Minimum of 1 year experience working as an Optician.
• Ability to work independently while managing responsibilities and maintaining high patient service.
• Ability to interpret prescriptions and resolve discrepancies to ensure accuracy and patient satisfaction.
• Skilled in optical verification and quality assurance, including verification and tolerance checks.

Responsibilities

• Greet customers and provide knowledgeable assistance with frame selection, pricing, product options and delivery timelines.
• Maintain a professional, welcoming environment while helping patients make informed eyewear decisions.
• Perform eyewear fittings and take measurements using digital pupilometers, lensometers and other tools.
• Document patient information and measurements within the CPRS system.
• Process eyewear orders, collect payments, prepare sales docs and enter orders into VA systems.
• Promote appropriate lens options and upgrades using a consultative approach.
• Collaborate with eye clinics, labs, prosthetics staff and vendors to track orders and resolve missing/damaged/delayed eyewear issues.
• Address customer concerns professionally and escalate complex issues as needed.
• Maintain eyewear displays and assist with inventory and asset protection.

Skills

Customer service

Independent work capability

Prescription interpretation

Problem solving

Tools

Lensometer

Pupilometer

Frame heater

PD ruler

Vertex densometer

Job description

Summary

The Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) is seeking experienced and motivated Health Tech (Opticians) to support operations within VCS Optical Shops at the Durham - NC VA Medical Center. This position plays a critical role in delivering exceptional service by coordinating optical operations and serving as a key liaison between VCS - eye clinic providers and prosthetics teams. Join us and help enhance the experience for our Nation's Veterans.

Qualifications

Minimum of one (1) year of experience working as an Optician required. Independent Work Capability: Demonstrated ability to work independently while managing responsibilities efficiently and maintaining high standards of patient service. Prescription Interpretation & Problem Resolution: Ability to identify prescription discrepancies or anomalies and take appropriate corrective action to ensure accuracy and patient satisfaction. Optical Verification & Quality Assurance: Skilled in identifying and resolving optical issues - including prescription verification - transitions verification - optical center alignment - segment height accuracy - and appropriate frame selection. Technical Equipment & Tools Proficiency: Proficient in the use of optical equipment and tools - including: Adjustment and bench tools Lensometer and lens clock Frame heater PD ruler and pupilometer Penlight and interpupillary measuring devices Frame and lens cleaning products Thickness caliper Vertex densometer Tolerance charts Visual acuity charts Identification Requirement: A current - valid REAL ID is required to work with the Veterans Canteen Service.

Duties

• Duties include - but are not limited to the following: Customer Service & Patient Assistance: Greet customers and provide knowledgeable assistance with frame selection - pricing - product options - and delivery timelines
• Maintain a professional - welcoming environment while supporting patients in making informed eyewear decisions
• Eyewear Fitting & Optical Measurements: Perform eyewear fittings and obtain accurate measurements using optical equipment such as digital pupilometers - lensometers - and other tools
• Document patient information and measurements within the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS)
• Order Processing & Sales Support: Process eyewear orders - collect payments - prepare sales documentation - and enter orders into contractor and VA systems
• Promote appropriate lens options - upgrades - and additional eyewear using a consultative - no-pressure sales approach
• Coordination & Issue Resolution: Collaborate with eye clinics - laboratories - prosthetics staff - and vendors to track orders and resolve issues related to missing - damaged - or delayed eyewear
• Address customer concerns professionally and elevate complex issues when necessary
• Inventory & Merchandise Management: Maintain eyewear displays in a clean - organized - and visually appealing manner
• Support merchandise control - pricing - recordkeeping - and protection of inventory and fixed assets.