Optician at University of Massachusetts Amherst in Amherst, Massachusetts

Job Description:

Job no: 525989

Work type: Staff Full Time

Location: UMass Amherst

Department: Eye Clinic

Union: PSU

Categories: Health & Medical Services, PSU A

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

Under the general direction of the Director of the Eye Care Services, provides direct patient care in the selection, dispensing, and fitting of eyewear. Responsible for making recommendations for the overall operation and administrative functions of Optical Services. With general supervision, functions independently within the scope of departmental and institutional policies and procedures.

Essential Functions

Provides direct patient care as a licensed advanced level practitioner, fabricates finished lens products from blank lens to the exact specification of the Optometrist or Ophthalmologist's prescriptions.

Directly responsible for all lens prescription verification.

Screens patient's vision at the time of dispensing eyeglasses to patient and provides on-going direct patient care with regard to adjustments.

Responsible for all manufacturers warrantees on frames, lenses and coatings.

Maintains the function of the optician area.

Interviews, assesses and recommends frame vendors and lens fabrication laboratories to the Director of the Eye Care Services. Places orders for frames and lenses.

Maintains appropriate inventory of supplies.

Helps integrate third party eyeglass plans into optician service.

Direct responsibility to maintain accurate records of patient's eyeglasses in progress, including meeting promised deadlines, goods ordered, jobs completed and returned.

Provides repair and adjustments of eyeglasses and maintains established standards of quality in accordance with the American National Standard for Ophthalmic ANSI Z80.1.

Provides statistics including lab productivity, breakage rates, turnaround time on orders.

Makes recommendations to the Director of the Eye Care Services regarding the Optical Service budget and supplies information necessary to set charges for ophthalmic goods and services. Facilitates departmental purchases.

Performs daily, weekly and monthly care and maintenance of equipment.

Other Functions

• Provides director with yearly quality assessments.


• Ensures compliance on all safety eyewear with national standards for impact protection.


• Supports and implements affirmative action and nondiscriminatory policy and procedures and contributes to departmental goals.


• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

Licensure as Optician in Massachusetts.

Three years' experience as licensed Optician.

Insurable by the Massachusetts Medical Professional Insurance Association or equivalent insurer.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Typical Office Environment.

Work Schedule

Monday through Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Salary Information

Level 25

PSU Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume, and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Advertised: Dec 19 2024 Eastern Standard Time

Applications close: Mar 21 2025 Eastern Daylight Time

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