The Optometry Assistant supports the Optometrist by managing patient flow and performing clinical duties such as obtaining vital signs and updating health records. They are also responsible for conducting vision tests, maintaining sterilization equipment, and assisting patients with eyewear selection and adjustments.
Requirements summary
Candidates must have a high school diploma or GED and a minimum of two years of experience in Optometry or Ophthalmology. Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools and strong communication skills are required for this role.
high schoolprofessional certificateElectronic Health RecordsPatient Flow ManagementMedical History ReviewClinical DocumentationMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft WordMicrosoft PowerPointPatient SchedulingFrame SelectionVision TestingVital Signs CollectionMedical Equipment Sterilization
Job description
Primary Accountability
The Optometry Assistant – Back Office is responsible for supporting the Optometrist with both clinical and administrative duties throughout the optometry patient visit.
Description of Primary Responsibilities
1.
Supports and monitors patient flow in the back office.
1.
Scrubs appointments in advance to ensure necessary information is available for patient visit.
2.
Assists in the distribution of patients, including walk-ins.
3.
Keeps patients informed of wait times and ensures patients are properly flowed in system.
4.
Schedules patient appointments.
5.
Follows-up on “no-show” appointments and ensures messages and requests are responded to accordingly.
6.
Understands general front office workflows and is able to step in to support the front office when needed.
2.
Performs various aspects of patient visit.
1.
Reviews health records with the patient and updates clinical information such as current medication, medical, and surgical histories.
2.
Obtains vital signs and patient data.
3.
Initiates the follow-up of specialty care referrals and services per policy.
4.
Supports dispensary related functions, including requests for prescription refills, logging of medications, and pharmacy/patient phone calls.
5.
Completes necessary clinical forms required for patient visit such as patient assistance programs and Staying Healthy Assessment forms.
6.
Maintains continuous communication within the patient care team.
3.
Performs important medical tests on patients.
1.
Prepares patient for vision examination.
2.
Assists in testing for near and far acuity, depth perception, macula integrity, color perception, and visual field.
4.
Scans relevant documents into the electronic health record system.
5.
Performs documentation in the patient’s electronic health record according to policy and training.
6.
Prepares and stocks exam rooms/lab and monitors inventory for adequate supply.
7.
Conducts weekly testing and weekly/monthly cleaning of sterilization equipment and the sterilization of medical equipment.
8.
Instructs patients in care and use of glasses or contact lenses.
9.
Assists patients in frame selection, adjusts and repairs glasses, and modifies contact lenses.
10.
Responsible for adhering to the Attendance and Absenteeism Policy, recognizing that regular attendance is considered an essential function of all FHCN positions.
Absenteeism is not being at work or failing to attend a paid workshop, training, or event unless the absence is protected by law.
11.
Ability to present to and work at any FHCN location, both at the beginning of a shift or during a shift, based on business need.
12.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Description of Primary Attributes
Professional & Technical Knowledge
Effective June 1, 2026, all individuals hired into the role must
1.
Possesses work-related skills at a higher level than completion of high school, including formal written and verbal communications skills, computational and computer skills, mathematical, and technical skills.
2.
Have proof of completion of high school with a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 or completion of General Educational Development (GED) with a minimum overall score of 162.5, and health care related knowledge frequently acquired through completion of a trade school, para-professional, or certificate type program.
3.
If an individual has completed a degree at a higher level than required by the role and had a stronger GPA in that program, they may provide proof of GPA from that degree in lieu of the high school diploma.
4.
Have a minimum of two years of Optometry or Ophthalmology experience.
Technical Skills
1.
Ability to prepare more complex documents in Microsoft Word, including creating tables, charts, graphs and other elements.
2.
Ability to use Microsoft Excel to review and compile data, including the use of formulas, functions, lookup tables and other standard spreadsheet elements.
3.
Ability to create basic presentations in Microsoft PowerPoint.
Licenses & Certifications
None required.
Communications Skills
1. Job duties require the employee to effectively communicate routine or non-technical information to co-workers and others. 2. Effectively communicates written information (including electronic correspondence) and verbal presentations.
Physical Demands
The physical demands here in this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit and use repetitive hand movement to type and grasp. The employee is frequently required to stand or walk; and occasionally bend waist, twist waist, squat, climb, kneel, reach above shoulder height as well as below shoulder height, and/or move items up to 20 pounds.
