(USA) Optical Associate, Non-Certified

About the Role

The Optical Associate, Non-Certified position at Sam's Club involves a range of responsibilities focused on maintaining the optical department, assisting members, and processing sales and services.

Key Responsibilities

• Merchandise Presentation: Stocking merchandise, setting up and cleaning product displays, removing damaged goods, signing and pricing merchandise, and securing fragile or high-shrink items.
• Sales Floor Maintenance: Maintaining the optical sales floor according to company policies, handling claims and returns, zoning the area, organizing merchandise, and identifying shrink and damages.
• Inventory Management: Receiving and stocking merchandise, and as needed, receiving, auditing, and maintaining hearing aid inventory.
• Sales Transactions: Operating hardware (e.g., cash registers), processing member purchases, and assisting with payments, returns, refunds, and exchanges.
• Member Education & Support: Educating members on eyewear usage and care, supporting contact lens insertions, removals, and hygiene guidance.
• Optical Sales Assistance: Assisting members with purchasing decisions, measuring, adjusting, and repairing frames and lenses, completing eyewear/contact lens orders, and verifying prescription information.
• Technical Optical Tasks:
• Accurately measuring pupillary distance and position of wear for various lens types using manual and digital systems.
• Performing frame adjustments and repairs.
• Completing final inspection of eyewear prior to dispensing.
• Troubleshooting member non-adapt issues.
• Communicating with labs and optometrists regarding job status and product updates.
• Processing optical eyewear and contact lens orders.
• Monitoring trial lens inventory.
• Ensuring calibration and cleanliness of optical equipment.
• Performing final inspection of eyewear, including compound prism verification.
• Troubleshooting equipment failure issues and coordinating repairs.
• Patient Appointment Support (As needed, under guidance): Completing pre-testing and recording results for patient appointments.
• Technology Utilization: Embracing new and existing technology to support OD services.
• Payment Processing: Collecting payments for doctor/telehealth services.
• Appointment Management: Scheduling and confirming appointments, following company policies and procedures.
• Record Keeping: Maintaining and filing records in compliance with HIPAA and company procedures.
• Insurance Claims Processing: Requesting, reviewing, and processing insurance claims and payments for doctor services and eye care materials.
• Training & Development: Completing assigned virtual and hands-on trainings, participating in internal development opportunities, and developing intermediate knowledge of eye anatomy and diagnostic testing.
• Compliance & Registration: Registering with the state board for apprenticeship or permit (where applicable by state regulations) and ensuring no lapse in registration or certification.
• Teamwork & Collaboration: Leading and participating in teams by sharing resources, coordinating work, providing feedback, and modeling adaptation to change.
• Process Improvement: Developing, communicating, and implementing processes to meet business needs by collaborating with stakeholders, analyzing information, monitoring progress, and identifying improvement opportunities.
• Ethical Conduct: Promoting compliance with company policies, procedures, and standards of ethics and integrity.
• Respect & Inclusion: Embracing differences, creating a workplace of belonging, and helping associates thrive.
• Integrity & Accountability: Maintaining high standards of integrity, ethics, and compliance, and holding oneself and others accountable.
• Customer Focus: Delivering results while putting the customer first and making decisions based on reliable information.
• Continuous Improvement: Displaying curiosity, taking calculated risks, driving continuous improvements, and supporting others through change.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Hardware: Cash registers or related equipment.
• Software/Systems: POS system, manual and digital measurement systems.
• General: Optical equipment.

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications:
• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent upon job entry or within 12 months of hire.
• Meet the requirements to work as an Optical associate (minimum age, qualification, registration, certification, and/or licensure as required).
• Must obtain American Board of Opticianry (ABO) certification within 15 months of hire or job entry.
• Willingness and ability to register and maintain own NPI number as required by state law.
• Licensed/Registered States Only: Meets or can satisfy state law requirements to become an apprentice optician and licensed optician.
• Licensed/Registered States Only: Must obtain state-required optician licensure within 18 months of hire or job entry for full-time associates (unless additional training hours are mandated by state law).
• Licensed/Registered States Only: Must complete all applicable state licensure requirements and obtain optician licensure within 3 months of completing the minimum apprenticeship hours required by the state.
• Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience working in a health care or retail setting.

Compensation

• Hourly wage range: $18.50 to $26.50+ USD
• Potential for additional compensation through premiums (ranging from $0.35 to $3.00 per hour) based on schedule, facility, season, or specific work performed.

Benefits

• Health Benefits: Medical, vision, and dental coverage.
• Financial Benefits: 401(k), stock purchase, and company-paid life insurance.
• Paid Time Off (PTO): PTO, parental leave, family care leave, bereavement, jury duty, and voting leave. PTO/PPTO can be used for vacation, sick leave, holidays, or other purposes.
• Other Benefits: Short-term and long-term disability, company discounts, Military Leave Pay, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement.
• Live Better U: Company-paid education benefit program for full-time and part-time associates, covering programs from high school completion to bachelor's degrees, including certificates. Tuition, books, and fees are paid by Walmart.

Eligibility for certain benefits may depend on job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change.