Ophthalmic Provider

Mercy Ships is an international charity that brings hope and healing to the world’s forgotten poor through state-of-the-art hospital ships. Since 1978, our volunteer crew—made up of medical professionals and skilled workers from over 60 nations—has delivered free surgeries and medical care to over 2.8 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa, transforming lives one patient and one port at a time. Join our global team of over 3,000 volunteers and help us change lives daily.

About this role

Our Ophthalmic Providers are the clinical lead within the Ophthalmic Clinic. They provide direct patient care, including but not limited to surgical selection, ophthalmic medical review and treatment of ophthalmic medical conditions in collaboration with Ophthalmic Surgeons. They are responsible for providing clinical supervision and oversight of the pre- and post-operative care of ophthalmic patients, with a specific focus on IOL calculations. Responsible for ensuring high quality care is provided to patients, through compliance with Ophthalmic Program criteria and reporting of actual or potential clinical issues.

What you will contribute

• Provide clinical leadership and oversight within the Ophthalmic Clinic
• Work closely with the Ophthalmic Clinical Team Coordinator, supporting them in leadership and administrative tasks as needed to ensure the smooth daily running of the Ophthalmic Clinic
• Evaluate visual and ocular health status of prospective surgery patients (adult and pediatric) in order to clear them for cataract, strabismus, or pterygium surgery
• Assist the Ophthalmic Surgeon in the assessment of general anaesthesia and pediatric patients on Surgeon Consult Day
• Treat ocular infections, inflammations and injuries and refer more serious pathology to the Ophthalmic Surgeon. If no Ophthalmic Surgeon is onboard, consult with the Ophthalmic Team Manager, Ophthalmic Program Manager and Ophthalmic Specialty Consultant to formulate a management plan
• Perform post-operative assessment on surgical patients, treat any minor complications and refer more serious complications back to the Ophthalmic Surgeon
• Perform and direct refractive evaluations in order to prescribe glasses to non-surgical and post-surgical patients
• Work closely and collaboratively with the Ophthalmic Clinical Technician, allowing them to work to the extent of their scope of practice. Clinical flow may need to adjust depending on the limits of their scope of practice
• Provide evaluation of refractive and ocular health status of crew and Day Crew (adult and pediatric), and recommend appropriate corrective measures

For This Role, You Will Need

• Our ideal candidate is a licensed therapeutic Optometrist with significant Ophthalmic experience including co-management of post-surgical patients
• Minimum 2 years of clinical experience required, however applicants may apply after 1 year of experience to be considered for future service
• May also be an excellent role for non-surgical Ophthalmologist with previous Ophthalmic clinical experience
• Flexibility and sensitivity to language & cultural diversity; to be adaptable and comfortable with patient contact
• Fluency in English

The experience of a lifetime is calling.

More than 1,200 volunteers from over 60 nations serve with Mercy Ships each year.

At Mercy Ships, we are proud to be recognized around the world for the life-changing surgeries and training we deliver. We could not achieve this without our dedicated community of talented volunteers.

Imagine finishing your shift and stepping onto deck as the sun sets—knowing that today you’ve helped transform the lives of those who need it most. Apply now to start a journey that will reshape the lives of those you serve — and your own.