Optical Associate, Non-Certified – Sam’s Club

Walmart • Odessa, TX

1d • $20 - $28 • Onsite

About The Position

The Optical Associate supports merchandise presentation and sales floor operations in the Optical area, including receiving, stocking, organizing, pricing, and securing merchandise; managing claims and returns; and maintaining required documentation. The associate operates point-of-sale equipment and processes member purchases, payments, returns, refunds, and exchanges. As needed, the associate also maintains hearing aid inventory and processes related sales and refunds.

The role supports members with eyewear and contact lenses by explaining usage and care, assisting with contact lens insertion and removal, helping with purchasing decisions, and completing orders. Duties include identifying and verifying prescription information; measuring pupillary distance and position of wear using manual and digital systems; adjusting and repairing frames; inspecting finished eyewear; troubleshooting non-adapt issues; monitoring trial lens inventory; and maintaining optical equipment. The associate communicates with laboratories and optometrists about order status and product updates, and coordinates equipment repairs when needed. Under guidance of a contracted or associate optometrist, the associate may perform pre-testing and record results, support OD services, and collect payments for doctor or telehealth services.

The associate schedules and confirms appointments; maintains records in compliance with HIPAA and company procedures; and processes applicable insurance claims, payments, and chargebacks for doctor services and eye-care materials. The role requires completing virtual and hands-on training, developing intermediate knowledge of eye anatomy and diagnostic testing, and obtaining and maintaining required registrations, certifications, and licenses. Where applicable under state regulations, registration with the state board for apprenticeship or a work permit is required within 60 days.

The associate leads and participates in teams, coordinates work assignments, supports coworkers, and helps meet timelines and quality expectations. The role also involves developing and improving processes in collaboration with managers, coworkers, customers, and business partners, and promoting compliance with company policies, procedures, and ethical standards. Associates are expected to demonstrate Walmart's values by respecting individuals, acting with integrity, serving customers and members, and striving for excellence.

Requirements

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent upon job entry or within 12 months of hire to be eligible to sit for the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) exam.
• Meet applicable requirements to work as an Optical associate, including minimum age, qualifications, registration, certification, and/or licensure when required by the Optical organization or state boards.
• Obtain American Board of Opticianry (ABO) certification within 15 months of hire or job entry.
• Be willing and able to work with a manager to register and maintain an NPI number as required by state law.
• In licensed/registered states, meet or be able to satisfy state requirements to become an apprentice optician and licensed optician.
• In licensed/registered states, 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 requirements and obtain licensure within three months of completing minimum state apprenticeship hours.
• Maintain records in compliance with HIPAA and company procedures.
• Complete required training and maintain applicable certifications, registrations, and licenses.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in a health care or retail setting.

Responsibilities

• Stock, set up, clean, and organize merchandise displays; remove damaged goods; apply signage and pricing; and secure fragile and high-shrink merchandise.
• Maintain the Optical sales floor by handling claims and returns, zoning and organizing merchandise, and identifying shrink and damages.
• Receive and stock Optical merchandise, maintain the Optical area, use equipment appropriately, and complete required paperwork, logs, and documentation.
• As needed, receive, audit, and maintain hearing aid inventory and process sales and refunds through the POS system.
• Operate registers and related hardware and process member purchases, payments, returns, refunds, and exchanges using appropriate procedures.
• Educate members about eyewear use and care and support contact lens insertion, removal, and hygiene guidance.
• Assist members with Optical purchasing decisions; measure, adjust, and repair frames and lenses; complete eyewear and contact lens orders; and identify and verify prescription information.
• Measure pupillary distance and position of wear for different lens types using manual and digital systems.
• Perform frame adjustments and repairs and conduct final eyewear inspections, including compound prism verification.
• Troubleshoot member non-adapt issues and communicate with laboratories and optometrists about job status, product updates, and expired-lens reordering.
• 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 needed and under the guidance of a contracted or associate optometrist, complete patient appointments, perform pre-testing, and record results.
• Support OD services and collect payments for doctor and 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.
• Request, review, and process applicable insurance claims and payments for doctor services, and insurance claims, payments, and chargebacks for eye-care materials.
• Complete assigned virtual and hands-on training, including training needed for required certification and licensure; develop knowledge of eye anatomy and diagnostic testing; and participate in internal development opportunities.
• Where applicable under state regulations, register with the state board for apprenticeship or a permit to work within 60 days and maintain registration or certification without lapse.
• Lead and participate in teams by sharing resources and information, determining customer needs and business priorities, coordinating assignments, supporting coworkers, and helping others adapt to change.
• Develop, communicate, and implement processes and practices by collaborating with stakeholders, applying information from multiple sources, monitoring progress, and addressing improvement opportunities.
• Promote and support compliance with company policies, procedures, and standards of ethics and integrity; guide others in applying them and assist management with ethical and compliance issues.
• Demonstrate the company values of 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 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 benefit, including tuition, books, and fees for eligible programs ranging from high school completion to bachelor's degrees, English Language Learning, and short-form certificates.

What This Job Offers

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