Optometric Assistant job description template
If you are hiring for this role, start here. This free template is our detailed definition of the position, with everything you need to find and hire the right person. Copy it, add your own requirements, and post it.
What is an Optometric Assistant?
Optometric Assistants are specialized professionals who assist optometrists in performing eye and vision tests.
Their duties can be administrative and medical.
They answer phone calls, schedule appointments and examinations, oversee transactions and payments, and update patients' medical histories.
They are also responsible for conducting vision tests, cleaning and preparing examination rooms, maintaining equipment, and selecting appropriate glasses and lenses for patients.
The top Optometric Assistant skills.
Five things separate a strong hire from a résumé that reads well. Use these as your scorecard criteria.
The job description, ready to post.
Copy it as written, or edit it until it sounds like your company. Both work.
We are hiring a responsible and well-organized Optometric Assistant to perform administrative and technical duties to assist the Optometrist. Your responsibilities in this position will include greeting and welcoming patients and collecting their data and medical history, answering their questions, scheduling appointments, and managing inventory. You will also prepare and clean the examination room and perform visual acuity examinations and other tests as necessary.
Furthermore, you will be assisting patients with the selection of appropriate frames, glasses, and contact lenses based on their visual needs. You will also educate and instruct them on proper eye, glasses, and lens care and maintenance. If you have extraordinary customer service, communication, organization, and attention to detail, you may be the perfect candidate for us!
Duties and responsibilities
- Greet and welcome patients
- Collect patients’ data and medical history
- Assist patients and answer their questions
- Answer phone calls and provide accurate information
- Schedule appointments, keep records, and file insurance claims
- Manage inventory and order supplies when needed
- Prepare patients for eye and vision examinations
- Perform or assist with eye and vision examinations
- Perform visual acuity measurements and other tests as required
- Sanitize, clean, and maintain examination rooms
- Administer eye drops and other prescriptions
- Help patients select appropriate contact lenses, glasses, and frames
- Instruct patients on proper eye, lens, and glasses care and maintenance
- Repair frames and damaged glasses and modify lenses
Requirements
- High school diploma or a GED
- An Associate’s degree in optometric technology preferred
- Completed program in optometrist or medical assisting
- Certification from American Optometric Association
- Strong knowledge of optometric equipment and terminology
- Outstanding communication and customer service skills
- Excellent organization skills
- Attention to detail
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Copy it straight into your job board or ATS, or have it emailed to you with the interview questions for this role.
What education this role needs.
The minimum educational requirement for Optometric Assistants is a high school diploma or a GED.
Candidates can also obtain an Associate’s degree in optometric technology or attend programs in optometric or medical assisting.
Certification is not typically the requirement, but some candidates decide to obtain a certificate from American Optometric Association.
Sample interview questions for an Optometric Assistant.
Once you have gathered the applications, work through these in order. Twelve questions across four areas, enough to tell your shortlist apart.
- Why are you interested in optometry?
- How do you think your friends would briefly describe you?
- Have you ever worn glasses or lenses?
- What makes you qualified for this position?
- Could you tell us more about your education and certifications?
- How long have you worked as an Optometric Assistant?
- What does your typical workday look like?
- What would you say about your work ethic?
- How do you respond to and resolve patients' complaints?
- What specialized equipment are you most comfortable using?
- Could you describe the process of measuring the distance between a patient’s pupils?
- How do you ensure the accuracy of a patient’s medical history and insurance?
How much to pay when hiring.
Annual pay by percentile. Where you land depends on the size of the cycle they will own, and the 25th percentile is usually where a first analyst hire sits.
Hourly equivalents run from $9 at the 10th percentile to $18 at the 90th.
Candidates may apply under a different name.
Post the title your industry uses and keep the rest of the description. These three roles overlap enough that the same posting usually reaches all of them.
Three titles, one description.
Search behavior varies by industry, so the same job is advertised under several names. If you are unsure which one your candidates search for, run two titles and see which fills.
Optometrist
An Optometrist is a healthcare professional specializing in examining, diagnosing, and managing vision problems and eye conditions.
$124,213 medianOptician
Opticians are professionals responsible for making and repairing eyeglasses and contact lenses for patients based on their vision needs.
$47,005 medianFrequently asked questions.
Where do Optometric Assistants work?
Optometric Assistants can work in medical care facilities, hospitals, eye care facilities, private optometric offices, etc.
What do Optometric Assistants do?
Optometric Assistants are responsible for customer service, technical, and administrative duties.
They welcome patients, schedule appointments, answer phone calls, clean and maintain examination rooms, and sometimes perform eye and vision tests to assist Optometrists.
What are the essential skills for Optometric Assistants?
Optometric Assistants must have terrific customer service, communication, organization, and attention to detail, as well as a vast knowledge of work-related equipment and terminology.
How much do Optometric Assistants earn?
Optometric Assistants commonly earn between $18,500 and $37,500 per year.
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