Optician Dispenser-Licensed Lead

Under indirect supervision, provides ophthalmic dispensing and related services through sales to members and non-members; provides direct supervision of unlicensed optical sales staff; serves as informational and training resource for  unlicensed optical staff in determining patients eyewear needs; prepares, dispenses, interprets, measures, adapts, fits and adjusts lenses, spectacles, eyeglasses or appliances as prescribed by optometrist or ophthalmologist;  In addition, assumes responsibility for operation of Optical Sales Office;  plans, schedules, and directs work of assigned personnel; acts as liaison between clinic and Optometry staff and Optical Administration; serves as resource and educator to staff and patients on general ophthalmic dispensing principles.

• Determines ophthalmic patients occupational, lifestyle and cosmetic needs; advises and recommends lens style, color and material and frame shape, color and material; prices eyeglass order according to patients Health Plan coverage.


• Takes facial measurements, i.e., pupillary distances, segment heights, lens base curves, frame size, etc. for spectacle fabrication by using PD ruler, pupilometer, and lens clock, vertometer, lensometer, etc.


• Provides direct personal supervision of unlicensed optical staff in regard to facial measurements, fitting or adjusting lenses or frames or duplicating frames.


• Understands and explains spectacle lens geometry to patients; applies spectacle lens principles of size, thickness and power in assisting patients in selecting proper eyewear.


• Knows impact of different lens indexes; recommends appropriate alternatives.


• Under indirect supervision, provides ophthalmic eyewear services by selling, fitting, ordering, dispensing, adjusting and repairing spectacles and other low vision devices.


• Measures and shapes lenses and adjusts frames utilizing ophthalmic equipment including lens edger, hand edger, lensometer, frame warmer and precision hand tools.


• Inspects patients eyewear using ANSI Z80.1 standards and tolerances; performs and confirms with licensed dispensing optician in depth quality check functions; reviews patients previous prescription and Identifies changes, and refers as necessary to licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist for issuance of updated prescription or other appropriate action; identifies when bicentric grinding is/is not needed; confirms with licensed dispensing optician that simple and compound prism is manufactured according to specifications prescribed by licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist.


• Follows-through on rush orders by calling order into Optical Lab and making certain of lenses and frame availability.


• Performs variety of basic and technical duties to provide Contact Lens services; prepares patients for contact lens services; instructs patients in insertion, removal, and care of contact lenses; performs tear tests; rinses eyes, inserts and removes contact lenses; cleans and disinfects contact lenses; orders contact lenses and dispenses them upon prescription of licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist; takes messages for follow-up by Optometrist or Contact Lens Technician; refers patients with ocular problems to clinic.


• Identifies patient concerns; recommends actions to be taken; discusses solution/action with Optical management as needed; follows-through with resolution.


• Collaborates with optical management to achieve in obtaining optical services sales goals: strives to achieve optical services sales goals; works collaboratively with optical management to improve sales and service in Region.


• Maintains attractive frame and lens displays by arranging, cleaning and changing product on regular basis; monitors clinic frame inventory status by ordering, pricing and placing stock on frame boards; keeps track of backorder products and takes action as necessary.


• Serves as resource to staff and educator to patients on general ophthalmic dispensing principles.


• Trains and assists new hires and other staff members as needed.


• Provides direct personal supervision of unlicensed optical staff in regard to facial fitting or adjusting lenses or frames or duplicating frames.


• Plans, coordinates, and assigns tasks to department personnel in order to assure optimum quality and productivity; serves as resource in resolution of problems and introduction of new products and procedures; refers personnel issues to supervisor.


• Acts as liaison between clinic, Optometry and optical management; participates in clinic meetings and projects.


• Plans, coordinates, schedules work, orients and/or trains assigned subordinates; assures quality of work in timely manner to meet service standards for department.


• Demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to provide care and/or service appropriate to age groups served.


• Demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to provide culturally sensitive care and/or service.