Optometry Supervisor

UC Santa Cruz Student Health Services is seeking a licensed Optometrist to provide exceptional eye care to students while leading and helping establish our inaugural Optometry Clinic. This is an exciting opportunity to build a new service, supervise a growing team, and make a meaningful impact on student health and well-being. We are offering a full-time, 12-month position with a start date as soon as possible. Other position options may include a four-day workweek or an optional four-week unpaid summer break while retaining employment status and health benefits. These arrangements can be discussed during the interview process. JOB SUMMARY The Optometry Supervisor oversees the clinical, technical, and operational activities of the UCSC Optometry Department. The incumbent provides direct supervision and leadership to personnel, including planning and assigning work, evaluating staff performance, providing technical guidance and training, and coordinating clinical and optical services to ensure high-quality patient care. The Optometry Supervisor oversees daily departmental operations, establishes work priorities, monitors service standards, and ensures compliance with professional practice requirements and University policies. Additional responsibilities include oversight of optical dispensing services, diagnostic equipment, inventory management, purchasing, and vendor relationships to ensure the availability of optical merchandise, clinical supplies, and other resources necessary for efficient departmental operations. The Optometry Supervisor also serves as a licensed Optometrist responsible for providing comprehensive primary eye care services. Clinical responsibilities include performing comprehensive eye examinations, evaluating visual function and ocular health, diagnosing and managing ocular diseases and visual disorders, prescribing corrective lenses and therapeutic treatments within the scope of optometric practice, and coordinating referrals for specialized care. APPOINTMENT INFORMATION Budgeted Salary: $180,000 - $190,000/Anually. Proportionate to time worked. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience. Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount. Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits Schedule Information: - Full-time or Part-time, Fixed - Percentage of Time: 80% or 100%, 32 or 40 Hours per Week - Days of the Week: Mon-Fri - Shift Includes: Day Employee Classification: Career appointment Job End Date: None Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus Union Representation: Non-Represented Job Code Classification: OPTOMETRY SUPV 2 (006511) Travel: Never or Rarely JOB DUTIES 60% - Staff Supervision, Leadership & Technical Oversight - Provides direct supervision and leadership to assigned optometry personnel, ensuring effective staff performance, efficient clinical and optical operations, and the consistent delivery of high-quality patient services. - Provides professional and technical oversight of optometry services, clinical equipment, and quality assurance activities to support safe, accurate, and effective patient care. - Plans, assigns, schedules, coordinates, and reviews the work of assigned employees to ensure appropriate staffing coverage, efficient patient flow, and timely delivery of clinical and optical services. - Evaluates clinical and technical procedures to ensure consistency with established professional standards, patient safety requirements, and appropriate optometric practices. - Provides technical guidance to assigned staff regarding clinical support procedures, diagnostic equipment, optical measurements, prescription processing, and established patient care protocols. - Oversees merchandise and inventory management practices to ensure appropriate product availability, accurate inventory records, timely replenishment of merchandise and supplies, and coordination with optical laboratories and vendors. - Oversees the functionality, maintenance, calibration, and servicing of diagnostic instruments, examination equipment, and optical dispensing technology. - Monitors compliance with applicable professional licensing requirements, patient confidentiality standards, infection control procedures, and clinical safety regulations. - Conducts peer review in accordance with the SHS Quality Management Program. - Participates in recruitment, selection, hiring, onboarding, and training of departmental personnel. Establishes employee performance expectations, provides ongoing feedback and coaching, and conducts formal performance evaluations. - Identifies staff training and professional development needs, coordinates educational opportunities, and promotes continued competency in clinical support, technical procedures, optical dispensing, and patient services. - Promotes a collaborative, respectful, and accountable work environment through effective communication, team development, consistent application of policies, and support of departmental goals and service standards. 40% - Clinical Optometry & Direct Patient Care - Provides comprehensive optometric services requiring independent professional judgment, specialized clinical expertise, and adherence to established standards of care. - Performs comprehensive eye examinations to assess visual acuity, refractive status, binocular vision, ocular health, and overall visual function. - Diagnoses, treats, and manages refractive errors, visual disorders, and ocular diseases within the authorized scope of optometric practice. - Prescribes eyeglasses, contact lenses, and appropriate treatments based on clinical findings and individual patient needs. - Performs contact lens evaluations, fittings, follow-up examinations, and management of contact lens-related complications. - Evaluates and manages ocular health concerns, including urgent eye conditions, and determines appropriate treatment or referral. - Identifies ocular manifestations of systemic health conditions and coordinates referrals to ophthalmologists and other healthcare providers when indicated. - Educates patients regarding ocular health, preventive care, treatment options, contact lens hygiene, and appropriate follow-up care. - Maintains accurate and timely clinical documentation in accordance with professional standards, departmental procedures, and regulatory requirements. - Exercises independent clinical judgment in determining diagnoses, developing treatment plans, and providing appropriate patient care. - Provides consultation and works closely with Same Day Care and Primary Care clinicians as needed. - In the absence of the Optician, performs duties as operationally necessary. - Maintains awareness of advancements in optometric care, diagnostic technology, optical products, and professional practice standards. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS - Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree from an accredited school or college of optometry. - Current and valid California license in good standing to practice optometry. - Thorough knowledge of comprehensive optometric examinations, ocular disease management, refractive assessment, and contact lens services. - Demonstrated ability to supervise, train, coach, and evaluate employees in a clinical or healthcare service environment. - Knowledge of clinical operations, optical dispensing procedures, diagnostic equipment, and technical support functions. - Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of staff while managing competing priorities and maintaining high standards of patient care. - Knowledge of applicable professional standards, patient safety requirements, and regulatory compliance. - Knowledge of inventory management, purchasing procedures, and vendor coordination. - Strong interpersonal, communication, leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills. - Ability to exercise independent clinical judgment and effectively coordinate professional and operational responsibilities. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS - Previous supervisory or leadership experience in an optometry practice, healthcare clinic, or comparable clinical environment. SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT - California License, in good standing, issued by the California State Board of Optometry - Selected candidate will be required to successfully complete a pre-hire criminal history background check and a pre-hire credentialing check. - Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process. - Must possess a Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification or have the ability to obtain it within 90-calendar days of hire. - Selected candidate will be required to take a TB test within 60 days of hire. - Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training. - Complete Health Insurance Portability and Accessibility (HIPAA) training within 30 days of hire. - Employees whose positions are designated as Category 1 or Category 2 for occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) must receive the Hepatitis B vaccination or sign a Hepatitis B vaccination declination statement. Initial and annual Bloodborne Pathogens training is also required. - Ability to wear a respirator in accordance with the California Code of Regulations Title 8, 5144. - Ability to read signs and follow directions on labels that are written in English as well as ability to read and understand Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and the proper use of chemical compounds. - Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional s