Healthcare Practice Manager – Optical Services

The Optical Shop Limited seeks a Healthcare Practice Manager to lead the operational delivery of patient eye-care and optical services within its independent practice.

DUTIES

• Manage patient pathways from booking and arrival through examination, dispensing and follow-up, coordinating operational arrangements with registered professionals.
• Plan appointment capacity, room utilisation, staff deployment and practice resources; monitor waiting times and resolve service delays.
• Supervise optical-support and administrative employees, prepare rosters, allocate duties within their training and permitted scope, and monitor performance.
• Coordinate laboratory workflow, external laboratory services and spectacle-order tracking.
• Ensure examination rooms, equipment, patient records and supplies are ready for registered Optometrists.
• Develop and maintain procedures for reception, clinical-support workflows, laboratory coordination, equipment and records.
• Manage operational quality assurance, conduct audits, investigate service failures and implement corrective actions.
• Manage non-clinical complaints and incidents; escalate clinical concerns and patient-care questions to registered professionals.
• Monitor remakes, defects, delayed orders and supplier failures, addressing operational causes.
• Maintain procedures supporting GDPR, confidentiality, secure records, hygiene and workplace safety.
• Oversee equipment maintenance, servicing and calibration; maintain service and fault records.
• Manage stock, replenishment and procurement within delegated authority; monitor supplier pricing, quality and delivery.
• Monitor expenditure against approved budgets, analyse variances and recommend cost-control improvements.
• Monitor KPIs covering patient flow, capacity, turnaround times, order accuracy, stock and patient satisfaction.
• Report operational performance, risks and improvement priorities to directors.
• Coordinate recruitment, induction and training, maintain training records and monitor procedural compliance.
• Lead workflow improvements and coordinate new equipment, technology and practice systems.

REQUIREMENTS

- Relevant third-level qualification in Optometry, Ophthalmic Science, Healthcare Management or Occupational Safety and Health qualifications considered with healthcare management experience involving practice operations, patient-service coordination and staff supervision.

- Knowledge of optical workflows, quality assurance, GDPR, confidentiality and workplace safety.

- Experience in resource planning, stock control, procurement, supplier coordination and management reporting.

- Strong leadership, organisational, communication, problem-solving and computer skills.

- Independent optical-practice experience and knowledge of lenses, equipment, budgets and operational audits are desirable.

PROFESSIONAL SCOPE

This is an operational management position, not an appointment as an Optometrist or Dispensing Optician