Optometric Assistant

Visionworks; Leominster (MA); On-site; USD 24,452 - 36,685; Part time

Job summary

Visionworks is seeking a part‑time Clinical Specialist/Optometric Assistant to ensure an excellent patient experience. You will prepare patients for onsite or remote examinations, perform pre‑exam testing, and explain each step of the process while liaising between patients and optometrists.

Responsibilities include assisting with eye exams, documenting results in EMR, and coordinating with retail staff to manage appointments. Training is provided and travel to other locations may be required.

Qualifications

• One year of related experience.
• Optical or healthcare background preferred.
• Medical office professionalism required.
• High‑school diploma, GED, or equivalent job experience.
• Training provided.

Responsibilities

• Complete patient registration and collect pertinent patient information for EMR.
• Assist onsite doctors with patient care and eye examinations and document results in EMR.
• Support remote appointments, including pre‑testing and testing documentation.
• Transition patients to retail staff after exams and convey recommendations.
• Understand MVC plans and communicate plan benefits to patients.
• Preauthorize insurance per SOPs and coordinate with store teams to schedule exams.
• Maintain patient flow and accurate records; answer clinical questions and triage emergencies.
• Instruct patients on contact lens use and manage lens orders and stock.

Skills

One year of experience

Education

High school diploma/GED

Job description

Summary

The Clinical Specialist/Optometric Assistant primarily ensures a great patient experience by preparing patients for onsite and/or remote examinations, completing pre‑exam diagnostic tests, and explaining each step of the process. The Clinical Specialist acts as a liaison between patients and optometrists and participates in the initial steps of a patient journey.

Pay Class & Rate

Part Time, 0–19 hours per week

$17.75 – $26.63 per hour

Responsibilities

• Completing patient registration, gathering and submitting pertinent patient information—including medical history and ocular health data—into EMR.
• Assisting onsite doctors with patient care and eye examinations; clearly explaining the preliminary testing process to patients, administering each preliminary test, and accurately documenting results in EMR.
• Facilitating remote appointments by assisting patients through the remote eye exam process, including:
  
  • Performing pre‑testing and specialty testing and accurately documenting results in EMR.
  • Initiating remote technician and remote doctor video conferencing.
  • Assisting remote doctor and remote technician to complete additional testing required for a remote exam.
• After exam completion, transitioning the patient to a retail associate and conveying the doctor’s recommendations.
• Having a strong understanding of MVC plans and articulating plan benefits to patients.
• Preauthorizing insurance in accordance with standard operating procedures.
• Coordinating with retail associates to schedule appointments and manage exam books, including contacting no‑shows and cancellations.
• Maintaining patient flow to maximize doctor effectiveness.
• Answering patients’ clinical questions in person and over the telephone; triaging ocular emergencies and scheduling annual eye exams.
• Maintaining complete and accurate patient records in accordance with Company standards.
• Instructing patients on insertion, removal, cleaning, care, and proper handling of their contact lenses.
• Placing diagnostic contact lens orders for patients and stock; notifying patients when contact lenses are available for dispensing.
• Possessing a working knowledge of contact lens brands and parameters; accurately pulling contact lens trials when requested by the doctor.
• Ensuring a clean and healthy environment by maintaining doctor equipment and clinical supplies, and ensuring equipment is covered nightly.
• Participating in specialized training and completing required clinical certifications.
• Working flexible schedules, including travel to other locations, to meet changing business demands.

Education & Experience

• One (1) year of related experience.
• Optical or healthcare background preferred.
• Medical office/business professionalism required.
• High‑school diploma, GED, or equivalent job experience.
• Training provided.

Behavioral Characteristics

• Initiating immediate interaction, coordination, and collaboration with patients and team members.
• Being detail‑oriented and well‑organized.
• Communicating clearly and effectively with associates and patients.
• Working under stress with interruptions and deadlines.
• Being energetic and self‑motivated.
• Being a team player.
• Possessing strong problem‑solving abilities.
• Managing multitasking demands.
• Exhibiting empathy in all interactions.
• Reading, analyzing, and interpreting insurance forms.
• Following procedures and instructions.
• Entering data into electronic software platforms efficiently and accurately.

Physical Demands / Work Environment

• Travel between stores as necessary.
• Using computers, electronic tablets, and pre‑testing instruments.
• Reaching above shoulder continuously.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the associate is required to sit, stand, use hands and fingers to handle, feel, pick or pinch, and talk or hear most of the time. The associate must occasionally stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The associate must frequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. The noise level in this location is moderate (use of computers, printers, and machines).

Activity / Time Allocation

• Walk – Mandatory
• Sit – Mandatory
• Use hands to finger, handle, or feel – Mandatory
• Reach with hands and arms – Mandatory
• Climb or balance – Mandatory
• Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl – Mandatory
• Talk or hear – Mandatory
• Close vision (clear vision at 20" or less) – Mandatory

HIPAA & Security Requirements

All associates must comply with the Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) as it pertains to disclosures of protected health information (PHI) as described in the Notice of Privacy Practices and HIPAA Privacy Policies and Procedures. Associates may have access to covered information, cardholder data, or other confidential customer information which must be protected at all times. Must explicitly adhere to all data security guidelines established within the Company’s Privacy & Security Training Program.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Visionworks is an equal‑opportunity employer, committed to the hiring, advancement, and fair treatment of individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, ethnicity, disability or veteran status, or any other protected status designated by federal, state, or local law.

Union Position Compensation

The specific terms are set forth in the Company’s collective bargaining agreement with a minimum pay rate of $17.75 per hour plus incentive. Starting pay may vary by experience up to $26.63 per hour. Incentive pay, wage upgrades, and overtime opportunities are also available.