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

Walmart • Evans, GA

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The Optical Associate supports merchandise presentation and sales floor operations in the Optical area, including stocking, organizing, pricing, and securing merchandise; handling claims and returns; and maintaining required paperwork and inventory. The associate operates point-of-sale equipment and assists members with purchases, payments, returns, refunds, and exchanges. As needed, the role also includes receiving and maintaining hearing aid inventory and processing related sales and refunds.

The associate sells optical products and services by helping members make purchasing decisions, identifying and verifying prescription information, measuring pupillary distance and position of wear, completing eyewear and contact lens orders, and adjusting or repairing frames and lenses. Responsibilities include inspecting finished eyewear, troubleshooting non-adapt issues, monitoring trial lens inventory, maintaining and calibrating equipment, and communicating with laboratories and optometrists about order status, product updates, and expired-lens reorders. The associate also provides eyewear care guidance and supports contact lens insertion, removal, and hygiene instruction.

When needed and under the guidance of a contracted or associate optometrist, the associate may support patient appointments by performing pre-testing and recording results. The role supports OD services and technology, collects payments for doctor or telehealth services, schedules and confirms member appointments, maintains records in accordance with HIPAA and company procedures, and processes applicable insurance claims and payments. The associate completes required training and develops knowledge of eye anatomy and diagnostic testing while maintaining applicable registration, certification, and licensure.

The role also involves teamwork, supporting and mentoring coworkers, coordinating work, communicating business needs, identifying improvement opportunities, and helping ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and ethical standards. Associates are expected to respect individuals, act with integrity, serve members, and strive 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 requirements to work as an Optical associate, including any applicable minimum-age, qualification, registration, certification, or licensure requirements established 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 when 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 the state's minimum apprenticeship hours.
• Complete required applicable certification, registration, and licensure requirements and maintain them without lapse.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in a health care or retail setting.

Responsibilities

• Maintain merchandise presentation by stocking, setting up, cleaning, and organizing displays; removing damaged goods; pricing and signing merchandise; and securing fragile or 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 area, use equipment appropriately, and complete required paperwork, logs, and documentation.
• As needed, receive, audit, and maintain hearing aid inventory and process hearing aid sales and refunds through the POS system.
• Operate registers and related hardware and assist members with purchases, payments, returns, refunds, and exchanges according to applicable procedures.
• Educate members on eyewear usage 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 and product updates.
• Process eyewear and contact lens orders, monitor trial lens inventory, and maintain the calibration and cleanliness of optical equipment.
• 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 use new and existing technology.
• Collect payments for doctor and telehealth services; schedule and confirm appointments; and process member visits according to company policies 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 virtual and hands-on training, including training needed to acquire and maintain applicable certifications and licenses.
• Develop intermediate knowledge of eye anatomy and diagnostic testing and participate in internal development opportunities.
• Where applicable under state regulations, register with the state board for an apprenticeship or permit within 60 days and prevent lapses in registration or certification.
• Lead and participate in teams by sharing resources and information, determining customer needs and business priorities, coordinating assignments, and supporting work quality and timelines.
• Collaborate with managers, coworkers, customers, and business partners to develop and implement processes, monitor results, and identify improvement opportunities.
• Promote and support compliance with company policies, procedures, ethics, and integrity standards, and assist management in addressing compliance issues.
• Build trusting relationships, communicate positively, support and develop coworkers, and model respect, integrity, customer service, 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 and/or paid protected time off that may be used for vacation, sick leave, holidays, or other purposes; parental leave, family care leave, bereavement leave, jury duty leave, and voting leave.
• Short-term and long-term disability.
• Company discounts.
• Military Leave Pay.
• Adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement.
• Company-paid Live Better U education program for eligible full-time and part-time associates, covering tuition, books, and fees for eligible 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