POSITION TITLE: Optometric Technician

LOCATION: HOPE Clinic - Beltway

REPORTS TO: Site Manager

EDUCATION: High School Diploma or GED; Associate degree preferred; American Board of Opticianry Certification is a plus!

WORK EXPERIENCE: 1-year relevant work experience; previous experience as an optometric technician and/or optician experience is strongly preferred.

SALARY RANGE: $14.50-$15.00/hour

FLSA STATUS: Hourly – Non-Exempt

POSITION TYPE: Full-Time

LANGUAGE: Fluent in English; Bilingual in English and Spanish, Arabic, Burmese, Chinese or other languages is required.

HOPE Clinic provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

JOB SUMMARY:

Optometric Technician will need to work in a fast-paced academic medical optometric setting located within a Federally Qualified Health Center and wants the opportunity for further growth in eye care. They will perform a wide variety of front desk tasks such as registering new patients, scheduling appointments, handling insurance forms, accepting payments, screening telephone calls, and verifying insurance for patients. The optometric technician would also be responsible for direct patient care in the clinical and optical setting and be comfortable assisting patients of all ages including infants and geriatric patients of various non-English ethnic backgrounds. We are open to training the right candidate if they show eagerness and flexibility to learn new skills and possesses strong customer service experience.   

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform variety of duties within vision clinic including but not limited to patient intake and outtake, screening patients, scheduling appointments, verifying insurance, and promoting/selling products as services, as needed;
• Provide high quality patient care to optometry patients including all pretests (such as but not limited to, auto-refraction, automated visual field screenings and visual acuity) and dilation;
• Prepare and assist the Doctor in facilitating patient care;
• Maintain accurate EMR's of patient care, condition, progress, concerns and medical history;
• Assist patients with frame styling, frame repair/adjusting and PD measurements;  
• Able to instruct patients with contact lens insertion, removal, care, and replacement;
• Manage frame, contact lens trials, ophthalmic medication, office material, and inventory of all patient care supplies;
• Take and return patient calls, updating patients on their order status and resolving order issues should they arise. Escalate any issues with the Store Manager, as necessary;
• Ensure equipment, both Optometrist's and pre-test, is properly maintained;
• Review prescriptions and/or patient information carefully and identify special needs. Consult with the Therapeutic Optometrist when necessary;
• Help process incoming and outgoing multidisciplinary provider referrals including co-management surgical procedures;
• Help coordinate communication with various optical labs or community agencies;
• Communicate with different pharmacies, multidisciplinary departments within health center, and ophthalmology surgery centers;
• Shall be able to read, write, and speak proficient English to effectively communicate with patients, clinic staff, providers, product representatives, or language interpreters;
• Comfortable working in an academic setting with clinicians or volunteers;
• Assist with students, residents, and/or volunteer orientations and associated meeting scheduling, as needed;
• Work with Director of Operations/Therapeutic Optometrist and other optical support staff to ensure adequate staffing for appropriate departmental presence and daily operation;
• Attend on-site/off-site community engagement activities and on-site/off-site clinic events and meetings, as needed; 
• Perform other duties as assigned to support HOPE Clinic’s Mission, Vision, and Values.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Professional attitude and appearance; 
• Must be extremely efficient, organized, flexible and resourceful;
• Knowledge of technology and optometric equipment; 
• Bilingual required, clinic services 30 different languages;
• Strong customer service skills and deliver services in a culturally sensitive manner for our non-English speaking patients;
• Insurance verification experience preferred;
• Understand and maintain HIPAA standards of privacy and confidentiality;
• Understand vision and medical insurance;
• Strong written and oral communication skills;
• Able to use Microsoft Office and office equipment (e.g., computer, copier);
• Detail Oriented;
• Able to handle multiple tasks, complexity, and diversity of patients. 

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

High School diploma or GED is required; Associates Degree is preferred. Experience in the optical field and referral/patient navigation is preferred.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:

• Bilingual is required;
• Above average skills in language ability as well as public speaking and writing;
• Must have good transportation and a valid Texas Driver’s license.