Optical Coordinator

South Boston Community Health; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid vacation

Sick time

Paid holidays

Retirement plan

EAP

Professional development

Job summary

South Boston Community Health Center (SBCHC) is seeking an Optical Coordinator to bridge patient access, insurance coordination, and optical services within our Eye Department. You will educate patients, verify coverage, order eyewear, manage inventory, and collaborate across clinical and administrative teams to ensure timely access to vision care.

The role balances direct patient interaction with administrative coordination, contributing to the department's financial and operational health

Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree required.
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong customer service and interpersonal communication skills.
• Some weekday evenings and occasional Saturday mornings may be required.
• Experience in a team-oriented healthcare environment is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist patients with selecting frames, lenses, and products meeting prescription and coverage.
• Obtain frame measurements and pupillary distance for proper fit.
• Process, order, track, dispense, and bill eyeglasses and contacts.
• Submit orders to optical labs and vendors and request prior authorizations when needed.
• Verify insurance eligibility and benefits prior to appointments; assist with registrations and referrals.

Skills

Insurance verification

Customer service

Inventory management

Healthcare administration

Multitasking

Education

Associate's degree

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Description

THE OPPORTUNITY

At South Boston Community Health Center (SBCHC), we believe that clear vision is essential to a person's health, independence, and quality of life. As an Optical Coordinator, you will play a vital role in ensuring patients receive the eyewear and vision support they need while helping create a seamless experience throughout their eye care journey.

This role exists to bridge patient access, insurance coordination, optical services, and operational support within our Eye Department. Through patient education, insurance verification, eyewear ordering, inventory management, and collaboration with clinical and administrative teams, you will help patients navigate the often-complex process of obtaining vision benefits and corrective eyewear.

As a key member of the Eye Care team, you will balance direct patient interaction with administrative coordination, ensuring that patients receive timely access to services while supporting the financial and operational health of the department.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys working with people, thrives in a detail-oriented environment, and is passionate about improving access to community-based healthcare.

WHO WE ARE

South Boston Community Health Center is a federally qualified community health center dedicated to providing high-quality, affordable healthcare to all members of our community, regardless of their ability to pay.

For decades, SBCHC has remained committed to improving health outcomes and reducing barriers to care throughout South Boston and neighboring communities. We strive to provide patient-centered care that is accessible, compassionate, and responsive to the needs of a diverse population.

Our Eye Care Department is committed to helping patients achieve optimal vision and eye health through comprehensive services, teamwork, and exceptional customer service. We take pride in creating an environment where patients feel welcomed, supported, and informed throughout every step of their care.

What makes our team unique is our collaborative approach. Administrative staff, providers, optical vendors, billing teams, and patient support staff work together to ensure patients receive high-quality care and access to the vision services they need.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

As an Optical Coordinator, you will serve as a patient advocate, insurance specialist, inventory coordinator, and optical resource while supporting the daily operations of the Eye Department.

Primary Responsibilities

• Assist patients with selecting frames, lenses, and optical products that meet their prescription and coverage requirements.
• Obtain frame measurements and pupillary distance measurements to ensure proper fit and optimal vision correction.
• Process, order, track, dispense, and bill for eyeglasses and contact lenses.
• Submit optical orders to designated optical laboratories and vendors.
• Request prior authorizations for eyewear and materials when required by patient insurance plans.
• Monitor material orders from order entry through patient pickup and dispensing.
• Perform basic eyewear adjustments and minor frame repairs.
• Maintain inventory of frames, contact lens trials, eyeglass cases, cleaning supplies, and related materials.
• Create and maintain frame pricing based on inventory costs and organizational guidelines.
• Conduct monthly inventory reviews and monitor expiration dates for contact lens trial supplies.
• Verify patient insurance eligibility, vision benefits, and coverage prior to appointments.
• Complete insurance pre-verification and confirm allowance availability and benefit levels.
• Ensure accurate insurance documentation within the electronic health record.
• Contact patients proactively regarding insurance coverage concerns or issues impacting services.
• Partner with registration, billing, and patient access staff to minimize claim denials and registration errors.
• Review insurance verification completed by Patient Support Associates and provide guidance as needed.
• Assist with patient registration and check-in processes when necessary.
• Coordinate referral information required for services and claims processing.
• Work with billing staff to resolve registration and claim-related issues.
• Support monthly and quarterly audits, reporting activities, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Assist with training and onboarding of Patient Support Associates as needed.
• Provide registration support to other departments when operational needs arise.

SUCCESS IN THIS ROLE LOOKS LIKE

• Ensuring patients receive their eyewear accurately and in a timely manner.
• Maintaining accurate insurance and registration information.
• Reducing insurance denials and claim rejections through proactive verification and documentation.
• Delivering exceptional customer service to patients and families.
• Maintaining organized inventory and optical materials.
• Building positive relationships with patients, providers, vendors, and colleagues.
• Supporting efficient workflows within the Eye Department.
• Helping patients understand their insurance coverage, benefits, and eyewear options.

WORK STYLE & STATUS

Employment Status

Full-Time

Work Location

On-Site at South Boston Community Health Center

Schedule

Work schedules may include:

• Weekday daytime hours
• Some weekday evening shifts
• Occasional Saturday morning coverage as needed

Additional Expectations

• Occasional flexibility may be required to meet patient and departmental needs.
• Participation in departmental meetings, audits, and training activities may be required.
• Weather-related operations follow SBCHC's established Snow Emergency Protocol.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Our Eye Department combines patient care, customer service, and operational coordination in a fast-paced environment. Team members work closely with providers, registration staff, billing teams, optical vendors, and patients to ensure the highest level of service and care.

Success in this role requires strong attention to detail, excellent communication skills, adaptability, and the ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities while maintaining a patient-centered approach.

Requirements

WHO YOU ARE

You are a detail-oriented professional who enjoys helping patients navigate healthcare systems and find solutions to complex insurance and service-related questions.

You are equally comfortable providing excellent customer service, managing administrative processes, and coordinating multiple responsibilities throughout the day. You understand that accuracy, professionalism, and empathy all contribute to a positive patient experience.

Successful Team Members Typically Are:

• Customer-focused and approachable
• Highly organized and detail-oriented
• Reliable and accountable
• Adaptable and flexible
• Strong communicators
• Problem-solvers
• Collaborative team players
• Patient and compassionate
• Comfortable learning new systems and processes
• Committed to accuracy and quality

You approach challenges with a positive attitude and understand the important role operational staff play in supporting patient care and organizational success.

WHAT YOU BRING

Required Qualifications

• Associate's degree or Bachelor's degree.
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong customer service and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work some weekday evenings and occasional Saturday mornings.
• Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented healthcare environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in an eye clinic, ophthalmology practice, optometry office, or optical dispensary.
• Knowledge of insurance verification and benefits coordination.
• Experience working with electronic health records.
• Experience working in a community health center or healthcare setting.
• Experience supporting patient registration or front-desk operations.

Valuable Transferable Skills

• Customer service excellence
• Insurance verification and coordination
• Inventory management
• Patient education
• Problem-solving
• Organization and prioritization
• Attention to detail
• Team collaboration
• Healthcare administration
• Communication and relationship building

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

At SBCHC, we believe transparency and a comprehensive benefits package are important components of supporting our employees and their families.

Eligible employees may receive:

• Competitive salary
• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid vacation time
• Sick time
• Paid holidays
• Retirement plan options
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Professional development opportunities
• Additional benefits in accordance with employment status and applicable union agreements

WHY JOIN SBCHC?

When you join South Boston Community Health Center, you become part of an organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of our community.

You'll have the opportunity to:

• Help patients access essential vision care and optical services.
• Become a trusted resource for patients navigating insurance benefits.
• Work alongside dedicated clinical and administrative professionals.
• Develop expertise in healthcare operations and patient access.
• Support health equity initiatives within an underserved community.
• Contribute to an organization whose mission extends beyond healthcare and into the broader well-being of the community.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

South Boston Community Health Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

SBCHC is dedicated to ensuring equal employment opportunities and creating an environment where all employees feel valued, respected, and supported. We encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply and are committed to providing reasonable accommodations throughout the hiring process and employment relationship.