Optometric Assistant

Are you passionate about eye care and looking to jumpstart your career with a leading provider in the field? Thomas Eye Group is searching for a dynamic Optometric Assistant to join our dedicated team. If you're eager to make a difference and work in a vibrant, patient-focused environment, we want to hear from you!

Thomas Eye Group is a premier eye care provider, dedicated to offering top-notch vision care services across the Atlanta area. With a commitment to delivering exceptional patient experiences, we combine advanced technology with a compassionate approach to eye health. We have been offering services in optometry, cataract surgery, cornea, retina, and glaucoma treatment, oculoplastics, and pediatric ophthalmology for 50 years!

The Optometric Assistant will support eye examinations, perform clerical duties, and maintain examination equipment. This role requires strong communication and interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and a keen interest in repairing and maintaining glasses and ocular equipment. The ideal candidate is punctual, reliable, capable of multitasking, and conscientious about triaging and escalating issues. Proficiency in typing and excellent listening and understanding abilities are essential.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist with eye examinations and maintain examination equipment.

• Perform clerical duties such as loading patient data into the EMR system and documenting medical information during patient exams.

• Greet patients promptly and courteously.

• Dispense samples, education materials, information brochures, and written prescriptions as directed by the optometrist.

• Route charts, assign, and complete patient follow-up tasks by the end of the shift or within 24 hours, depending on urgency.

• Ensure patients understand the information explained by the provider and answer questions regarding medications prescribed by the optometrist.

• Escort patients to the front desk for check-out and ensure proper coding of visits and services.

• Keep optometrists informed of patient flow and document procedures performed by the optometrist.

• Transcribe consultations or discussions with family members accurately.

• Organize and replenish exam rooms with medical supplies and clean equipment for the next day.

• Assess charts and follow up with patients (letters, emails, prescriptions) by the end of the day as indicated in the EMR system.

• Escalate issues to the Optometric Supervisor, Senior Optometric Manager, and/or Optometrist in a timely manner.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education: High school diploma is required; some college or a degree is preferred.

Experience: Less than 1 year of experience in a healthcare environment, familiarity with diagnostic codes and EMR systems preferred.

Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Punctual and reliable with the ability to multitask.
• Conscientious about triage and escalation of issues.
• Excellent typing skills (at least 45 wpm with accuracy).
• Proficient in listening and understanding.
• Ability to work with optometrists and learn on the job.

Core Competencies:

• Greet patients promptly and courteously.
• Load patient data into the EMR system to maintain clinic flow and schedule.
• Document medical information during patient exams accurately.
• Reiterate information provided by the doctor to patients clearly.
• Dispense samples, education materials, and written prescriptions to patients.
• Route charts and complete patient follow-up tasks within specified timelines.
• Ensure friendly and helpful interactions with patients at all times.
• Maintain professional conduct and minimize socialization to ensure courtesy and professionalism.
• Confirm patient understanding of information explained by the provider.
• Answer medication-related questions within the scope of practice and involve the optometrist as needed.
• Escort patients to the front desk for check-out.
• Properly code visits and services provided under the optometrist's oversight.
• Keep optometrists informed of patient flow and document procedures.
• Transcribe consultations or family discussions accurately.
• Assist with patient care as directed by the optometrist.
• Organize and replenish exam rooms with necessary supplies and equipment.
• Make assessments of charts and follow up with patients as indicated in the EMR system by the end of the day.
• Escalate issues to the appropriate supervisory personnel in a timely manner.
• Perform other duties as assigned.