Clinical Educator - Eye Services

Allina Health; Coon Rapids (MN); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental

PTO/Time Away

Retirement Savings Plans

Job summary

Allina Health in Minnesota is seeking a Clinical Instructor and Clinical Staff Educator to lead learning and development for ophthalmology and optometry services. You will conduct assessments, design training, deliver education, and coordinate pre- and post-operative care in a busy clinical setting.

The role involves performing preliminary ocular testing, vision screening, and assisting in in-office surgeries, with travel to clinics for staff training (approximately 75% at the trainee's home

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years of age with education and/or experience meeting competencies.
• 2+ years of experience as a COT or COMT or graduate of ophthalmic program.
• Preferred: high school diploma or GED.
• Preferred: 5+ years of ophthalmic experience.

Responsibilities

• Plans education and designs learning solutions.
• Delivers education and training to staff at Allina Health Eye Clinics; travel approx. 75% to trainee's home clinic.
• Performs patient preparation, assessments, and eye exams; assists with in-office procedures.
• Coordinates surgery scheduling, authorizations and referrals; maintains EMR records.
• Evaluates training effectiveness and provides ongoing departmental recommendations.

Skills

Clinical instruction

Ophthalmic testing

Education

Two-year ophthalmic program

High school diploma

5+ years ophthalmic experience

Job description

Location Address: 9055 Springbrook Dr NW Coon Rapids, MN 55433-5841 Date Posted: September 03, 2026 Department: 62833300 Ophthalmology and Optometry Shift: Day (United States of America) Shift Length: 8/12 combo shift Hours Per Week: 40 Union Contract: Non-Union-NCT Weekend Rotation: None

Job Summary

Allina Health is a not-for-profit health system that cares for individuals, families and communities throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. If you value putting patients first, consider a career at Allina Health. Our mission is to provide exceptional care as we prevent illness, restore health and provide comfort to all who entrust us with their care. This includes you and your loved ones. We are committed to providing whole person care, investing in your well-being, and enriching your career.

Key Position Details

1.0 FTE (80 hours per two-week pay period) 8/12 combo hours day shift No weekends

Job Description

Clinical Instructor and Clinical Staff Educator to carry out the full range of learning and development activities including assessment, planning, design, delivery, and consultation specific to the clinical setting. Assists in the care of the patient receiving ophthalmology and Optometry services by conducting preliminary ocular testing, vision screening, and preparing the patient for the exam and/or in-office surgery. Coordinates the care of the patient through referral, consultation, procedure scheduling, and postoperative visits.

Principle Responsibilities

• Plans education & designs learning solutions
• Designs the action plan for specific clinic staff training initiatives.
• Performs continuous assessment, prioritization, and revision of the plan as needed.
• Supports the implementation and communication of standard learning solutions.
• Designs learning solutions for the assigned initiatives.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of the solution and address those findings.
• Makes recommendations to the department manager around prioritization or change in tactical plans.
• Delivers education
• Delivers training to staff at all Allina Health Eye Clinics locations. Travel is required in this position Approx. 75% of training will occur at the trainee's home clinic.
• Applies adult learning principles in the classroom.
• Evaluates immediate learner response and act to mitigate issues.
• Supplies consultation, integrating knowledge and ability around related standards into learning solutions.
• Performs patient preparation, assessments, and eye exams.
• Collects patient medical, family, and ocular history.
• Performs preliminary and advanced testing as needed.
• Performs diagnostic ophthalmic procedures.
• Records all pertinent information in the electronic medical record.
• Provides surgical support.
• Assists with surgical in-office procedures and foreign body removals.
• Schedules surgeries and obtains prior authorizations and referrals.
• Conducts pre-surgery testing and patient education for surgical procedures.
• Department support.
• Provides patient contact lens insertion/removal training.
• Schedules surgery and peri-operative and post-operative visits.
• Answers phones and documents in the electronic medical record as needed.
• Orders and maintains ophthalmic supplies, medications, and diagnostic contact lens inventory.
• Cleans and sterilizes equipment.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Must be 18 years of age with education and/or experience needed to meet required functional competencies as listed on the job description
• 2+ years of experience working as a COT or COMT or graduate of ophthalmic program

Preferred Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED
• Graduate from two-year ophthalmic program
• 5+ years of experience working as a COT or COMT or graduate of ophthalmic program

Licenses/Certifications

• Certified Ophthalmic Technician - Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology iJCAPO required upon hire
• Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist - Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology iJCAPO preferred

Physical Demands

Sedentary: Lifting weight up to 10 lbs. occasionally, negligible weight frequently

Pay Range

Pay Range: $35.61 to $48.81 per hour The pay described reflects the base hiring pay range. Your starting rate would depend on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, your experience, education, and the union agreement (if applicable). Shift, weekend and/or other differentials may be available to increase your pay rate for certain shifts or work. Allina Health is committed to adhering with all applicable local, state and federal minimum wage requirements.

Benefit Summary

Allina Health believes the best way to provide safe and compassionate care for our patients is by nurturing the passion of those who care for them. That’s why we devote extraordinary resources to help you grow and thrive — not only as a professional but also as a whole person. When you join our team, you have access to a wealth of valuable employee benefits that support the total well-being — mind, body, spirit and community — of you and your family members. Allina Health is all in on your well-being. Because well-being means something different to everyone, our award-winning program provides you with the resources you need to help you navigate your personal journey. This includes well-being dollars, dedicated well-being navigators, and many programs, activities, articles, videos, personal coaching and tools to support you on your journey. We are focused on creating an inclusive workplace so everyone can see themselves as part of our care team. Our care teams are as diverse as the communities we serve and proud to be contributing to the mission of a leading health care organization. Our pioneering approach to well-being helps every member of our care team feel a deep sense of connection and joy in their work. Allina Health is a 501(c)(3) eligible employer *Benefit eligibility/offerings are determined by FTE and if you are represented by a union. People at Allina Health have a career of making a difference in the lives of the millions of patients we see each year at our 90+ clinics, 12 hospitals and through a wide variety of specialty care services in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. We’re a not-for-profit organization committed to enriching your career by providing ongoing training, competitive compensation, support for work-life balance and ways to give back to the communities we serve. Join our team of 27,000+ employees – your career opportunities are limitless! Benefits include:

• Medical/Dental
• PTO/Time Away
• Retirement Savings Plans
• Life Insurance
• Short-term/Long-term Disability
• Voluntary Benefits (vision, legal, critical illness)
• Tuition Reimbursement or Continuing Medical Education as applicable
• Student Loan Support Benefits to navigate the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Diversity

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere for our employees, patients, and community. Allina Health is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, and will make employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. Allina Health is an E-Verify Employer Allina Health complies with federal requirements to verify the employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. Allina Health is an E-Verify employer. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to records available from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to confirm work authorization. An E-Verify case must be created no later than the third business day after the employee starts work for pay. All Forms I-9 must be completed and received by the Office of Human Resources accordingly. For more information, link to: Right to Work Poster (e-verify.gov) E-Verify Participation Poster English and Spanish.