Optometry Lead

Camarena Health•Madera, CA

1d•$25 - $28

About The Position

The Optometry Lead provides welcoming, technically competent clinical assistance to patients and Camarena Health clinical providers, working closely with the Optometrist to support examinations, diagnostic testing, patient education, optical services, and patient flow. The role also supports patient intake, registration, scheduling, cashier functions, communication, and teamwork. The employee helps patients understand available services and financial assistance, keeps providers informed, and maintains organized examination rooms, equipment, supplies, and patient records while protecting confidential information. The position supports Camarena Health’s mission to provide health care access and support services to community members. It requires professionalism, punctuality, open communication, participation in meetings and in-services, and flexibility to work extended hours when necessary. Minimum qualifications include a high school diploma or GED, Medical Assistant certification or prior experience, and experience equivalent to two years in a health care setting or medical office procedures. The role requires bilingual English-Spanish skills and the ability to perform the listed physical tasks, including moving up to 20 pounds and pushing up to 50 pounds on wheels.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Certification as a Medical Assistant or prior experience.
Experience equivalent to two years in a health care setting or in medical office procedures.
Fully bilingual in English and Spanish, with excellent oral and written skills.
Intermediate computer skills, keyboarding at 20 words per minute, and software-management skills.
Good problem-solving skills; organized, systematic, prompt, detail-oriented, and able to follow through on tasks.
Telephone courtesy and customer-service orientation.
Proficiency with modern office practices and procedures, including email.
Ability to handle multiple tasks with perseverance and patience and build rapport with patients and providers from differing backgrounds.
Correct grammar and spelling; ability to use a 10-key calculator and diagnostic indexing (ICD-9 codes).
Ability to move up to 20 pounds and push up to 50 pounds on wheels.
Adequate hearing to auscultate blood pressure and hear staff and patients, and clear speech to communicate information.
Vision adequate to read syringe increments, memos, computer screens, personnel forms, and clinical and administrative documents.
High manual dexterity and ability to reach above shoulder level, bend, squat, sit, stand, stoop, crouch, reach, kneel, twist or turn, and perform fingering and feeling tasks.
Arrive on time, adhere to schedules, maintain confidentiality, and work flexible or extended hours when necessary.

Responsibilities

Greet patients, direct them to the appropriate exam room or registration window, explain clinic services and assistance programs, complete registration, and verify financial coverage.
Enter patient personal and financial information, assess income eligibility for sliding-fee adjustments, obtain registration signatures, correct registration errors, and distribute patient surveys.
Manage and maintain appointments according to service standards; coordinate with the Optometrist to maximize appointment availability, discuss rescheduling options, and provide backup telephone reception.
Perform cashier and collection duties, calculate fees, collect payments, maintain a cash box, and submit balanced daily ledgers and patient-flow counts to designated staff.
Prepare patients for vision examinations and assist with near and far acuity, depth perception, macula integrity, color perception, and visual-field testing using ocular testing equipment.
Under Optometrist supervision, perform simple non-invasive visual acuity, pupil, and ocular motility testing; automated visual-field testing; ophthalmic photography and digital imaging; tonometry; lensometry; and non-subjective refraction.
Administer non-controlled cycloplegiacs, mydriatics, and topical anesthetics for ophthalmic purposes as described, and perform pachymetry, keratometry, A scans, B scans, and electrodiagnostic testing as referred by the Optometrist.
Listen to and document patient complaints and relevant information in the electronic health record; inform patients about procedures and requirements, respond to concerns, and support their cooperation and involvement in care.
Prepare and set up patients and examination rooms, keep providers informed when patients are ready, discharge patients smoothly, address last-minute questions, and arrange return appointments as appropriate.
Protect patient information by securing computer screens and logging off or minimizing screens when leaving a workstation.
Instruct patients in the care and use of glasses or contact lenses based on Optometrist referrals; assist with frame selection, prescription and referral information, eyeglass and accessory sales, and frame or contact-lens orders.
Assist with minor frame adjustments and repairs, maintain inventory, and clean optical instruments.
Communicate effectively with the Optometrist, patients, clinicians, and team members; assist providers as needed, including chaperoning or translation, report delays and schedule changes, and relay patient and room status.
Use appropriate telephone and email practices, maintain rapport with outside doctor offices and facilities, and route formal complaints and grievances to the Back Support Supervisor or Department Head.
Participate reliably in teamwork, meetings, and health-center in-services; share information, support team workflow, demonstrate initiative and problem-solving, and treat others with respect and integrity.
Initiate equipment work requests and inform the Optometrist of safety concerns; comply with confidentiality rules and perform other duties as assigned.