SCOPE OF WORK
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Designation: Optometrist (Fixed-term contract)
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Reporting to: Manager, Programme Development
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Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu – Trucking Points
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People reporting into: None
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Education: Bachelor of Optometry from a recognised University
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Work time: Monday to Saturday, 9.30 am to 5.30 pm; hours may vary on field/camp days
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Position: Fixed-term contract
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Experience: Minimum 2 years in a clinical or public health setting; experience in trucker screening is an added advantage
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MFV is a not-for-profit organisation registered under the Bombay Public Trust Act (1950), established in 2000 to eradicate avoidable blindness through the enablement of high quality, comprehensive and equitable eye health care.
Poverty is a cause and effect of visual and other disabilities that in-turn increase social divide. Eradicating blindness, 70% of which is avoidable, will enhance productivity, significantly impact on GDP and promote social and economic equity among nations. MFV’s vision is to restore the gift of vision to every visually impaired human being, irrespective of nationality, religion or socio-economic status. Its values include: Quality Care, Cost Efficiency, Sustainability, Service to all.
Among the largest NGOs engaged in eye health care, MFV has helped establish and strengthen several centres, enabling them to grow into world class centres providing comprehensive eye health care and also engaged in high quality training and research. All these organisations are able to address the key blinding conditions that affect the world, especially cataract, glaucoma, child eye health, corneal conditions, diabetic retinopathy and other retinal disorders, etc.
Currently, MFV collaborates with 27 leading eye care organizations to serve communities across more than 210 districts in 24 states & union territories of India. In the fiscal year 2024-25, MFV facilitated direct eye services for over 1,768,750 individuals, with more than 298,502 of them receiving free surgeries, primarily for cataracts.
MFV’s unique programme impact studies the impact of cataract surgery on the quality of life of individuals.
Job Profile overview: The Optometrist will be the clinical incharge of the field team, responsible for delivering high-quality refraction services, spectacle dispensing, and eye health counselling to truck drivers and allied workers at the designated trucking points in Chennai.
Expectations from the Role
- Conduct primary vision screening, refraction (using Retinoscope), and near/distance visual acuity assessments for truck drivers and trucking community members
- Prescribe appropriate spectacles based on clinical findings and assist participants in frame selection
- Conduct additional tests as required: colour vision, ocular motility, intraocular pressure and other relevant assessments specific to the occupational needs of truck drivers
- Identify participants requiring hospital referrals (e.g. cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy) and record diagnosis and referral details
- Provide counselling to participants on eye health, the importance of corrective spectacles for driving safety, and the need for hospital follow-up
- Facilitate awareness sessions at trucking points on occupational eye health risks faced by drivers
- Support the Vision Technician and Community Health Associate in ensuring smooth conduct of camps
- Manage spectacle ordering, processing, and quality checks before dispatch to ensure accuracy, alignment, and fitness for purpose
- Complete and consolidate camp data documentation into required formats for weekly and monthly reporting
- Facilitate continuous training of team members on clinical protocols, primary vision screening, and counselling guidelines
- Conduct follow-up calls or visits with referred participants to assess surgical and spectacle compliance
- Able to manage the team and coordinate with local trucking point organisers
- Prepare and submit monthly programme reports to the Programme Manager
Eligibility Requirements
- Bachelor of Optometry from a recognised University
- Minimum 2 years of experience in clinical, hospital, or public health eye care; prior experience in trucker or mobile outreach screening is an added advantage
- Fluency in Tamil; working knowledge of English
- Willing to travel across trucking points in Chennai; comfortable working in trucking environments
- Strong proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel) and email communication; data documentation, validation, and reporting, are core expectations of this role
Skills Required
- Strong clinical skills in refraction, retinoscopy, and spectacle dispensing
- Ability to adapt clinical communication for marginalized communities
- Attention to detail in data recording and reporting
- Empathy, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to build rapport with trucking communities
Core Behaviour
- Empathy and patient-centred care
- Interpersonal skills and team player
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Meticulous
- Proactive
Note: The Scope of Work is illustrative and not exhaustive and the role can be modified at the discretion of the management depending on the needs of the organization.