Job Title:
Optician
Company: NorthShore Health Centers
Location: Portage, IN
Created: 2026-03-13
Job Type: Full Time
Job Description:
Optician The Optician conducts pre-tests for the Optometrist, and fills ophthalmic eyeglass and contact lens prescriptions and fits and adapts lenses and frames according to policy. Essential Functions: Evaluates prescription in conjunction with client's vocations and avocational visual requirements. Determines client's current lens prescription, when necessary, using lensometer or lens analyzer and client's eyeglasses. Recommends specific lenses, lens coating, and frames to suit client needs. Assists client in selecting frames according to style and color, coordinator frames with facial and eye measurements and optical prescription. Measures client's bridge and eye size, temple length, vertex distance, pupillary distance, and optical centers of eyes. Prepares work order and instructions for grinding lenses and fabricating eyeglasses. Verifies finished lenses are ground to specification, receives into system and calls patients to inform them that product is ready to be picked up. Instructs, dispenses, and adjusts products for clients. Instructs clients in adapting to, wearing, and caring for eyeglasses and contact lenses. Computes amount of sales and leads patient to Front Desk staff for payment collection. Helps to work up patients for the Doctor including All Pre-testing and Patient History data. Provides training for insertion & removal of contact lens. Helps in setting up referrals to outside Ophthalmologist offices for continuing care. Helps in closing open referrals to our department. Keeps track of Inventory of frames, Orders and Receives in replacement frames into inventory supply. Keeps up to date with all products prices and knowledge. Helps to maintain a clean and sterile environment for patient care, including cleaning of equipment and frame products. Answers patient concerns over the phone and responds in a timely manner. Helps to open and close department and completing nightly orders to be shipped to lab. Helps to order all contact lens and frame product supplies weekly. Prepares and works reports to completion, as needed, under direction of the Director of Optometry. Must maintain up to date knowledge of current Electronic Medical Records and Optical Management Software systems and associated equipment and websites. Other tasks as needed under the direction of the Director of Optometry. These essential functions are a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the position, and are not intended to be a comprehensive listing of all duties and responsibilities. The position will include other duties as assigned and duties are subject to change at management's discretion. Competencies: Planning and strategic foresight Responsible Decision Making Integrity and accountability Innovation and creativity Adaptive and flexible Leadership, teamwork, and conflict resolution Professionalism and work ethic Empathy Work Environment: Work is performed in an office environment. Involves frequent personal and telephone contact with patients, physicians, and other healthcare personnel. Work may be stressful at times. Interaction with others is constant and interruptive. Travel: Travel outside of Northshore locations will be rare for this position. Qualifications Role Qualifications: Must be at least 18 years of age Must have reliable transportation High school diploma or equivalent Preferred Experience Requirements: Two years of experience working within a healthcare setting. Minimum Education Requirements: Associate's degree in healthcare related studies; OR six months to one year of related experience/training Preferred Education Requirement: Bachelor's degree in healthcare related studies. Required Skills: Ability to analyze situations and solve problems at strategic and tactical levels Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply the appropriate sections of applicable laws, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, and policies Ability to acquire a thorough understanding of the organization's hierarchy, jobs, qualifications, compensation practices, and the administrative practices related to those factors Practiced at organization and planning Employ Critical thinking and problem solving Maintains composure and operates with emotional intelligence Ethical reasoning and decision-making Strong attention to detail Receptive and responsive to feedback Excellent verbal and written communication skills Time management, prioritization, and sense of urgency Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software Physical Requirements: While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to sit and/or stand for prolonged periods, work longer than eight (8) hour shifts, and to work both day/evening/weekend shifts. Work may include hand dexterity as well as the need to reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, talk, and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 lbs. While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee is required to talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions of the job.