Optical Lab Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Job
Job Summary
The Regional Optician at Unicare will oversee optical operations across multiple sites in Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. The role combines hands-on expertise in eyeglass and contact lens dispensing with regional leadership responsibilities, including staff training, inventory management, and vendor coordination. The Optician will mentor Medical Assistants, ensure precise optical measurements, supervise frame adjustments and repairs, and maintain strong relationships with labs and vendors. Travel between locations is required to provide on-site support and ensure consistent, high-quality patient care.
Duties/Responsibilities:
Manage and mentor a staff of 3-6 Medical Assistants across regional locations.
Lead hands- on training for the dispensing of eyeglasses and contact lenses, ensuring all staff, providing accurate measurements and high-quality patient education.
Oversee the full lifecycle of optical orders, including interpreting complex prescriptions, taking precise facial measurements (pupillary distance, vertex, etc..), and performing expert frame adjustments and repairs.
Act as the primary point of contact for optical laboratories and frame/equipment vendors. Manage wholesale pricing, track turnaround times, and ensure consistent quality standards from lab partners.
Manage wholesale pricing, track turnaround times, and ensure consistent quality standards from lab partners.
Manage regional frame and contact lens inventory. Responsible for ordering new stock, coordinating with vendors for frame board management, and maintaining diverse, high-quality product selections.
Travel between designated sites as needed to provide on-site supervision, training, and troubleshooting for optical departments.
Non-Essential Functions
§ As directed by the Director of Optometry, performs other related and/or necessary tasks to achieve organizational and programmatic goals and objectives.
Professional Requirements
Adhere to dress code, appearance is neat and clean.
Maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
Report to work on time and as scheduled.
Maintain regulatory requirements, including all state, federal and local regulations.
Represent the organization in a positive and professional manner at all times.
Comply with all organizational policies and standards regarding ethical business practices.
Promote the mission, ethics and goals of the organization.
Participate in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement activities.
Must have reliable transportation.
This position requires flexibility to orient and work at other Unicare Community Health Center optometry locations when needed.
Qualifications
Active Optician License in good standing (including dispensing and contact lens certification as required by state of California) preferred or equivalent experience.
5 + years of experience as an Optician, including high volume dispensing and lab coordination preferred.
Minimum of 1 year experience in healthcare office, or healthcare setting preferred.
Medical Assistant certification is not required, but preferred.
BLS certification required.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
In-depth understanding of optical principles, lens materials, coatings, and specialized eyewear.
Knowledge of optical measurement, including pupillary distance (PD), vertex distance, and frame fitting techniques.
Familiarity with optical lab processes, turnaround times, and quality control standards.
Understanding of inventory management practices and vendor coordination.
Proficiency in using optical equipment such as lensometers, pupilometers, and calipers.
Strong training and instructional skills, with the ability to teach technical concepts clearly.
Effective communication and interpersonal skills for patient interaction and team collaboration.
Organizational and multitasking skills to manage operations across multiple locations.
Problem-solving skills for troubleshooting optical issues, orders, and staff challenges.
Ability to lead, mentor, and develop staff with varying levels of experience.
Ability to travel between regionals locations as needed.
Ability to maintain high standards of accuracy and quality in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to build and maintain professional relationships with vendors, labs, and clinical teams.
Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities across sites.
Physical Requirements and Environmental Conditions
Pushing and pulling objects up to 25 lbs.
Frequent wrist, hand and finger dexterity to perform fine motor function without tremor.
Full range of body motion including twisting body, pushing, and pulling.
Position requires light to moderate work with 25 lb. maximum weight to lift and carry.
Position requires reaching, sitting down for long periods of time, walking, bending, stooping, and handling objects with hands and/or fingers, talking and/or hearing, and seeing.
Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Working Conditions
Non-Ionizing Radiation (microwaves, sun)
Hazardous Exposure (chemical [E.G. Latex] and infectious)
Work Schedule
You will generally be scheduled to work each day Monday through Friday, with starting times each day varying between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and ending time between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., as required to meet the operational needs of the company. There will be occasional Saturdays as needed.
You will need to travel to other clinic locations as needed for cross coverage support.
Our Mission
The mission of Unicare is to be a community health care organization that treats everyone with dignity, respect and cultural sensitivity to help create an environment in which all can prosper.