Optech (Optician and OD Technician) - Multiple Locations!

Optech (Optician & Technician) Job Description

Job Title: Optech (Optician & Technician)

Reports To: Practice Manager

Updated: September 2024

The Optech (Optician & Technician) role is a dynamic and integral part of the practice, combining the responsibilities of both an Ophthalmic Technician and an Optician. This hybrid position requires expertise in optometric testing and patient care, while also providing consultative sales services for eyewear and contact lenses. The Optech plays a vital role in ensuring a seamless patient experience from the initial pre-exam stage through to the final eyewear dispensing and aftercare. You will be responsible for maintaining accurate patient records, conducting tests using state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, and contributing to the financial success of the practice by promoting premium eyewear products.

This position demands a balance of technical skills, product knowledge, and customer service to ensure patients receive the highest standard of care while helping the practice achieve its operational goals.

• Comprehensive Testing & Diagnostics: Perform a wide range of ophthalmic and optometric tests, including auto-refraction, retinal photography, visual fields, topography, dry eye analyzers, meibography, OCT, dilation, and lensometry. This testing is essential for providing the doctors with a clear understanding of each patient’s eye health.
• Equipment Maintenance & Calibration: Maintain and regularly calibrate all diagnostic equipment, promptly reporting any malfunctions to the Practice Manager to ensure uninterrupted service.
• Patient History & Data Management: Take comprehensive case histories, including patient complaints, medical concerns, and family eye health history, and input all relevant data into Examwriter. Accurately document and communicate testing results to doctors prior to the patient’s exam to ensure continuity of care.
• Promote Regular Eye Exams & Recall Programs: Encourage patients to schedule follow-up exams and routine eye check-ups, promoting the importance of ongoing eye health management.
• Insurance Verification & Billing Support: Assist with verifying patient insurance coverage and ensure accurate billing for procedures, tests, and services.
• Ongoing Education & Best Practices: Stay up to date on current industry trends, diagnostic techniques, and optometric best practices to ensure the highest standard of patient care.

• Patient Consultations & Frame Selection: Provide personalized consultations for patients selecting eyewear, utilizing your expertise in frame measurements, lifestyle assessments, and prescription compatibility to recommend the best frame and lens combinations.
• Product Knowledge & Education: Keep an in-depth knowledge of eyewear products, including frames, lenses, and contact lenses. Educate patients on the latest advancements in eyewear technology, such as blue light filtering lenses, high-index lenses, and progressive lens options. Guide patients to make informed decisions that suit their individual needs, lifestyle, and aesthetic preferences.
• Sales & Upselling: Convert patient engagement into sales by confidently recommending premium eyewear products, multiple pairs, and specialty lenses such as prescription sunglasses or computer glasses. The ability to upsell premium options, such as anti-reflective coatings and high-definition lenses, is critical to the role.
• Eyewear Adjustments & Repairs: Perform precise adjustments to ensure the best fit for glasses, and handle minor repairs such as tightening screws or realigning frames to ensure customer satisfaction post-purchase.
• Order Management & Follow-Up: Manage all aspects of eyewear and contact lens orders, ensuring prompt follow-up with labs and patients. Maintain detailed records of the status of each order, notify patients when their eyewear is ready for pickup, and communicate any delays or issues with the Practice Manager.
• Inventory Control & Vendor Communication: Maintain inventory levels for frames, contact lenses, and lab supplies. Ensure that contact lens trials, prescription glasses, and specialty items are in stock and promptly reordered as needed. Regularly communicate with vendors to resolve any discrepancies or supply issues.

• Seamless Patient Experience: Manage the patient’s journey through the office, ensuring smooth transitions from pre-testing to examination with the doctor, to eyewear selection with the optician, and finally to check out. Regularly check in with patients while they are waiting to ensure they feel attended to and informed about the next steps.
• Patient Record Accuracy: Ensure that all patient records, including medical history, prescriptions, and insurance details, are accurately documented and up to date in both physical and digital formats.
• Patient Communication & Education: Clearly communicate with patients regarding appointment schedules, insurance coverage, services offered, and pricing. Be proactive in addressing patient concerns or questions related to their care or eyewear products.

• Insurance Verification: Verify insurance benefits prior to patient pre-testing and confirm coverage for procedures, eyewear, and contact lenses.
• Accurate Billing: Ensure that all services, products, and tests are accurately billed to the patient or their insurance, with appropriate discounts applied when needed.
• Claims Submission & Management: Submit insurance claims in a timely and accurate manner, ensuring the claims management system is kept up to date.

• Office Opening/Closing: Follow established office procedures for opening and closing, ensuring the practice is ready for patient appointments and the workday begins efficiently.
• Maintaining Professional Environment: Keep the practice environment clean, organized, and professional, paying special attention to exam rooms, the dispensary, and frame displays.
• Team Collaboration: Participate in daily huddles and work collaboratively with other team members to achieve practice-wide patient care and sales goals. Assist colleagues as needed in scheduling, patient check-in, and eyewear dispensing.

• Interpersonal Communication: Establish rapport and trust with diverse patients, effectively guiding them through each stage of their visit.
• Technical Proficiency: Strong knowledge of optometric testing, frame selection, and contact lens fitting. Ability to operate diagnostic equipment and troubleshoot any issues.
• Sales Expertise: Confident in promoting and selling eyewear products, with the ability to explain product benefits and value to patients.
• Insurance & Billing Knowledge: Familiar with insurance plans, benefits, and billing processes. Able to manage claims and ensure accurate submissions.
• Attention to Detail: Highly organized with strong follow-through, ensuring all tasks—whether testing, patient record-keeping, or order management—are completed with accuracy.
• Team Player: Able to work well with others, communicate openly, and support the team in achieving collective goals. Collaborates effectively to ensure a smooth operation of the practice.
• Dependability: Punctual, reliable, and consistently performs duties to the highest standard.

• Minimum High School Diploma; college degree preferred.
• 1-3 years of experience in optical or optometry settings, ideally in a private practice.
• Familiarity with insurance plans and medical billing.
• Certified Optician preferred; certification expected within 12 months of hire.
• Proficiency with Office Mate or similar practice management software.

• Next Level Positions:
• Assistant Practice Manager
• Practice Manager

This hybrid Optech role offers a comprehensive career path for individuals looking to expand their skill set in both optometry technology and optical sales. As a key player in the patient care process, the Optech is instrumental in helping patients achieve optimal vision health while supporting the practice’s operational and financial goals.