Optical Consultant

About the Role

The Optical Consultant designs, measures, fits, and adapts lenses and frames for patients according to written optical prescription or specification. They assist patients with selecting frames, measure customers for eyeglasses, and coordinate frames with facial and eye measurements. The role involves preparing work orders for optical laboratories, verifying finished lens spectacles, and adjusting frames to fit clients.

Responsibilities

• Measure clients' bridge and eye size, temple length, vertex distance, pupillary distance, and optical centers of eyes using measuring devices.
• Verify that finished lenses are ground to specifications.
• Use a lensometer to validate patients' prescriptions in eyewear.
• Train individuals on proper contact lens insertion and removal practices.
• Accurately describe vision benefits to patients and navigate benefit options to provide high service levels.
• Prepare work orders and instructions for grinding lenses and fabricating eyeglasses.
• Assist clients in selecting frames according to style, color, and coordination with facial/eye measurements and prescriptions.
• Maintain records of customer prescriptions, work orders, and payments.
• Perform administrative duties such as tracking inventory, sales, submitting patient insurance information, and simple bookkeeping.
• Recommend specific lenses, coatings, and frames to suit client needs.
• Sell contact lenses, spectacles, sunglasses, and related eyewear goods.
• Heat, shape, or bend plastic or metal frames to adjust eyeglasses using pliers and hands.
• Instruct clients on how to wear and care for eyeglasses and contact lenses.
• Determine clients' current lens prescriptions using lensometers or analyzers when necessary.
• Repair damaged frames.
• Obtain a customer's previous record or verify prescriptions with examining optometrists or ophthalmologists.
• Arrange and maintain displays of optical merchandise.
• Understand backup protocols for processing patients during system outages.
• Work up patients for the Optometrist as needed.
• Maintain professional appearance and demeanor in accordance with company policies.
• Keep commitments and inform supervisors of work progress and issues.
• Obtain and review medical history and records from patients.
• Maintain strict compliance with state, federal, and other regulations (e.g., OSHA, WC, HIPAA, ADA, FEHA, DOL).
• Perform other duties as assigned by management.

Requirements

• At least 3 or more years of related work experience as an Optician/Optical Consultant, dispensing contact lenses and glasses.
• Valid Driver’s License.

Qualifications

• Associates or Bachelor’s Degree (desirable).
• Certified Dispensing Optician certification (a plus).

Skills

• Ability to use a lensometer.
• Superior customer service and sales skills.
• Results-oriented, energetic self-starter with realistic goal-setting and persistence.
• Customer service advocate with flexibility, adaptability, empathy, and ethical standards.
• Ability to respond to inquiries from customers, staff, vendors, or community members.
• Sound judgment and decision-making under pressure.
• Ability to interpret and apply policies and procedures.
• Professional and respectful communication.
• Detail-oriented, organized, process-focused, and proactive problem-solver.
• Independent judgment for timely and accurate decisions based on available information.
• Ability to multitask effectively in a fast-paced or ambiguous environment without compromising quality.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and projects with limited direction while contributing to clinic success.

Work Environment

This is primarily an office-based role with controlled temperature conditions and limited exposure to hazardous substances. The noise level is usually low to moderate. Travel to other offices may be required.

While performing duties, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, handle objects, reach with hands and arms, see, talk, and hear. The employee may occasionally lift and carry items weighing less than 20 pounds and perform tasks requiring stooping, kneeling, bending, or crouching. Finger dexterity is needed for computer and office equipment use.