Optometrist

Position Overview

BharatCares is seeking a highly experienced and driven Optometrist to lead and scale its vision care vertical across rural and semi-urban geographies.

This role will be responsible for end-to-end vertical oversight, program design, quality assurance, and field execution of large-scale eye screening and vision correction initiatives. The position requires a strong balance of clinical expertise, program management, and leadership capability to build and strengthen a scalable, impact-driven model.

Key Responsibilities

Program Design and Implementation

• Lead design and execution of delivery models, school screening, community camps, and workplace site programs
• Develop camp-wise operational protocols: mobilisation checklists, equipment lists, workflow sequences, contingency plans
• Oversee end-to-end workflow from mobilisation through screening, dispensing, referral, and follow-ups
• Ensure all camps run on schedule, within budget, and meet quality benchmarks
• Own program data quality, ensure all camp data is captured accurately and completely on KoboToolbox or equivalent platform
• Work closely with the Program Head and State Program Managers to align field execution with CSR reporting requirements and donor commitments

Clinical Oversight

• Design and standardise screening protocols for school, community, and workplace camps, covering visual acuity, colour vision, near vision, and refraction
• Ensure refraction quality across all field teams through supervisory camp visits and random re-testing of beneficiaries
• Conduct regular audits of spectacle accuracy, power verification of lab batches before dispatch, defect tracking, return and replacement management
• Establish clinical standards for referral decision-making, defining when to refer, for what conditions, and to which facility type
• Maintain zero-tolerance for wrong prescriptions reaching beneficiaries

Training and Capacity Building

• Recruit, onboard, and train district-level optometrists, vision technicians, and field team.
• Develop a structured training curriculum covering clinical skills, field protocols, MIS usage, referral procedures, and beneficiary communication
• Conduct refresher training quarterly and after any quality audit findings
• Build a pipeline through partnerships with optometry colleges for internship-to-employment conversion

Government and Partner Coordination

• Coordinate with District Blindness Control Society, PHC Medical Officers, RBSK teams, and Block Education Officers
• Manage MOU execution with partner hospitals, reserved OPD slots, PMJAY linkage, referral feedback
• Empanel and manage optical lab vendors, enforce 10-day Turnaround Time and quality standards

Key Requirements and Qualifications

• Mandatory B.Optom or M.Optom or equivalent degree from a recognised institution.
• 2-5 years of experience in optometry, with at least 2 years in a public health, outreach, NGO, or CSR-funded program setting
• Demonstrated experience leading or supervising a team of optometrists or vision care professionals.
• Experience designing or managing multi-site outreach programs
• Familiarity with government eye care systems, NPCBVI, RBSK, DBCS, PMJAY and how to work within and alongside them
• Willingness to travel frequently to rural and semi-urban districts

Skills & Competencies

• Strong clinical expertise in refraction, primary eye care, and screening protocols
• Proven program management and execution skills
• Ability to work in field-based, resource-constrained environments
• Strong leadership and team management capability
• Effective stakeholder engagement and communication skills
• Basic understanding of data, MIS, and performance tracking
• Problem-solving mindset with ability to adapt in dynamic field conditions.