Optician Apprentice (NL)

Key Responsibilities

• Optical Lab Operations

• Operate optical lab equipment, including lens blockers and edgers, to process prescription lenses.

• Input prescriptions into the blocker and edger systems and select the appropriate lens blanks through the online ordering portal.

• Block, cut, edge, and polish lenses according to prescription specifications and frame requirements.

• Perform lens mounting and dismounting.

• Inspect finished lenses to verify prescription accuracy, measurements, lens quality, and proper fit within the frame before dispensing.

• Identify and correct lens defects or processing errors.

• Perform routine maintenance of optical lab equipment, including scheduled water changes for edger units and maintaining clean and operational work areas.

• Monitor lab supplies and report equipment maintenance needs or malfunctions.

• Optician Apprentice Operations

• Fills prescriptions for patients based on eye care consultation.

• Consults with patients to determine their current lens prescription.

• Recommends specific lenses, lens coatings, and frames for patients.

• Assists patients with frame selection.

• Measures a patient’s bridge and eye size, temple length, seg. height, pupillary distance, and optical centers of eyes.

• Prepares work orders and instructions for lenses and eyeglass production.

• Verifies finished lenses match specifications.

• Adjusts eyeglasses by heating, bending, and shaping plastic or metal frames.

• Instructs clients in adapting to, wearing, and caring for eyeglasses.

• Sells contact lenses. Assists patients in insertion and removal of contact lenses.

• Repairs damaged frames, lens edges, and coatings.

• Selects and orders frames for display and maintains proper inventory counts monthly.

• Computes amount of sale and collects payment for services.

• Enters V-code on hardware purchases for billing to insurance and/or self-pay patients.

• Collects and posts payments onto systems and balances cash till at end of day.

• Generates weekly reports including order status, inventory, pending invoices, and lenses sold.

• Reviews patient reports daily and calls to schedule overdue patients.

• Assists and provides instructions and training to co-workers in the department.

• Provides front desk support when needed, registering patient information using two (2) patient identifiers at check-in and scheduling recall visits at departure.

• Verifies patient insurance eligibility and routine/hardware benefits for every insured patient.

• Answers incoming phone calls regarding scheduling and general eye care information.

• Input prescription into the blocker and edger systems, select correct lens blank through online portal; block, cut, and polish lenses.

• Assembly and mounting of lenses into frames.

• Other duties as assigned.

• Promotes a positive work culture and upholds clinic policies and procedures.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Optical Lab Equipment: Lens blockers, edgers
• Software: Microsoft Word, Excel
• Tools: Calculator, computer terminals
• Other: Telephone

Qualifications

• Professional and Technical Knowledge

• Possesses basic level of mathematical knowledge typically acquired through completion of a high school program.

• Ability to obtain knowledge of contact lens fitting and eyeglass ordering, adjustment, and repair.

• Ability to obtain knowledge of eye care appointment types and scheduling.

• Technical Skills

• Working knowledge of computer terminals, computer software, calculator, and telephone.

• Ability to prepare basic correspondence and simple reports in Microsoft Word or Excel.

• Ability to work on projects in a group setting and individually.

• Communication Skills

• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from clients and the general public.

• Proficiency in speaking, reading, and translating both English and Spanish.

• Ability to resolve and document clinical issues, complaints, and unexpected incidents.

• Ability to communicate clearly with vendors, manufacturers, and insurance companies.