Optometric Assistant

Visionworks•Yorktown Heights, NY

13d•$18 - $27•Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Specialist/Optometric Assistant helps provide a positive patient experience by preparing patients for onsite and remote examinations, performing preliminary diagnostic tests, and explaining the process. The role serves as a liaison between patients and Optometrists and supports the initial stages of the patient journey. The position includes patient registration and recordkeeping, assisting doctors with examinations, and supporting remote exams through testing and video conferencing. It also involves insurance preauthorization, appointment scheduling, patient flow coordination, answering clinical questions, triaging ocular emergencies, and supporting contact lens education and ordering. The associate maintains clinical equipment and supplies, completes required training and certifications, and may travel between store locations to meet business needs. This is a part-time role based inside a store location. The work involves computer and tablet use, pre-testing instruments, frequent standing and use of hands, and lifting or moving up to 20 pounds. Associates must protect confidential patient and customer information and comply with HIPAA and company security requirements.

Requirements

One year of related experience.
High school diploma, GED, or equivalent related job experience.
Medical office or business professionalism.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with patients and associates.
Strong customer service and patient advocacy skills, including empathy.
Ability to coordinate and collaborate with patients and team members.
Attention to detail and organization.
Ability to work under stress with interruptions and deadlines, multitask, and solve problems.
Ability to read English and interpret insurance forms.
Ability to follow procedures and instructions.
Ability to operate electronic software platforms and enter data efficiently and accurately.
Ability to work changing schedules and travel between stores as needed.
Ability to use computers, electronic tablets, and pre-testing instruments.
Ability to frequently lift or move up to 20 pounds.
Ability to perform the described physical demands, including frequent standing and use of hands and fingers.

Nice To Haves

Optical or healthcare background.

Responsibilities

Register patients and collect and enter medical history and ocular health information into the EMR.
Assist onsite doctors with patient care and eye examinations.
Explain preliminary testing to patients, administer tests, and accurately document results in the EMR.
Guide patients through remote eye exams, including pre-testing, specialty testing, video conferencing, and additional testing requested by remote doctors or technicians.
Transition patients to retail associates after examinations and communicate doctors’ recommendations.
Explain MVC plan benefits to patients.
Preauthorize insurance according to standard operating procedures.
Schedule appointments and manage exam books with retail associates, including contacting patients who miss or cancel appointments.
Maintain patient flow to support doctor effectiveness.
Answer patients’ clinical questions in person and by telephone, triage ocular emergencies, and schedule annual eye exams.
Maintain complete and accurate patient records according to company standards.
Instruct patients on contact lens insertion, removal, cleaning, care, and handling.
Place diagnostic contact lens orders for patients and stock, notify patients when lenses are available, maintain knowledge of lens brands and parameters, and pull trial lenses when requested by a doctor.
Maintain doctor equipment and clinical supplies, keep the environment clean and healthy, and cover equipment nightly.
Complete specialized training and required clinical certifications.
Work flexible schedules and travel to other locations as business demands require.
Comply with HIPAA requirements and company privacy and security guidelines.