Optometric Assistant I

SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium; Juneau (AK); On-site; USD 34,440 - 41,383; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement benefits

Paid time off

Paid parental leave

Health insurance

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Life insurance

Short/Long-term disability

Job summary

SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium is seeking an Optometry Assistant to support eye care services for patients of all ages. You will perform optical and imaging duties, verify benefits, assist with frame selection, and help with triage, scheduling, and administrative tasks.

The role requires strong customer service, attention to detail, and the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment. Travel with the optometrist 3–6 weeks per year may be required.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• BLS certification at hire or within 3 months.
• Clinical competency required within 3 months and every three years.
• One year of medical office experience preferred.
• Knowledge of medical and ophthalmic terminology.
• Knowledge of customer service principles.
• Knowledge of safety and infection control principles.
• Strong customer service, time management, and organizational skills.
• Proficient computer use with high accuracy and detail orientation.
• Strong verbal and written communication.
• Ability to multi-task and work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to learn and maintain optometry assistant competencies.
• Ability to solve problems and use conflict-resolution skills.
• Travel to accompany optometrist on field trips 3–6 weeks per year.

Responsibilities

• Room and screen patients for providers; perform optical and point-of-care lab testing.
• Assist with optical orders: benefits verification, frame selection, measurements, order entry, payment collection, dispensing, adjustments, repairs, and warranty replacements.
• Assist with inventory management: ordering, cleaning, returns and frame placement.
• Acquire ocular imaging (photos, OCT, visual fields, topography) and enter images into medical record.
• Provide administrative support: triage, scheduling, phones, patient questions and paperwork.
• Collaborate with Referral Care Coordinators, providers and clinics to facilitate patient referrals.
• Order and maintain office and medical supplies.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and work collaboratively to meet patient and organizational goals.

Skills

Customer service

Attention to detail

Clear communication

Timely documentation

Time management

Organization

Verbal communication

Written communication

Problem solving

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Pay Range:$25.00 - $30.04 This 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 AssistantRoom and screen patients for the providers, perform optical and point of care lab testing.Accurately document in a timely manner.OpticalAssist 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.ImagingAcquires ocular imaging: photos, ocular coherence tomography, visual fields, topography.Enters images into medical record for provider review.Administrative SupportAssist 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 FunctionsAlways 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 RequiredHigh School Diploma or GEDBLS at hire or must obtain within 3 months of hireClinical Competency required within 3 months of hire and every three yearsExperience RequiredOne year of medical office experience preferred.Knowledge ofKnowledge of medical and ophthalmic terminology.Knowledge and demonstrated use of customer service principles.Knowledge and demonstrated use of safety and infection control principles.Skills inCustomer service, time management and organization.Computer use with a high degree of accuracy and detail orientation.Verbal and written communication.Ability toAbility 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 RequiredRequired to accompany optometrist on field trips, 3-6 weeks per year.Other QualificationsFine detail manual dexterity with precision for eyeglass repairs.Position Information:Work Shift:OT 8/40If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!