Job Title: Optical Assistant

Department: Optometry

Reports To: Health Center Manager

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Wage Range That the Company Expects to Pay: $22.50 - $24.81 per hour

SUMMARY

Under the direct supervision of the Health Center Manager, the Optical Assistant will provide administrative support to Optometrists, assisting patients with their optical requirements. Responsibilities include scheduling routine examinations, verifying insurance coverage, educating patients on eyewear and contact lens care, facilitating eyewear purchases, and performing pre-testing as requested. The Optical Assistant must have excellent customer service to ensure a positive patient experience and have strong organizational and attention to detail skills.

It is the primary purpose of CHCCC to provide the highest quality of total care possible to the patient population it serves. Such a level of quality depends ultimately on the staff's desire and ability to work together, individually, and as a team. The employee is expected to be professional, punctual, maintain regular attendance, cooperative, motivated, and organized at all times.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Additional duties may be assigned with or without prior notice.

Greets patients and assists with checking in and out.

Answers phones and schedule appointments.

Verifies insurance coverage and update patient information into the electronic health record as necessary.

Verifying, scanning and entering patient data.

Handle medical billing and insurance claims for optical services.

Collects payments.

Conduct pre-testing of patients as needed (e.g. autorefractor, tonometer and visual fields).

Provides assistance and education to patients in proper contact lens wear and care, and processes orders as required.

Assist patients in selecting, fitting, and ordering eyeglasses.

Perform eyewear adjustments to ensure proper fit and comfort.

Perform basic eyewear repair such as replacing nose pads or eyeglass screws.

Educate patients on proper eyewear care and maintenance.

Maintains inventory of materials and places orders as necessary.

Maintains optical logs and ensure its up to date at all times.

May be required to cover other clinics.

Demonstrates professionalism when calling patients and provides quality customer service using AIDET Standards.

Demonstrates adherence to and observes all safety policies and procedures, inclusive of infection control rules and regulations.

Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served (infants, pediatrics, adolescents, adults or geriatrics).

Demonstrates knowledge of domestic violence, child and dependent abuse protocols.

Demonstrates cultural sensitivity and competence with patients.

Maintains and adheres to HIPAA, employee confidentiality, and privileged communications (patient, employee, and corporation).

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

High school diploma or GED required. Minimum of one year experience in a medical or optometric setting is preferred, or equivalent experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquires or complaints. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of patients or employees of organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply sound judgment in understanding to carry out instructions in written or oral form. Ability to make appropriate job decisions following standard office policies and past precedents.

COMPUTER SKILLS

Experience with word processing, spreadsheets, email, and keyboarding required. Microsoft Office and Google Suite skills required. Working knowledge of EHR required.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Possession of a current, valid, unrestricted California Driver's License (Class C) is required. A current CPR (BLS-C) card is required. Must obtain a valid CPR card within the first 30 days of employment if not certified at the time of hire. CHC’s CPR Policy will supersede this job description.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Required to pass a criminal history background check and drug screen upon hire. Annual health examination; annual Tuberculosis skin test clearance or chest x-ray; proof of immunity to MMR, Varicella, and Hepatitis B; proof of Tdap vaccine; during current flu season, must provide proof of influenza vaccine or a signed declination form. If declined, a flu mask is mandatory during flu season. Health screening requirements are subject to change based on CDC recommendations and federal, state, and/or local public health ordinances.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee occasionally is required to sit. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee must be able to use appropriate body mechanics techniques when making necessary patient transfers and helping patients with walking, dressing, etc. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds of supplies. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is moderate (i.e. clinic setting with computers, phones, and printers). Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment.

Must be willing to have a flexible work schedule that may include evenings/weekends, and travel as needed.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified.