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

Walmart • Chesterfield, MO

7d • $20 - $28 • Onsite

About The Position

The Optical Associate maintains merchandise presentation and the sales floor in the Optical area, including stocking, organizing, signing and pricing merchandise, managing claims and returns, and securing fragile or high-shrink items. The associate receives and stocks merchandise, maintains required documentation, and may handle hearing-aid inventory and sales as needed. The role also operates point-of-sale hardware and assists members with purchases, payments, returns, refunds, and exchanges.

The associate supports members with eyewear and contact lenses by explaining usage, care, and hygiene; assisting with purchasing decisions; measuring, adjusting, and repairing frames and lenses; processing eyewear and contact lens orders; and verifying prescription information. Duties include measuring pupillary distance and position of wear, inspecting completed eyewear, troubleshooting non-adaptation issues, monitoring trial lens inventory, maintaining and calibrating equipment, and coordinating with labs and optometrists. Under optometrist guidance, the associate may assist with appointments, pre-testing, and recording results, and may collect payments for doctor or telehealth services.

The role schedules and confirms member visits, maintains records in compliance with HIPAA and company procedures, and processes applicable insurance claims, payments, and chargebacks. The associate completes required training and certification or licensure, develops knowledge of eye anatomy and diagnostic testing, and maintains any required state registration or certification. The associate also contributes to team coordination, process improvement, ethical and policy compliance, and the company’s stated values of respect, integrity, customer service, and 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 the Manager to register and maintain an NPI number as required by state law.
• In states requiring licensure or registration, meet or be able to satisfy state requirements to become an apprentice optician and licensed optician.
• In states requiring licensure, 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 3 months of completing minimum state apprenticeship hours.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in a health care or retail setting.

Responsibilities

• Maintain merchandise presentation by stocking, setting up, cleaning, and organizing displays; remove damaged goods; sign and price merchandise; and secure fragile and high-shrink merchandise.
• Maintain the Optical sales floor according to company policies, including handling claims and returns, zoning, organizing merchandise, and identifying shrink and damage.
• Receive and stock Optical merchandise; maintain the 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 assist members with purchases, payments, returns, refunds, and exchanges.
• Educate members about 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, inspect eyewear before dispensing, verify compound prism where applicable, and troubleshoot non-adaptation issues.
• Communicate with labs and optometrists about job status, product updates, and reordering expired lenses.
• Process eyewear and contact lens orders, monitor trial lens inventory, and ensure optical equipment is clean and calibrated.
• Troubleshoot equipment failures and coordinate repairs.
• As needed and under the guidance of a contracted or associate optometrist, assist with patient appointments, perform pre-testing, and record results.
• Support optometrist services through the use of new and existing technology and collect payments for doctor or telehealth services.
• Schedule and confirm member appointments 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, payments, and chargebacks for doctor services and eye-care materials.
• Complete assigned virtual and hands-on training, including training required to acquire and maintain certification and licensure.
• Develop knowledge of eye anatomy and diagnostic testing and participate in internal development opportunities.
• Where required by state regulations, register with the state board for an apprenticeship or work permit within 60 days and maintain registration or certification without a lapse.
• 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 and implement processes and practices with managers, co-workers, customers, and business partners; analyze information, monitor results, and identify improvement opportunities.
• Demonstrate and support compliance with company policies, procedures, and ethics standards, and assist management with addressing ethical or compliance issues.
• Model the company’s stated values by supporting inclusion, teamwork, integrity, customer service, learning, and continuous improvement.

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 through 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