OPHTHALMIC TECHNICIAN

Closing Date: Open Until Filled (OUF)

Salary Range: $19.06 - $22.88/hour

**APPICANT MUST HAVE A VALID, UNRESTRICTED INSURABLE DRIVERS LICENSE**

**RESUMES AND REFERENCES ARE REQUIRED**

ESSENTIAL DUTIES, FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Directly responsible for the eyeglass programs in the hospital including but not limited to: Commissioned Corps Eyeglasses, employee safety-glasses, Managed Care Services Refractive Treatment Services program, the Patient Pay program, and AHCCCS program. These responsibilities include assisting patients in selecting the correct frames, ordering the frames/lenses, monitoring all billing, verifying the finished eyeglasses against ANSI eyeglass standards, notifying the patient when the eyeglasses are ready to be picked-up, and making all necessary adjustments to the eyeglasses at the time of dispensing.
• Performs screening to include: visual acuity, confrontation visual fields, inter-pupillary distance measurements and neutralization of the patient's glasses by manual and automated lensometry. records health history and chief complaints.
• Prepares patients for examination. Assists eye care professional in examination as required. Assists with procedures by preparing the patient using standard precautions. This includes preparing the examination room, positioning the patient, preparing any instruments needed and assisting the optometrist, as needed.
• Provides Navajo and English interpretation/explanation for doctors and patients when needed to answer patient questions, or to prepare the patient for examination and to assist the optometrist and patient in communicating. This interpretation must include a thorough understanding of ophthalmic anatomy, disease and procedures. These concepts must be communicated to the patient in a manner that respects the patient and his/her culture.
• Performs other tests as requested by the optometrist including, but not limited to, visual field testing (automated and manual), non-contact tonometry, visual skills testing, depth perception, keratometry (automated), auto refraction.
• Performs anterior and retinal photography for the documentation of ocular disease. Properly record finding in the patient chart. Correctly instill ophthalmic medications in the patient's eyes for either the purpose of ocular evaluation or therapy in accordance with the optometrist's instructions.
• Inserts and/or prepares the applicable patient flow sheets/forms for the optometrist's use. Educates patients regarding the proper care of eyeglasses and different aspects of ocular health and eyeglasses including but not limited to: bifocals, progressive lenses, various lens materials, tinted lenses, etc.
• Provides and assists one-to-one, group, and community patient education in the Navajo language and in the English language relative to optical and ocular disease conditions; including, but not limited to, the proper use of ocular pharmacological agents, diagnosis, prognosis, follow-up, eye wear, and adjustments of eye-wear. Education to community groups includes presentations to school groups, senior centers, health fairs on topics such as: glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, surgery and refractive error. Maintain the supply of patient education materials.
• Coordinates the use of services from other providers, scheduling of patients, transportation, and other activities necessary to obtain evaluation and treatment results from referral sources in a timely manner. Coordinates referrals with IHS and non-IHS offices (e.g. Contract Health Services, private insurance companies).
• Completes correspondence, filing and other paperwork related to other eye clinic necessities
• Maintains equipment, materials and supplies. Cleans equipment after patient use, complies with infection control policies and procedures.
• Completes laboratory request slips and delivers specimens. Delivers and retrieves instruments for sterilization. Maintains calibration for all necessary equipment and instrumentation on a regular basis. Maintains ordering and requests logs of supplies.
• Assists the doctor in school screening activities. Trains others in vision screening techniques.
• Attend in-service training and meetings. Represents the hospital at meetings, health fairs, tribal meetings, etc. Performs community vision related surveys, educational meetings, etc.
• Assist in training of other Ophthalmic technician(s).
• Takes an active leadership role to ensure that the valued patients receive the very best customer service experience.
• Proactively monitor clinic supply inventory and equipment needs (repairs).
• Responsible for handling upset patients, as needed. Assess the situation and resolve problem to the patient full satisfaction.
• Assist the optician with Frame Board Management (frame inventory, collecting invoices, generate inventory reports and initiate check requests for lab).
• Work collaboratively with other safety departments and stakeholders to ensure a safe environment.
• Communicate safety information and concerns effectively to colleagues.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

MANDATORY MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience and Education: High school diploma or Equivalency (HSE) with two (2) years’ experience in an optometry outpatient setting and willing to train as an Ophthalmic Technician

High school diploma or Equivalency (HSE) plus successful completion of an approved program for an Ophthalmic Technician plus a minimum of one (1) year of satisfactory, full-time work experience under professional optometrist supervision.

Please email current valid insurable driver’s license, high school diploma and college degree or transcripts to Loren.Begay@fdihb.org

NAVAJO/INDIAN PREFERENCE

FDIHB and its facilities are located within the Navajo Nation and, in accordance with Navajo Nation law, has implemented a Navajo/Indian Preference in Employment Policy. Pursuant to this Policy, applicants who meet the minimum qualifications for this position and who are enrolled members of the Navajo Nation will be given primary preference in hiring and employment for this position and members of other federally-recognized Indian tribes will be given secondary preference. Other candidates will be considered only after all candidates entitled to primary or secondary preference have been fully considered.

Salary : $19 - $23