Optometric Assistant Part Time

VisionWorks; Town of Riverhead (NY); On-site; USD 24,796 - 37,195; Part time

Job summary

VisionWorks in Town of Riverhead, NY is hiring a Clinical Specialist/Optometric Assistant to ensure an excellent patient experience. Responsibilities include preparing patients for exams, assisting doctors, and maintaining accurate patient records.

The ideal candidate has a high school diploma or equivalent, one year of related experience, and strong communication skills. This part-time role pays between $18 and $27 per hour based on experience.

Qualifications

• One year of related experience preferred.
• Optical or healthcare background is a plus.
• Medical office professionalism required.

Responsibilities

• Preparing patients for examinations and completing diagnostic tests.
• Assisting onsite doctors and explaining the process to patients.
• Maintaining patient records and ensuring smooth patient flow.

Skills

Detail oriented

Communication skills

Team player

Patient interaction

Education

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent

Job description

The Clinical Specialist/Optometric Assistant is primarily responsible for ensuring 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

Part Time

Pay Rate

$18 to $27 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 the results in EMR.
• For patients with remote appointments, assisting through the remote eye exam process: pre‑testing and specialty testing, initiating remote technician and doctor video conferencing, and assisting remote doctor and technician with 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.
• In partnership with retail associates, scheduling appointments and managing exam books; contacting no‑shows and cancellations.
• Maintaining patient flow to allow for 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 according to company standards.
• Instructing patients on proper contact lens care and handling; placing diagnostic contact lens orders and notifying patients when lenses are available for dispensing.
• Having 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 for patients by maintaining doctor equipment and clinical supplies and ensuring equipment is covered nightly.
• Participating in specialized training of all responsibilities and completing required clinical certification(s).
• 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 related job experience.
• Training provided.

Behavioral Characteristics

• Ability to initiate immediate interaction, coordination, and collaboration with patients and team members.
• Very detail oriented and well organized.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with associates and patients.
• Work under stress with interruptions and deadlines.
• Energetic and self‑motivated.
• Team player.
• Excelling problem‑solving ability.
• Ability to multi–task.
• Exhibit empathy in all interactions.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret insurance forms.
• Follow procedures and instructions.
• Operate and enter data into electronic software platforms efficiently and accurately.

Essential Physical Demands / Work Environment

• Work changing schedules to meet business demands, including travel between stores.
• Use computers, electronic tablets, and pre‑testing instruments effectively.
• Reach 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 is occasionally required to 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).

Physical Activity Requirements

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

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 that must be protected at all times. Associates must explicitly adhere to all data security guidelines established within the Company’s Privacy & Security Training Program.

Equal Opportunity Employer

VSP 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.

Additional Statements

The specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all‑inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria considered necessary to perform the job successfully. As required by changing business needs, additional essential responsibilities may be identified and assigned.

Union Position Compensation

Position provides competitive pay and benefits. Minimum pay rate of $18 per hour plus incentive. Starting pay may vary based on experience to a maximum of $27 per hour. Incentive pay, wage upgrades, and overtime opportunities also available.