Opinion on work experience before applying to optometry school

[bread_genie]

So, I have been working as an optometrist's assistant in an optometrist's office for a little over a year now. Here I'm in charge of working up the patients, claiming and verifying insurances, collecting payments, answering phone calls, organizing patient information, and handling appointments. I was offered a job to work at the University of Houston College of Optometry to work as a billing specialist at their front desk. Here I would be in charge of billing information and patient medical records but not working up the patients as the students will all be in charge of that.

I was wondering if it is best for me to keep working in my current position or if it is better to start working at UHCO. It is my top choice optometry school but I am unsure which position is best for my situation. I will be applying for the class of 2025 next year.

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[DoctorOD]

I think working as a billing person at UHCO would be a good idea- based strictly on the fact that you'd get face time with the professors who would eventually admit you. I would argue your experience at the OD's clinic is more secretarial and less medical, so I would try and get more hands-on patient care for your resume.

When I applied to schools years ago, I had plenty of medical and tech experience, but when I asked the optometry advisors about where I should shadow, they mentioned working at a LensCrafters or PearleVision in order to bolster my optician experience. It worked great- even though I'm in a medical-only practice now.

Good luck in the application process!

 

[AcademicEyes]

I also think taking the job at UHCO is a good idea. The staff/administration will be familiar with your name and possibly work ethic depending on how much the clinic side of the school intermingles with the academic side.