What are the responsibilities and job description for the OPTICIAN position at Kaiser Permanente?
To provide superior optical service to all Kaiser Foundation Health Plan members and consumers in the form of recommending high quality, latest technology, affordable eyewear, while educating on the importance of good eye health. Performs optical dispensing duties, including preparing orders for prescription eyewear; fitting and adjusting eyeglasses and other vision appliances; lifestyle dispensing; and instructing patients for selection of attractive and appropriate eye eyeglass frames. Provides general customer and office support as required in addition to the above duties. To build the experience and qualifications required to be eligible to obtain the License Dispensing Optician status for the state of WA. Optician 1's shall be expected to learn and further develop their base skills in optical knowledge and optical dispensing while on the job, and to utilize available resources including LDO (License Dispensing Optician) mentorship and others for all training opportunities as needed. Contact Lens training and Exposure: providing optimum care to contact lens patients; ensuring that all prescriptions are ordered, received, and dispensed as prescribed; instructing patients on proper use and maintenance of contact lenses; update applicable charting; manage patient flow; maintaining inventory of contact lenses and supplies; answering telephones, evaluating calls received, responding to patient inquiries, and routing calls as needed.
Essential Responsibilities:
Provide attentive and quality customer service and ophthalmic eyewear services. Greets and welcomes members via warm transition of care from optometry back office and clinic walk-in members upon arrival in a courteous and timely manner. Assists and directs members in order of arrival, while keeping other members informed of place in queue and approximate wait time. Determines eligibility and applies member vision benefits according too optical rider plan design. Assists members with selection of eyeglass frame styles that are compatible with member's prescription and personal needs. Asks appropriate questions to ascertain occupational, lifestyle, and cosmetic needs. Provides guidance and recommendations in the selection process regarding comfort, cosmetic, occupational, and functionality aspects of frames, lenses, and treatment options. Understands and conveys price, promotional opportunities, and associated costs of ophthalmic care and products to members. Enters member orders into optical point of sale system. Determines and ensures proper application of all member vision benefit plans collects member payments and follows proper cash handling procedures and processes.
Develops strengths and abilities in interpreting written optometric prescriptions and analyzing the various alternatives by which it can be filled to make the appropriate recommendations to the patient including: the design, ordering, dispensing, fitting, adjusting, and repairing of eyeglass and low vision devices. Educates members about the ordering, dispensing, fitting, adjusting, and repairing of eyeglasses. Measures and calculates fitting and fabrication specifications and prepares fabrication specifications accordingly for ordering. Builds familiarity and understanding around national quality standards and other regulatory guidelines and insure that members receive quality ophthalmic products in addition to courteous and professional service.
Assists in retail merchandising activities by ordering, pricing, cleaning, and stocking items in accordance with regional frame display planning guidelines or promotions. Responsibly manages, protects, and accounts for all program assets, including: inventory, funds, tools, and OTC sales merchandise. Verifies vendor product and contact lens invoices for final reconciliation and payment by VE accounts payable.
Engages in and supports 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 workflow training, sharing duties with others and assisting Optical Location Manager in special projects.
Collaborates and coordinates with VE Eye Care, Membership Services, and other Kaiser Permanente departments to deliver optimum patient care including answering telephones, evaluating calls received and routing as appropriate, responding to patient inquiries, and appointment scheduling as required. Can be proficient in appointment making capabilities to provide a seamless experience for members.
Assist in training of new employees
Through apprenticeship training program, provide optimum care to contact lens patient ensuring that all prescriptions are ordered, received, and dispense as prescribed; instructing patients on proper use and maintenance of contact lenses; updating applicable charting; managing patient flow; maintaining inventory of contact lenses and supplies.
Perform other duties as requested.
Qualifications:
Basic Qualifications:
Experience
Minimum three (3) years of experience as a dispensing or fabricating optician.
Minimum two (2) years of experience in optometric or optical practice where contact lenses have been dispensed or current Kaiser Permanente contact lens experience.
Education
High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED) required.
License, Certification, Registration
Must acquire Washington Dispensing Apprenticeship Registration, within 90 days of hire.
Additional Requirements:
Ability to learn and apply working knowledge of ophthalmic dispensing theory and practice.
Demonstrated customer-focused service skills, communication skills, and interpersonal skills.
Basic mathematics.
Demonstrated ability to multi-task and work in a fast pace environment.
Familiarity with personal computers and an ability to operate multiple computer systems in a multi-user environment.
Apply learning and knowledge of both spectacle and contact lens products such as lens materials, designs, coatings, frame structures, adjustment techniques, and fitting processes into daily activities and care experiences.
Ability to maintain a good working relationship between Optical Dispensing, Optometry, Ophthalmology, and other Kaiser Permanente departments to ensure delivery of an effective and high quality service experience.
Ability to work in high-volume department and prioritize multiple assigned tasks.
Able to respond effectively to requests from members/patients, providers, and other coworkers. To prioritize these requests and multi-task in following through without compromising service.
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