Optometric Assistant

Henry Ford Health; Taylor (MI); On-site; USD 31,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Henry Ford Health is seeking an Optometric Assistant to join our clinical team. You will assist doctors with comprehensive vision exams, perform preliminary testing, and provide patient education to support high-quality eye care.

This role blends technical tasks with compassionate, patient-centered service in a retail-optical setting. The ideal candidate has a high school diploma or GED and prior experience in customer service or optometric tech roles.

Qualifications

• Requires high school diploma or GED.
• Previous computer experience and basic math skills preferred.
• Previous customer service or optometric tech experience preferred.
• Computer and/or electronic medical records knowledge preferred.
• Retail and/or hospitality and/or customer service experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct preliminary testing including auto refractometry and intraocular pressure measurement.
• Document patient chief complaints, histories, and prescriptions in electronic medical records.
• Coordinate with eyewear consultants and staff to ensure seamless patient flow.
• Educate patients on contact lens care, handling, and wearing schedules.
• Interpret prescriptions and recommend suitable products for patients.
• Manage appointment scheduling to meet time allocations for tests and documentation.
• Address patient questions with empathy and escalate complex issues when needed.

Skills

Customer service

Optometric tech experience

Computer skills

Math skills

EMR knowledge

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Company Description

At Henry Ford Health, we're committed to advancing health and improving lives for the millions of people we serve across Michigan and around the world. As one of the nation's leading academic health systems, we provide a comprehensive continuum of care that includes primary and preventive services, specialty and complex care, virtual care, pharmacy, home health, eye care, health insurance, and more. With 12 hospitals and hundreds of ambulatory care locations, including former Ascension Southeast Michigan and Flint Region facilities, our growing network expands access to exceptional care in the communities we serve. Headquartered in Detroit, Henry Ford Health is helping shape the future of healthcare through the transformative Future of Health: Detroit initiative, a $3 billion investment that is redefining our academic healthcare campus and advancing innovation, research, education, and community impact. Our work is grounded in purpose, collaboration, and belonging. We empower team members to grow their careers, contribute innovative ideas, and make a meaningful difference every day. Whether you're caring for patients, supporting operations, conducting research, or driving new solutions, you'll be part of a team united by a shared mission: delivering exceptional care, advancing health outcomes, and building healthier communities for all.

Company Description

At Henry Ford Health, we're committed to advancing health and improving lives for the millions of people we serve across Michigan and around the world. As one of the nation's leading academic health systems, we provide a comprehensive continuum of care that includes primary and preventive services, specialty and complex care, virtual care, pharmacy, home health, eye care, health insurance, and more. With 12 hospitals and hundreds of ambulatory care locations, including former Ascension Southeast Michigan and Flint Region facilities, our growing network expands access to exceptional care in the communities we serve. Headquartered in Detroit, Henry Ford Health is helping shape the future of healthcare through the transformative Future of Health: Detroit initiative, a $3 billion investment that is redefining our academic healthcare campus and advancing innovation, research, education, and community impact. Our work is grounded in purpose, collaboration, and belonging. We empower team members to grow their careers, contribute innovative ideas, and make a meaningful difference every day. Whether you're caring for patients, supporting operations, conducting research, or driving new solutions, you'll be part of a team united by a shared mission: delivering exceptional care, advancing health outcomes, and building healthier communities for all.

Job Description

GENERAL SUMMARY

Join our clinical team and make a meaningful difference in patients' vision and eye health. As an Optometric Assistant, you'll work alongside our doctors to deliver comprehensive visual and medical exams, perform advanced preliminary testing, and provide exceptional patient education. This role combines technical expertise with genuine patient care, offering you the opportunity to develop specialized optometric skills while directly impacting patient outcomes.

Principal Dutues And Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive preliminary testing including auto refraction, intraocular pressure measurement, visual acuity assessment, motility testing, pupil evaluation, confrontation fields, anterior chamber angle assessment, and dilation-building a strong foundation for accurate clinical diagnoses.
• Create detailed electronic medical records by documenting patient chief complaints, medical and medication histories, social history, and current eyewear and contact lens prescriptions with precision and attention to detail.
• Guide patients through their exam experience with professionalism and care, seamlessly coordinating with eyewear consultants, dispensers, and customer service teams to ensure continuity of care.
• Educate patients on contact lens selection, proper handling techniques, wearing schedules, and care protocols-empowering them to make informed decisions about their eye health.
• Interpret prescriptions and recommend products and enhancements that address individual patient needs, demonstrating your growing clinical knowledge.
• Manage appointment scheduling efficiently, consistently meeting time allocations for preliminary testing and documentation to maintain smooth clinic operations.
• Address patient questions and concerns with empathy and professionalism, escalating complex issues to appropriate team members when needed.
• Complete all departmental training programs and continuing education requirements to stay current with best practices and expand your optometric expertise.

Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Requires high school diploma or GED
• Previous computer experience and basic math skills preferred
• Previous customer service or optometric tech experience preferred.
• Computer and/or electronic medical records knowledge preferred.
• Retail and/or hospitality and/or customer service experience preferred.
• Must be able to walk, bend and stand for extended periods of time Completion of all required training courses as directed by Henry Ford Optimeyes
• Must meet or exceed core customer service responsibilities, standards and behaviors as outlined in the HFHS' Customer Service Policy
• Must practice the customer skills as provided through on-going training and in-services.

Additional Information

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Works in a retail optical environment.
• Requires evening and weekend hours.