INTRODUCTION TO THE OA POSTITION

OA stands for Optometric Assistant, a position that is VITAL to the success of Professional VisionCare. We figured the best place to start is with a detailed description of all the tasks and responsibilities you will learn and perform as an amazing OA! The primary role of an OA is to complete treatment plans by assisting the doctors in the delivery of comprehensive, quality eye health and vision care to our fantastic patients at every appointment.  By accepting this role in a health care profession, the optometric assistant will embody compassion and professionalism at all times and keep the needs of their patients paramount in support of the mission of our organization.

Here is an overview of some of the responsibilities that you will learn and fulfill as a successful OA at our practice:

  • Plan and prepare for the day by reviewing the doctor’s schedule.

  • Open and prepare exam rooms for patient care at the beginning of the day, and maintain adequate stocking (supplies and equipment) and professional appearance of exam rooms throughout the day.

  • Make sure all equipment is sterilized after each encounter.

  • Close exam rooms at the end of the day and perform proper shut down of all necessary equipment.

  • Accurately and efficiently perform certain ancillary testing procedures on behalf of the doctor during patient workup.

  • Communicate effectively with patients to ascertain the reason for the visit, and update any changes to their medical history in their chart.

  • Assist the doctor in completion of the patient’s chart by scribing during examination.

  • Coordinate transition of patient care to eyewear stylists by accurately recording all of the doctor’s recommendations for glasses and contact lenses.

  • Wear and maintain professional appearance of uniform(s) dictated by management

The above represent objectives expected of each and every optometric assistant within the office.  Individual optometric assistants will each have additional administrative responsibilities to maintain a smooth, consistent, efficient patient care operation.  Examples of these duties include but are not limited to:

  • Management of diagnostic pharmaceutical inventory

  • Management of supplies for equipment (printing paper, ink cartridges, batteries)

  • Management of patient care supplies (Kleenex, paper towels, cotton tip applicators, etc.)

  • Organization of supply closet and exam room drawers

  • Maintaining the quantity and quality of patient educational materials

  • Management of specialty referral information

  • Management of interoffice referral information

At this point, you are probably unsure of what half of these duties/tasks mean; that’s okay! we are excited to train you on understanding what each task is, how to complete it, and how to complete it perfectly! The intent of your training period is to prepare you to fully take on the duties and responsibilities of an Optometric Assistant.  During your training it is not only important for you to learn the tasks associated with your position, but to understand how and why we do them and the impact the contribution of an OA can have on a patient’s health and vision.

We will start some of your training here in these modules, but a lot of this position can only be fully understood in person with the equipment, patient examples, and technology. These modules will be completed alongside “on the floor” training where you will begin to implement the OA tasks you learn in the modules with a trainer by your side. To become a fully trained OA, you must demonstrate proficiency in a number of tasks and skills associated with the position.  You will be expected to perform these tests accurately, efficiently, and independently in order to pass your training. 

CERTIFICATIoN

One of the exciting benefits of becoming an Optometric Assistant is that there is an automatic opportunity for growth! There are three certifications available through the American Optometric Association that you are encouraged to pursue-and they are kinda a big deal! The best part: Professional VisionCare is so dedicated to your growth and success, that we will not only provide you study materials to prep you for your certifications, but we will also PAY for the testing fees! It’s pretty awesome, so we encourage each full-time optometric assistant to have a goal of achieving paraoptometric certification following the guidelines established by the American Optometric Association (AOA), and not only will you have the prestige of your new title, but you also get a pay increase for each certification you complete!

1st level - CERTIFIED PARAOPTOMETRIC (CPO) Applicants must have a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent. at least 6 months employment in the eye care field.

2nd level - CERTIFIED PARAOPTOMETRIC ASSISTANT (CPOA) Applicants must have earned the CPO title and verify a minimum of 6 months experience as a CPO.

3rd level - CERTIFIED PARAOPTOMETRIC TECHNICIAN (CPOT): Applicants must have earned the CPOA title and verify a minimum of 6 months experience as a CPOA.

Optometric Assistants employed by PVC become eligible for certification after a minimum of 6 months of full-time employment and must be in good standing with PVC and show competency in all performance areas. 

A request for application for each level of certification must be attained at least one month prior to the posted application deadline that is posted on the American Optometric Associations website.  The application should be submitted to the appropriate administrator (Cyndi Savitsky) who will enroll you for the test and verify that all requirements have been met.

PVC will pay for study materials and examination fees (not including late fee registration) for each level of certification that is achieved as long as the employee remains at PVC in good standing for at least 6 months following the date that certification is achieved.  If the employee attaining certification chooses to resign or is terminated from PVC prior to six months, it is the employee’s responsibility to reimburse PVC any fees that were paid for the last certification achieved within six months of separation from PVC.  PVC has the right to withhold the amount paid by PVC from the employee’s last paycheck if no other arrangements have been made for reimbursement, incompliance with federal and state withholding laws.   

It is not the responsibility of PVC to pay for any study time that is needed to attain each level of certification. Studying for each level of certification should be done outside paid work hours and should not affect patient care and the normal responsibilities of a PVC optometric assistant.  PVC has the right to obtain reimbursement for the cost of the examination from the employee if the employee fails to pass the certification due to negligence by the employee.  PVC will pay for examination fees only one time for each level of certification.

BENEFITS OF CERTIFICATION

An automatic raise of 50 cents per hour will be awarded for each level of certification achieved as outlined above.  Optometric Assistants will also be considered for merit based raises according to quality of performance and longevity with PVC when deemed appropriate.

Professional VisionCare will pay membership dues to the AOA Paraoptometric Association as long as the employee remains in good standing.  It is the employees responsibility to forward membership dues to be paid by PVC in a timely manner to the appropriate administrator.  PVC is not responsible for any late fees that are accrued if not paid on time due to employee tardiness.