(USA) Optical Associate, Certified (ABO) – Sam’s Club

Walmart • Rock Hill, SC

5d • $32 - $40 • Onsite

About The Position

The Optical Associate, Certified (ABO) supports members with eyewear and contact lens products and services, including assisting with purchase decisions, verifying prescription information, measuring pupillary distance and position of wear, adjusting and repairing frames, completing orders, and inspecting eyewear before dispensing. The role provides guidance on eyewear use and care and supports contact lens insertion, removal, and hygiene. It also troubleshoots non-adapt issues and coordinates with optical labs and optometrists about job status, product updates, and expired lens reorders.

The associate maintains the Optical area and merchandise presentation, receives and stocks products, handles claims and returns, processes purchases and payments, and maintains equipment, inventory, logs, and documentation. Where applicable, duties may include receiving and auditing hearing aid inventory, supporting optometrist services, scheduling appointments, performing pre-testing, recording results, collecting payments, and processing insurance claims and payments. The role maintains records in accordance with HIPAA and company procedures and follows applicable laws and company policies.

The position requires active American Board of Opticianry (ABO) certification and continuing education to maintain it. In states with applicable licensure requirements, the associate must meet apprenticeship requirements and obtain state-required optician licensure within the specified timeframes. The associate completes assigned training and participates in development opportunities to build technical and service capabilities. The role also contributes to team coordination, process improvement, ethical and policy compliance, and a respectful, inclusive workplace.

Requirements

• Active American Board of Opticianry (ABO) certification.
• Meet continuing education requirements to maintain ABO certification.
• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• In states with applicable licensing requirements, meet state law requirements to become an apprentice optician and licensed optician.
• Obtain state-required optician licensure within 18 months of hire or job entry for full-time associates, unless state requirements mandate additional training hours.
• Complete applicable state licensure requirements and obtain optician licensure within 3 months of completing the state-required minimum apprenticeship hours.
• As required by state regulations, work with the Manager to register and maintain an NPI number.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with insurance processing and electronic health records.
• Experience in health care, optical services, or retail operations.

Responsibilities

• Maintain merchandise presentation by stocking, setting up, cleaning, and organizing displays; removing damaged goods; signing and pricing merchandise; and securing fragile and high-shrink merchandise.
• Maintain the Optical sales floor in accordance with company policies, including handling claims and returns, zoning, organizing merchandise, and identifying shrink and damage.
• Receive and stock Optical merchandise; maintain the area, equipment, inventory, paperwork, logs, and required documentation.
• Where applicable, receive, audit, and maintain hearing aid inventory and process sales and refunds through the POS system.
• Operate registers and related hardware, process member purchases, and assist with payments, returns, refunds, and exchanges.
• Educate members on eyewear use and care and support contact lens insertion, removal, and hygiene guidance.
• Sell Optical products and services by assisting members with purchasing decisions, measuring, adjusting, and repairing frames and lenses, completing orders, and identifying and verifying prescription information.
• Measure pupillary distance and position of wear for different lens types using manual and digital systems.
• Perform frame adjustments and repairs and complete final eyewear inspections, including compound prism verification.
• Troubleshoot member non-adapt issues and communicate with labs and optometrists about job status, product updates, and expired lens reorders.
• Process eyewear and contact lens orders, monitor trial lens inventory, and ensure optical equipment is calibrated and clean.
• Troubleshoot equipment failures and coordinate repairs.
• As applicable and under an optometrist’s guidance, schedule patient appointments, perform pre-testing, record results, support OD services, and collect payments for doctor or telehealth services.
• Schedule and confirm member visits in accordance with company policies, procedures, and applicable laws.
• Maintain and file records in compliance with HIPAA and company procedures.
• Where applicable, request, review, and process insurance claims and payments for doctor services and eye care materials, including chargebacks.
• Complete assigned virtual and hands-on training, including training needed to acquire and maintain certification and licensure.
• Develop intermediate knowledge of eye anatomy and diagnostic testing; participate in development opportunities; and meet applicable apprenticeship and state board requirements.
• Where required by state regulations, register with the state board for an apprenticeship or work permit within 60 days and maintain registration and certification without lapse.
• Maintain NPI registration where applicable; as required by state regulations, work with the Manager to register and maintain an NPI number.
• Lead and participate in teams by sharing resources and information, determining customer needs and business priorities, coordinating assignments, supporting work quality and timelines, and helping others adapt to change.
• Develop, communicate, and implement processes and practices by collaborating with relevant partners, applying information from multiple sources, monitoring results, and identifying improvement opportunities.
• Promote compliance with company policies, procedures, and ethics standards; guide others on applying them, implement action plans, use the Open Door Policy, and assist management with ethical or compliance issues.
• Demonstrate the company’s values by respecting individuals, acting with integrity, serving customers and members, and striving for excellence.

Benefits

• Competitive pay and performance-based bonus awards.
• Medical, vision, and dental coverage.
• 401(k), stock purchase, and company-paid life insurance.
• Paid time off, parental leave, family care leave, bereavement leave, jury duty leave, and voting leave; PTO and/or PPTO may also be used for vacation, sick leave, holidays, or other purposes.
• Short-term and long-term disability.
• Company discounts.
• Military Leave Pay.
• Adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement.
• Live Better U company-paid education program for eligible full-time and part-time associates, covering tuition, books, and fees for programs from high school completion to bachelor's degrees, English Language Learning, and short-form certificates.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED