Job Description:
The Ophthalmology Optometry Clinical Lead leverages hands-on eye care and practice operations experience within outpatient ophthalmology or optometry settings to guide product development, implementation, and sales. This role serves as a clinical subject matter expert responsible for ensuring ophthalmic and optometric workflows—including specialized diagnostic testing, multi-stage clinical workups, subspecialty care, and complex vision/medical billing structures—are clinically appropriate, operationally effective, and aligned with patient safety and regulatory expectations . The successful applicant will partner closely with product management, design, and development teams to ensure our healthcare IT solutions reflect real-world ophthalmic workflows, device integrations, and regulatory realities . Furthermore, this individual will collaborate directly with implementation and sales teams to support client onboarding, product positioning, and clinical alignment during the commercial cycle.
- Represent real-world outpatient eye care delivery models, clinical workflows, and operational practices (including technician workups, diagnostic testing, surgical planning and follow up, subspecialty care, and optical clinic flow and inventory management)
- Translate ophthalmic regulatory guidelines, structured documentation standards, device integration requirements (e.g., DICOM, OCT, fundus cameras, visual field analyzers), and clinical trials data flow into clear, actionable guidance for product and engineering teams .
- Serve as a trusted specialty advisor during product discovery, validation, and prioritization activities.
- Engage ophthalmologists, optometrists, ophthalmic technicians, practice administrators, and optical staff through site visits, workshops, discovery sessions, and virtual engagements
- Support cross-functional alignment by clearly communicating specialty requirements to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Lead specialty-focused discussions and address workflow, compliance, and operational considerations with internal and external stakeholders.
- Travel to customer and partner sites as needed to support field engagement and product discovery.
- Perform other duties that support the overall objective of the position.
Education Required
- Required: Clinical degree and active or prior clinical licensure/certification in an eye care profession (e.g., Doctor of Optometry [OD], Doctor of Medicine [MD] or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine [DO] specializing in Ophthalmology, Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist [COMT], Certified Ophthalmic Technician [COT], RN, or equivalent clinical credential).
- Preferred: Master's degree in healthcare, clinical informatics, healthcare administration, public health, business, or a related field.
Note: Or any combination of education and experience which would provide the required qualifications.
Experience Required
- Minimum of 8-10 years of direct clinical, care delivery, or practice operations experience within an outpatient ophthalmology or optometry setting required
- Demonstrated deep understanding of the unique clinical workflows and documentation needs across one or more ophthalmic subspecialties (e.g., Retina, Oculoplastics, Glaucoma, Cornea, Pediatrics);Experience using ambulatory EHR systems in active clinical or operational workflows required.Experience engaging directly with providers, care teams, and operational leaders in real-world practice environments.
- Experience collaborating with or advising product, design, or technology teams in a healthcare environment is preferred.
- Experience using ophthalmic EHR/EMR platforms in active clinical or operational workflows is required.
License/Certification Required
Active or previously active clinical licensure/certification in an eye care discipline (e.g., OD, MD/DO, COMT, COT, or COA).
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
Knowledge Of:
- Specialty-specific eye care clinical workflows, including tech-led workups, pupil dilation timing, and physician-led diagnostic verification .
- Diagnostic equipment data capture and digital imaging integrations (e.g., OCT, Humphrey Visual Field, fundus photography, topography).
- Complexities of eye care revenue cycles, specifically the overlap and differences between vision plans (commercial vision insurance) and medical insurance plans .
- Healthcare documentation standards, ophthalmic regulatory reporting, and compliance requirements (e.g., MIPS, value-based care) .
Skill In:
- Communicating complex care delivery and operational concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Facilitating discussions, workshops, and feedback sessions with diverse stakeholder groups and environments.
- Translating specialty expertise into product requirements and design considerations.
- Influencing product decisions through domain credibility, expertise, and real-world insight.
Ability To:
- Establish trust and credibility with providers, care teams, and administrators.
- Engage and influence diverse stakeholder groups across various roles and environments.
- Adapt communication style to clinical, operational, technical, mission-driven, and complex settings.
- Work effectively in a cross-functional product environment.
- Travel may be required up to 25%.
The company has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the company reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the company may deem appropriate.
NextGen Healthcare is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
