Optician, Dispensing Jobs

• Prepare, analyze, update, and maintain all daily and month-end business reports and invoices. Check invoices for accuracy and submit to manager for approval and payment. Coordinate ordering of multiple forms and supplies for appropriate clinics.
• Provide specific instructions to individual patients and groups on correct handling and care of contact lenses. Teach patients correct application and removal of contact lenses, proper hygiene, how to clean lenses, warning signs of developing problems, and the importance of all of these factors as they relate to maintaining good eye health and clear vision.
• Provide ophthalmic eyewear services, including: the design, ordering, dispensing, fitting, adjusting, and repairing of eyeglasses and low vision devices. Services are accomplished in direct interaction with the patient utilizing a doctor's prescription, taking and recording various anatomical measurements and obtaining information supplied by the patient. Subsequent visits by the patient involve dispensing and maintenance of ophthalmic eyewear.
• Collaborate and coordinate with Optical Dispensing, Optometry, Membership Services, Ophthalmology, and other Kaiser Permanente departments to deliver optimum patient care. Participate in training of appointment clerks to schedule and screen for contact lens appointments. This requires a total understanding of Kaiser policies and procedures and essential knowledge of Vision Care Benefits.
• Interview patient to ascertain occupational, lifestyle, and cosmetic needs. Advise patient regarding comfort, cosmetic and safety options, including; frame shape, frame material, color, lens styles, materials, colors, tints and other accessories and treatments.
• Maintain instruments and equipment in the Contact Lens Department to ensure accuracy. Clean equipment and instruments on a routine basis. Assess and arrange for repairs and calibration, when necessary.
• Perform other duties as requested.
• Demonstrate ability to accurately fill patients' Contact Lens prescriptions. Order patients' lenses from the appropriate outside vendor. Inspect lenses using appropriate instrumentation to verify that prescription and lens parameters are as specified in approved accuracy tables. Notify patient when lenses are ready to be picked up and schedule appointment to dispense lenses.
• Support the activities of program doctors and fellow staff members in enhancing member service and achieving departmental goals. Display a positive team spirit by participating in cross-training, sharing duties with others and assisting Optical Manager in special projects.
• Insure that members receive quality ophthalmic products and courteous, professional service. Product quality assurance includes accurate and precise lens fabrication meeting provider's and optician's specifications and conforming to ANSI and other applicable regulatory requirements. Service involves resolving issues common in optical practice, including: member concerns, perceived patient vision needs, optical lab fabrication limitations, and patient to provider communication. Maintain relevant documentation.
• Responsibly manage and protect and account for all program assets, including: inventory, funds, tools, sundry sales merchandise.
• Promote competence and professionalism by maintaining proficiency in contemporary dispensing skills, updating product knowledge through regular participation in continuing education programs and affiliation with professional associations. Project a positive image of Kaiser Permanente Eye Care Services at all times.
• Maintain accurate records and reports for the Contact Lens Department. Update all patient clinical records in a neat and accurate manner. Prepare charts for daily appointments. Ensure that the patient fully understands fees involved. Verify and update each patient's Vision Care Benefits and utilization history in Common Membership System (CMS). Telephone patient to confirm appointment times and ensure that the patient fully understands fees involved. Verify and update each patient's Vision Care Benefits and utilization history in CMS System.
• Accurately measure and shape lenses and adjust frames utilizing ophthalmic equipment including hand edgers, lensometer, pupilometer, soldering machines, and precision hand tools. Operate Point-of-Sale computer terminal to enter prescription and sales information into the automated processing and information system.
• Interpret written optometric prescriptions and analyze the various alternatives by which it can be filled in order to make recommendations to the patient. Measure and calculate fitting and fabrication specifications. Advise the patient concerning available ophthalmic materials. Recommend the most favorable combination of the above factors for each eyeglass order to meet the clinical requirements and the patient's personal preferences. Prepare fabrication specifications accordingly.
• Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of fees and benefits for contact lens services and effectively explain them to patients. Following all departmental policies, procedures, behavior guidelines, and standards for the treatment of members: Receive and manage phone calls from patients. Based on information elicited from patient, independently assess the nature of the situation, determine type of service or appointment needed, and triage accordingly. Schedule appointment if need is urgent or direct call to Appointment Center to schedule routine appointment. Respond to member inquiries and complaints and resolve or forward to the manager.

• Demonstrate working knowledge of ophthalmic dispensing theory and practice.
• Use and care of tools and equipment used in optical dispensing.
• Knowledge:
• Demonstrate proficiency in use of equipment and instrumentation used in contact lens practice.
• Ability to operate dispensing equipment, including; lens hand edger, lensometer, frame warmer, pupilometer, zyl hinge repair unit, and various optical hand tools.
• Demonstrated experience with contact lens measuring and modification instruments.
• Familiarity with optometry and ophthalmology terminology.
• Must acquire ABO Certification, within 2 years of hire/transfer. Additional Requirements:
• Thorough knowledge of contact lens dispensing practice.
• Able to respond effectively to requests from members/patients, providers, and other coworkers. Preferred Qualifications:
• Basic mathematics.
• Minimum one (1) year Optical Laboratory experience or equivalent.
• Demonstrate working knowledge with contact lens equipment and instrumentation.
• Demonstrate effective customer service skills, communication skills, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of optical theory, ocular treatment, and product knowledge.
• Demonstrate thorough product knowledge, including lens materials, designs and coatings, frame structure and adjustment techniques, contact lens materials, design, and fitting process.
• Ability to use basic computer applications (spreadsheets and word processing).
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task and work in fast-paced environment.
• Able to work in a high-volume department and prioritize multiple assigned tasks.
• Recent contact lens dispensing experience.
• High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED) required. License, Certification, Registration
• Minimum two (2) years experience in optometric or optical practice where contact lenses have been dispensed or current Kaiser Permanente Contact Lens experience. Education
• Including: radiuscope, peak scope, diameter and thickness gauges, lensometer and contact lens modification unit.
• Skills/Abilities: (including equipment operation)
• Minimum three (3) years experience as a dispensing or fabricating optician.
• Minimum two (2) years experience in optometry or optical practice where contact lenses have been dispensed.
• Fitting consultation training (color and frame fashion).
• Excellent interpersonal and retail optical sales skills.
• Thorough knowledge of Kaiser Permanente Vision Care Program, policies & procedures, behavior guidelines, and familiarity with HMO concepts.
• Operation of basic office machines (photocopier, 10-key, card imprinter, and computer keyboard).
• Working knowledge of Kaiser Permanente computer systems pertinent to performing the functions of this position.
• Demonstrate effective selling skills and tactfully influence patient choices.
• Ability to operate electric and butane soldering units.
• Skills/Abilities: (include equipment operation):
• Basic optical lab finishing skills.
• Ability to operate basic office machines.
• Ability to maintain a good working relationship between the reception area and Optical Dispensing, Optometry, Ophthalmology, Contact Lens Services, to ensure delivery of an effective and high quality Eye Care Services program.

Note:

• Travel locations: LVK, SAL, CPK, ORC, TNB, SST, TNB, CEC, RKW, NLR, SKY.