Optometry Technician

Department:Optometry

Reports to:Director of Optometry

FLSA Status:Non-Exempt

Type of Position:Full-Time

Revised Date:12/26/2024

MISSION & VISION STATEMENT:

The Kewa Pueblo Health Corporation (KPHC) is established for the purposes of carrying out the vision and mission of the Santo Domingo Health Center (SDHC). The MISSION of KPHC is:  “ENSURING HEALTH & WELLNESS THROUGH EXCELLENCE IN HEALTHCARE WITH RESPECT FOR CULTURE” and the VISION OF KPHC is:  “HEALTHY PEOPLE, HEALTHY COMMUNITY, and HEALTHY LIFESTYLE”.

POSITION PURPOSE:

The Optometry Technician reports directly to the Director of Optometry and is responsible for aiding the Optometrists with the operations of the eye clinic. The technician will operate the optical dispensary, order contact lenses and glasses, acquire patient insurance benefits as they apply to glasses and contact lenses, make referral appointments for patients requiring specialty consultations, answer phone calls, order supplies, and maintain the tidiness and efficiency of the optometry clinic. In addition, the technician will also assist the Optometrists with prescreening patients, entering patient information into the EHR, diagnostic testing, and procedures. 

PERFOMANCE EXPECTATIONS:

In performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees of the Kewa Pueblo Health Center are expected to conform to the following:

• Uphold all principles of confidentiality and patient care to the fullest extent.
• Adhere to all professional and ethical behavior standards of the healthcare industry.
• Interact in an honest, trustworthy and dependable manner with patients, employees and vendors.
• Possess cultural awareness and sensitivity.
• Maintain a current insurable driver’s license.
• Complete all training as required.
• Comply with all Kewa Pueblo Health Corporation and Santo Domingo Health Center policies and procedures, as well
• Attends all departmental and facility meetings as directed by the Director of Optometry.
• Complete all training courses within the facility as required.
• Complete all continuing education as required by certifications.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES, FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Clinical duties:

For technicians assigned to clinic:

• Ordering contact lenses, tracking contact orders, and notifying patients when lenses arrive, and scheduling fittings.
• Teaching patients about contact lens care and insertion/removal.
• Acquiring patient insurance coverage information and applying material benefits accurately.
• Making referral appointments for patients needing specialty consultations and monitoring approvals through PRC.
• Assisting the Optometrist with direct patient care. This may include, but is not limited to, assisting with patient positioning, recording patient health history, using the lensmeter, operating the visual field machine, OCT, fundus camera, pachymeter, auto refractor, topography, tonometry, taking visual acuity, as well as using the EMR to record patient data.
• Assisting the Optometrists with procedures, follow up calls to patients, requesting outside records, and coordinating care with other providers.
• Assisting the Optometrist with tasks associated with maintaining the quality and efficiency of the eye clinic.
• Assisting the Optometry Office Assistant with answering phone calls, returning calls, and taking patient orders over the phone.
• Managing continuous and timely patient flow by effectively communicating with the Optometrists and other team members.
• Verifying and maintaining stock level and disposal for all expired supply item monthly.
• Disinfecting equipment and instruments between patients and at the end of the day. 
• Performing other duties that may emerge over the course of the eye clinic’s operations including coverage in the Optical.
• Cross training in Optical

For technicians assigned to optical:

• Maintaining accounts with the optical lab and contact lens distributor and assuring accounts are accurate and in good standing.
• Monitoring stock of frames and reordering as necessary
• Dispensing, ordering, fitting, and adjusting eyeglass frames and lenses.
• Measuring patients for eyewear, assisting in frame and lens selection
• Keeping order information up to date in EMR
• Notifying patients of orders, delays
• Tracking eyeglass referrals
• Assisting the technicians assigned to the Optometrists as needed.
• Cross training in clinic

Administrative duties:

• Actively participates in any departmental QA/QI projects
• Performs other duties as assigned by Director of Optometry and Optometrists.
• Assists technicians in other areas of the clinic when staffing levels require

MINIMUM MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Experience:

• Three (3) years’ experience in optometry clinic/optical.

Mandatory Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Qualifications:

•          Patient care will be carried out in a respectful caring manner, with cultural awareness.

•          Proficient in speaking, writing and communication skills.

•          Ability to meet and deal with a variety of internal and external customers.

•          Ability to be educated in the proficient use of numerous technical medical and ophthalmological devices.

•          Comprehensive knowledge of KPHC staff by-laws, rules and regulations.

•          A record of satisfactory performance in all prior and current employment as evidenced by positive employment references from previous and current employers.

•          Ability to perform other duties as assigned.

• Incumbent may be required to work day, evening or holiday shifts.

•          Familiarity with the mandatory reporting requirements under the Indian Child Protection Act, with regards to suspected incidence of child abuse or child neglect. 

•          Candidate must demonstrate the sensitivity, maturity, diplomacy and tact necessary to effectively address complex situations.

•          Candidate must demonstrate a strong commitment to ethics and a high level of personal and professional integrity, communication, and customer service skills.

•          Candidate must have basic familiarity with federal and state policies relating to healthcare management.

•          Candidate must be computer literate and highly proficient in Microsoft office programs.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Current ABO certification or other Paraoptometric certification such as CPO.
• Bilingual skills in English and the Keres native language.
• Prior experience working with Indian Health Services (IHS), a Tribe or Tribal Organization.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the primary functions of this job. Normal office conditions exist, and the noise level in the work environment can vary from low to moderate. This position may be exposed to certain health risks that are inherent when working within a health center facility.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to frequently stand, walk, sit, bend, twist, talk and hear. There may be prolonged periods of sitting, keyboarding, reading, as well as driving or riding in transport vehicles. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include reading, distance, computer, and color vision. Talking and hearing are essential to communicate with patients, vendors and staff.

MENTAL DEMANDS:

There are a number of deadlines associated with this position. The employee must also multi-task and interact with a wider variety of people on various and, at times, complicated issues. 

OTHER:

All employees must uphold all principles of confidentiality and patient care to the fullest extent. This position has access to sensitive information and a breach of these principles will be grounds for immediate termination.

Disclaimer:  The information on this position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performance by employees in this position.  It is not designed to contain, or be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this position. Employees will be asked to perform other duties as needed.

Salary Range:  $23.21 to $34.81