Optometric Assistant I

SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC); Juneau (AK); On-site; USD 34,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Retirement benefits

Dental and vision benefits

Life insurance

Short/Long-term disability

Job summary

SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) is seeking an Optometry Assistant to support eye care services for all ages in a fast-paced clinic. You will gain technical experience in optical and imaging duties, document patient information promptly, and assist with inventory and billing tasks.

The role includes field-travel 3–6 weeks per year to accompany the optometrist, with a strong emphasis on customer service, detail, and confidentiality.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• BLS certification at hire or within 3 months.
• Clinical Competency required within 3 months of hire and every three years.
• One year of medical office experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Room and screen patients for the providers; perform optical and point-of-care lab testing.
• Assist with optical orders: verification, frame selection, measurements, order entry, payment collection, dispensing, and repairs.
• Manage inventory: ordering, cleaning, returns and frame placement; support invoices.
• Acquire ocular imaging and enter images into medical record for provider review.
• Assist with triage, scheduling, phones, patient questions, referrals, and supplies.

Skills

Customer service

Time management

Organization

Verbal and written communication

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Conflict resolution

Collaboration

Education

High School Diploma or GED

BLS certification

Clinical Competency within 3 months

One year medical office experience preferred

Job description

Pay Range:$25.00 - $30.04This position supports eye care services to patients of all ages. This position requires/develops skills as an optometry assistant including optical and imaging duties through on-the-job and self-training modules. Customer service, attention to detail, clear communication and timely documentation are essential for this position.

This is a career ladder position with four levels designed to provide progressively more technical and independent work experiences. Promotion between job levels is based on performance, skill acquisition, required certifications, and the demonstrated ability to successfully handle duties requiring progressively more responsibility.

SEARHC is a non-profit health consortium which serves the health interests of the residents of Southeast Alaska. We see our employees as our strongest assets. It is our priority to further their development and our organization by aiding in their professional advancement.

Working at SEARHC is more than a job, it’s a fulfilling career. We offer generous benefits, including retirement, paid time off, paid parental leave, health insurance, dental, and vision benefits, life insurance and long and short-term disability, and more.

Key Essential Functions and Accountabilities of the Job (as skills acquire)

Optometry Assistant

• Room and screen patients for the providers, perform optical and point of care lab testing.
• Accurately document in a timely manner.

Optical

• Assist patients with optical orders: optical benefits verification, frame selection, measurements, order entry, payment collection, order verification, dispensing (glasses and contacts) in-person or by mail, adjustments, repairs, and warranty replacements.
• Assist with inventory management: ordering, cleaning, returns and frame placement.
• Assist with approval and reconciliation of invoices for timely payment.

Imaging

• Acquires ocular imaging: photos, ocular coherence tomography, visual fields, topography.
• Enters images into medical record for provider review.

Administrative Support

• Assist with triage, tracking and scheduling of referred, recalled or diabetic patients.
• Assist with phones, directing/answering patient questions and paperwork.
• Work with Referral Care Coordinators, providers and/or clinics to facilitate patient referrals.
• Order and maintain office and medical supplies.

Other Functions

• Always maintain patient confidentiality.
• Work collaboratively to meet the needs of the patients and organizational goals.
• Other duties as assigned.

Additional Details:

Education, Certifications, and Licenses Required

• High School Diploma or GED
• BLS at hire or must obtain within 3 months of hire
• Clinical Competency required within 3 months of hireand every three years

Experience Required

• One year of medical office experience preferred.

Knowledge of

• Knowledge of medical and ophthalmic terminology.
• Knowledge and demonstrated use of customer service principles.
• Knowledge and demonstrated use of safety and infection control principles.

Skills in

• Customer service, time management and organization.
• Computer use with a high degree of accuracy and detail orientation.
• Verbal and written communication.

Ability to

• Ability to multi-task and work independently in fast paced environment.
• Ability to learn and maintain optometry assistant competencies.
• Ability to problem-solve and use conflict resolution skills to develop and maintain good working relations with other staff and departments.

Travel Required

• Required to accompany optometrist on field trips, 3-6 weeks per year.

Other Qualifications

• Fine detail manual dexterity with precision for eyeglass repairs.

Position Information:

Work Shift:OT 8/40

If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you’ll enjoy your career with us!