Summary

The Optical Technician should have experience in utilizing specialized testing for use during patient care as well as a working knowledge of fitting and dispensing eyewear and contact lens ordering/verifications of varying complexity.  The candidate should demonstrate an interest in service, scholarly activity, and/or teaching in the field of eye care. The ideal candidate should have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work closely with faculty, residents, students, and patients. Strong organizational skills and effective communication are essential. This position works closely with the Clinical Care Lead of the Contact Lens Department, as well as faculty, staff, students, residents, and patients, and reports to the Clinic Manager of the Eye Institute.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Participate in University outreach activities. Follow the appropriate professional standards of care and clinic protocols. Assist in the identification of challenges and recommendation of solutions for the Eye Institute faculty, staff, and students. Maintain open lines of communication. Establish a welcoming atmosphere to support morale and to promote collegiality among colleagues, staff, and students. Become and maintain competence in the use of electronic health record and optical management systems. Ensure electronic medical records for which they are responsible are completed and closed by the end of the clinical day. Assist in identification of discrepancies in patient needs and recommendations. Be responsible for overseeing contact lens trial supply, processing order, tracking warranties, parameter and order verifications, patient scheduling/tracking, contact lens inventory including but not limited to solutions, contact lens kits, sterilization of DMVs/lenses, etc. Be responsible for assisting with prosthetic orders and scheduling. Assist doctors, residents, and students with the delivery of care to patients including but not limited to imaging, insertion and removal training, patient education on proper contact lens hygiene and care, etc. Able to collaborate with students, residents, contact lens, service, and optical representatives as needed. Report misconduct, patient abandonment, refusal to comply with established protocol, or disregard for the patient’s welfare to the Clinic Manager.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. This individual must be able to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner and have regular, predictable, in-person attendance. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience                                                   

A high school diploma or GED equivalent is required, along with a minimum of four years of ophthalmic job-related experience, including experience in an optometric environment.  Associate degree and National Contact Lens Examiners Certification (NCLE) preferred.  Dispensing Optician State Licensing preferred. 

Computer Skills                                               

Computer proficiency in Electronic Health Records, MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook). 

Language Skills                                                

Intermediate 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 employees of organization.

Reasoning Ability                                             

Intermediate skills:  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.

 Mathematical Ability

Intermediate skills:  Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interests, commissions and proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.  Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, use hands to handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and sit.  Ability to tolerate repeated routine tasks.

The employee must frequently lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Midwestern University is a private, not-for-profit organization that provides graduate and post-graduate education in the health sciences. The University has two campuses, one in Downers Grove, Illinois and the other in Glendale, Arizona. More than 6,000 full-time students are enrolled in graduate programs in osteopathic medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nurse anesthesia, cardiovascular perfusion, podiatry, optometry, clinical psychology, speech language pathology, biomedical sciences and veterinary medicine. Over 500 full-time faculty members and 400 staff members are dedicated to the education and development of our students in an environment that encourages learning, respect for all members of the health care team, service, interdisciplinary scholarly activity, and personal growth.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance plans as well as life insurance, short/long term disability and pet insurance.  We offer flexible spending accounts including healthcare reimbursement and child/dependent care account.  We offer a work life balance with competitive time off package including paid holiday’s, sick/flex days, personal days and vacation days.  We offer a 403(b) retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, child care subsidy reimbursement program, identity theft protection and an employee assistance program.  Wellness is important to us and we offer a wellness facility on-site with a fully equipped fitness facility. 

Midwestern University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that does not discriminate against an employee or applicant based upon race; color; religion; creed; national origin or ancestry; ethnicity; sex (including pregnancy); gender (including gender expressions, gender identity; and sexual orientation); marital status; age; disability; citizenship; past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services; genetic information; or any other protected class, in accord with all federal, state and local laws, and regulation.  Midwestern University complies with the Smoke-Free Arizona Act (A.R.S. 36-601.01) and the Smoke-Free Illinois Act (410 ILCS 82/).  Midwestern University complies with the Illinois Equal Pay Act of 2003 and Arizona Equal Pay Acts.