Front Office - Optometry - Suncoast Community Health Centers Inc.

POSITION TITLE: OPTOMETRY TECHNICIAN

FLSA: NON-EXEMPT

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Welcome and register patients in a courteous, professional, and efficient manner.
• Schedule, confirm, and manage appointments for providers, including handling cancellations and reschedules.
• Verify patient insurance eligibility and assist with claims, referrals, and pre-authorizations.
• Collect co-pays and payments, ensuring accurate application to patient accounts.
• Maintain patient records in compliance with HIPAA regulations.
• Answer phone calls, schedule appointments, and direct inquiries to the appropriate team members.
• Address patient concerns, complaints, and inquiries with professionalism and efficiency.
• Prepare patients for examinations, including performing pre-tests such as visual acuity tests, pupil assessment, and lensometry.
• Operate and maintain specialized optometric equipment, such as auto-refractors, tonometers, and retinal imaging devices, conducting tests like visual field exams and OCT imaging to assess eye health.
• Assist with fitting and training for contact lens wearers and coordinate follow-up appointments to ensure continuity of care.
• Ensure testing equipment is properly calibrated, sanitized, and functioning correctly.

• Provide financial counseling to patients, explaining insurance coverage, sliding fees, and payment options.
• Scan, organize, and label documents, including medical histories, registration forms, insurance cards, paystubs, and treatment plans.
• Ensure compliance with SCHC money handling policies, collecting and applying payments accurately.
• Manage the scheduling for all patients and walk-ins, following up on missed or no-show appointments.
• Keep patients and visitors informed of wait times.
• Answer calls professionally, record accurate messages, and respond promptly.
• Follow up on missed appointments and accommodate same-day requests when possible.
• Submit insurance claims, referrals, and pre-authorizations as needed.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming front office and waiting area.
• Process and file insurance and billing documents with attention to detail.
• Assist with administrative tasks such as sorting mail and preparing reports.
• Coordinate with the office team to ensure smooth patient flow.
• Support optometrists during clinical procedures and assist with additional tasks as required.
• Participate in team meetings and training sessions to enhance skills and performance.
• Perform additional tasks as needed to support the centers.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate.
• Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment.
• Must be able to effectively manage workflow and maintain high-quality standards in environments where staffing levels may be below ideal, demonstrating the ability to prioritize tasks and collaborate with the team under pressure.
• Ability to perform precise manipulations through the regular use of office equipment, including computers, copy machines, fax machines, telephones, calculators, and more.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, software, EMR or related software.

Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma or equivalent is required.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Must be able to travel to various center locations as required.