The Bahir Dar Specialty Eye Center (BDSEC), an initiative of Cure Blindness Project, has finalized its office set-up and is expected to become a leading institution in the fight against avoidable blindness in East Africa. For over 25 years, the initiative has been at the forefront of global efforts to eradicate avoidable blindness by developing high quality, cost-effective eye care systems in underserved regions. It has facilitated over 1.4 million sight-restoring surgeries and screened more than 14.5 million people, providing essential care and treatments to those in need.

In addition to these surgical achievements, the initiative has trained over 19,500 eye health professionals and established five eye hospitals around the world. As part of its continued commitment to improving global eye health, BDSEC is proud to introduce a state-of-the-art facility in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.

BDSEC will offer advanced cataract surgeries and a wide range of specialized eye examinations and surgical procedures.

BDSEC is seeking to recruit a team of highly skilled health professionals who will play a crucial role in the Center’s mission to restore sight and improve the quality of life for countless individuals in the region. We invite qualified candidates to apply for the following key positions

Position Summary:

The Optometrist performs a range of duties which includes performing basic and routine ophthalmic examinations with slit lamp, performs refraction and prescribes eyeglasses for refractive errors, performs different subspecialty tests and runs the optical workshop.

Due to high number of applicants, we will start the screening and recruitment before the closing date. Thus, applications are encourage to apply as earlies as possible. 

For any additional clarification, you can call to us: +251-911077709/+251- 91 340 8949

Website: https/cureblindess.org

About You

Duties and responsibilities: 

• Performs complete ophthalmic history and preliminary ophthalmic examinations.
• Prescribe topical and systemic medications to treat ocular infections and systemic diseases.
• Provides primary ophthalmic care to patients, diagnose and manage binocular vision disorders.
• Perform refraction and prescribe eyeglasses for refractive errors should have knowledge of contact lens fitting
• Performs sub-specialty tests like Visual field test, A-Scan, Biometry (IOL master), Pachymetry, fundus camera evaluation, color testing, non-contact tonometry and contact lens evaluation).
• Diagnoses and manage post -operative refractive errors
• Give first line management to ocular emergencies
• Runs the optical workshop with the optician
• Requests and fulfills logistics for the optical workshop
• Report refraction related performances to the CCO.
• Work as part of an eye care team that is involved in the prevention of blindness.
• Attend weekly team meetings and be prepared to present findings and observations.
• Engage in research activities as needed.
• Verifies patient information by interviewing patient, recording medical history, and confirming purpose of visit.
• Accurately records all information in EMR system according to established standards.
• Perform community-based eye care programs such as school eye screening programs (Vision Testing Programs) including the training of schoolteachers and health professionals in vision screening.
• Perform minor procedures at the minor operation room.
• Secures patient information and maintains patient confidence by completing and safeguarding medical records, completing diagnostic and procedure coding, and keeping patient information confidential.
• Counsels’ patients by transmitting physician’s orders, use of drops, contact lenses, drugs, and answer questions about surgery and specialty imagining required/ordered.
• Support the ophthalmologist in all aspect of the patient care program.
• Maintains a safe, secure, and healthy work environment by establishing and following standards and procedures along with complying with legal regulations.
• Keeps equipment operating by following operating instructions maintaining supplies, performing preventive maintenance, and promptly reporting equipment issues.
• Maintains stock in refraction room in accordance to standard inventory and Ophthalmology preferences.
• Work as part of an eye care team that is involved in the prevention of blindness.
• Must be able to work at alternative BDSEC locations as needed
• Positivity – Display a positive attitude and is a positive agent for change.
• Teamwork – Work as part of a team and collaborate with co-workers.
• Working Under Pressure – Ability to complete assigned tasks under stressful situations.
• Glaze and fit spectacles prescribed by the optometrist
• Dispenses eyeglasses at BDSEC
• Handles optical workshop instruments properly.
• Requests consumables and materials for the optical workshop
• Maintains integrity with the patient
• Keeps optical workshop instruments clean
• Maintains/request for maintenance of optical instruments accordingly
• Confirms the spectacles provided are according to the prescription

Qualifications & skills: 

• Bachelor of science in optometry with at least five years of experience and with
• Master of science in optometry with at least three years of clinical experience or
• Master of science in optometry with a total of 8 years work experience
• Actively practicing   eye care services in secondary eye units or tertiary eye units till the present dates
• Knowledge of customer service principles and practices.
• Possession of strong problem-solving skills and sound judgment.
• Proficient in computers and relevant software applications and practice management technology.
• Ability to achieve team goals while demonstrating organizational values and utilizing resources responsibly.
• Ability to be proactive and take initiative.
• Possession of strong organizational skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, as well as exceptional interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate across departments and build effective relationships with internal and external customers to achieve goals.
• Exhibit high level of quality through attention to detail and monitoring of work.
• Ability to work independently on assigned tasks as well as to accept direction on given assignments.
• Deals with confidential information and/or issues using discretion and judgment.

Preferred experience: 

• Practical Experience in cataract outreach program and campaign coordination.
• Previous working experience in eye care service organization, Health background organization or NGO work experience.
• Short term training on special optometry training.