(USA) Associate Optometrist - Walmart

Quick Facts

• Delivers evidence-based vision care, performs comprehensive eye exams, prescribes and fits vision aids, orders and interprets diagnostic tests, and coordinates follow-up/referrals per scope of practice.
• Maintains accurate, confidential patient information in vision center systems and ensures adherence to state, local, and federal healthcare regulations.

Description

A Walmart Associate Optometrist serves as the clinical partner to the Vision Center Manager and is core to advancing eyecare affordably for patients. The role emphasizes autonomy, evidence-based care guidelines, patient education and counseling, coordinated patient care plans within optometry scope of practice per state board, and adoption of advanced technology.

Provides evidence-based vision care by:

• Recommending and prescribing medications and other treatment options (e.g., red eye, LASIK surgery, cataract surgery) using evidence-based care guidelines
• Delivering routine vision care
• Educating patients and store associates on eye health, including contact lens care, disease state management, and safety factors
• Recommending appropriate patient follow-up
• Consulting with other health professionals to prepare and coordinate patient care plans per state optometry scope of practice
• Providing appropriate referrals to ophthalmologists and other healthcare professionals as needed
• Following up with patients and other health professionals regarding outstanding diagnostics, tests, or other patient information

Evaluates patients by conducting comprehensive eye examinations across and within the full vision center scope of service, including:

• Visual acuity, visual function, and eye health
• Keratometry and refraction
• Reviewing complete patient medical history information
• Examining eyes using observation, instruments, and pharmaceutical agents to assess visual acuity, perception, focus, coordination, and signs of vision defects
• Prescribing, fitting, and adjusting eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other vision aids
• Suggesting, ordering, interpreting, and assessing diagnostic tests (e.g., glaucoma testing, macular degeneration, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT))
• Providing additional vision treatment as necessary (e.g., foreign body removal)
• Developing treatment plans based on clinical presentation and patient preferences using evidence-based care guidelines
• Referring patients with conditions outside vision care services to appropriate community providers
• Completing documentation of patient history, physical assessment, and treatment plan in a timely manner

Provides overall direction by:

• Analyzing business objectives and customer needs
• Developing, communicating, building support for, and implementing business strategies, plans, and practices
• Analyzing costs and forecasts and incorporating them into business plans
• Determining and supporting resource requirements
• Evaluating operational processes
• Measuring outcomes and identifying opportunities for improvement
• Promoting a customer environment and demonstrating adaptability

Represents the company in vision care and patient engagement by:

• Delivering exceptional customer service in all patient interactions
• Maintaining and updating patient information in vision center systems (for example, BOSS) in a timely, accurate, and confidential manner
• Assisting vision center staff (for example, opticians) on best practices and procedures
• Ensuring adherence to state, local, and federal healthcare regulations and Walmart vision center guidelines
• Performing administrative and retail tasks as necessary (e.g., financial transactions, patient registration, retail transactions)
• Working with internal and external stakeholders to ensure coordinated and integrated patient care and high quality customer service

Develops and implements workforce strategies by:

• Diagnosing capability gaps
• Recruiting, selecting, and developing talent
• Supporting mentorship, workforce development, and succession planning
• Leveraging capabilities of new and existing talent

Cultivates an environment of integrity and ethics by:

• Integrating integrity and ethics values into programs and practices
• Developing consequences for violations or non-compliance
• Supporting the Open Door Policy

Builds partnerships and community outreach by:

• Sponsoring and leading key community outreach and involvement initiatives
• Engaging stakeholders in development, execution, and evaluation of business plans and initiatives
• Supporting associate efforts

Embraces new equipment technology and advanced instrumentation, including:

• Digital phoropters
• EMR
• Maestro (OCT/retinal camera combo)

Requirements

• Doctoral degree in Optometry (OD) from accredited optometry school
• Licensed optometrist in good standing in state of practice

Benefits

• Competitive pay and performance-based bonus awards
• Health benefits: medical, vision, and dental coverage
• Financial benefits: 401(k), stock purchase, company-paid life insurance
• Paid time off: PTO (including sick leave), parental leave, family care leave, bereavement, jury duty, and voting; PTO/PPTO for vacation, sick leave, holidays, or other purposes (amount depends on classification and employment length)
• Disability: short-term and long-term disability
• Additional benefits: company discounts, Military Leave Pay, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, and more
• Live Better U: Walmart-paid education benefit program; tuition, books, and fees completely paid for by Walmart (eligibility requirements apply)