Community Eye Clinic Assistant – Part-time, Contract

Wabano Centre; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 22,000 - 26,000; Part time

Job summary

The Wabano Eye Clinic, operating at the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health in Ottawa, is seeking a Community Eye Clinic Assistant to support eye care access for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. This role emphasizes organization, problem-solving, and community-minded service.

You will be part of a team of optometrists, learners, volunteers, and partners, helping patients move from appointment to eyewear while maintaining privacy and compassionate care.

Qualifications

• Willingness to learn; training provided for patient support and clinic operations.
• Experience in clinics or community programs is a plus but not required.
• Knowledge of Indigenous communities in the Ottawa region is valued.

Responsibilities

• Welcome patients and create a respectful clinic experience.
• Coordinate appointments, reminders, and follow-up care.
• Help patients navigate services and the eyewear process.
• Assist with preparation, tracking, and distribution of eyeglasses with our partner.
• Maintain records and support clinic administration while protecting privacy.
• Prepare clinic spaces and assist the clinical team as training allows.
• Collaborate with staff and partners to support continuity of care.
• Support community outreach when needed.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Detail-oriented

Organized

Indigenous community knowledge

Customer service

Job description

Community Eye Clinic Assistant – Part-time, Contract

Community Eye Clinic Assistant

Etuaptmumk Eye Care is seeking a community-minded person to help the Wabano Eye Clinic at the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health make comprehensive eye care and eyewear delivered through publicly funded programs accessible to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people in the Ottawa region.

If you are the right person for this role, you are Indigenous, you understand how to stay organized, like to problem-solve, and can prioritize things on a real-time basis.

The Role

As our Community Eye Clinic Assistant, you’ll often be one of the first people patients meet. You’ll be part of a team of optometrists, learners, volunteers, and community partners working to make eye care easier to access for Indigenous patients who may otherwise face barriers to receiving care. Your work will help patients move from appointment to eye examination to receiving eyewear and staying connected to the services they need. You will help us build a sustainable model of community-based eye care.

Responsibilities

• Welcome patients and help create a comfortable, respectful clinic experience;
• Coordinate appointments, reminders, patient communication, and follow-up care;
• Help patients navigate clinic services and the process of receiving their eyewear;
• Assist with the preparation, tracking, and distribution of eyeglasses with our optical partner;
• Maintain accurate records and support day-to-day clinic administration while protecting patient privacy;
• Prepare clinic spaces and assist the clinical team with approved activities as training allows;
• Work with Wabano staff and community partners to help patients with continuity of care;
• Support community outreach when needed.

Required Skills

You do not need an eye care background. We will provide training and mentorship in patient support as well as clinic operations and eye care. More than anything, we’re looking for someone community-minded who cares about people and follows through. Someone who is welcoming, dependable, and organized. In addition, we are looking for someone who:

• Communicates well, pays attention to details, and is comfortable learning new things and working as part of a team;
• Has experience in a clinic, community program, customer service, administration, or optical setting. This would be an asset, but not essential;
• Has knowledge of Indigenous communities in the Ottawa region. Lived or community experience is valued.
• $23 per hour.
• This is a part-time position with a 20-hour work week. The annual salary, based on the hours, will be $24,000. The weekly hours may increase as the Clinic grows. With that, the annual salary will increase in proportion.

First Nations, Inuit, or Métis candidates will be given priority; please self-identify.

Etuaptmumk Eye Care is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, including persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities.

Preference will be given to candidates of Indigenous ancestry (please self-identify in your application).

Etuaptmumk Eye Care is dedicated to providing employment accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. If contacted for an employment opportunity or interview, please let us know if you require accommodation.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Successful applicants will be required to provide a criminal reference check to work with a vulnerable population.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.All applications are reviewed by our hiring team;Wabano does not use artificial intelligence tools or artificial intelligence-enabled applicationsto screen or select candidates.