Ophthalmology Pod Coordinator — Retina Operations

UPMC; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

UPMC Mercy Retina Services is seeking an Ophthalmology POD Coordinator to support the daily operations of a busy Retina clinic at 1622 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA. This daylight role (Mon–Fri, 7:00 AM–5:30 PM with flexible shifts) partners with a second POD Coordinator to ensure exceptional patient experiences and seamless workflow, with no weekend requirements.

You will lead daily huddles, optimize patient flow, coordinate imaging, tests, and rooming, and collaborate with doctors and staff to

Responsibilities

• Use IPROC home, MPS, and daily testing orders reports to inform their clinic flow within the assigned pod.
• Decide if same-day add on testing can be accommodated (considering all others in the clinic).
• Lead the daily huddles with doctors, and all assigned clinical staff: techs, imagers, scribes etc. This daily task will ensure the entire team has a plan for each day on how patients will be roomed, transported, tested to ensure no wait.
• Partners and guides providers on workflow plans and issues. Keeps providers and staff on task to a no wait workflow. Authority to guide providers if running behind, and will expedite non-compliance/physician behavior, that is not compliant with the no wait protocols to next level of management.
• Communication responsibilities. If patients wait time exceeds 10 minutes in any segment once brought back to the pod, the pod manager will communicate the reason for delay to the patient, and address any bottlenecks to the best of their ability.
• Unassigned Imagers. Responsible to ensure Imagers are not assigned to a provider, but only image patients within their pod. Note: There may be few exceptions when patients must travel outside of their pod for specific imaging equipment.
• Responsible to Cross-train Staff. All techs and imagers will be cross trained for ophthalmic work up and all testing. Any tech/imagers can provide any/all services for any patient presenting to the clinic.
• Testing-Only Patients. Testing only patients will be scheduled as usual. Pods cannot currently be dedicated to testing only patients (across subspecialties) because of imaging equipment limitations.
• Pod Assignments Support working up and imaging patients when needed Ensure that all imaging and lane equipment within the assigned POD is utilized, inspected/updated and cleared according to regulations.

Job description

Join UPMC Mercy Retina Services as an Ophthalmology POD Coordinator and play a key role in supporting the daily operations of a busy specialty practice located at 1622 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. This position works collaboratively with a second POD Coordinator to ensure efficient clinic operations, exceptional patient experiences, and seamless support for providers and staff within the Retina Service. Responsibilities include coordinating patient flow, optimizing scheduling and resource utilization, supporting operational initiatives, monitoring workflows, and serving as a liaison between clinical and administrative teams. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and thrives in a fast-paced healthcare environment while maintaining a strong focus on patient-centered service and team collaboration. This is a daylight position working Monday through Friday with varying shifts between 7:00 AM and 5:30 PM based on clinic needs, with no weekends required. This is an excellent opportunity for an individual looking to contribute to a dynamic ophthalmology team dedicated to delivering outstanding retinal care.

Responsibilities:

• Use IPROC home, MPS, and daily testing orders reports to inform their clinic flow within the assigned pod.
• Decide if same-day add on testing can be accommodated (considering all others in the clinic).
• Lead the daily huddles with doctors, and all assigned clinical staff: techs, imagers, scribes etc. This daily task will ensure the entire team has a plan for each day on how patients will be roomed, transported, tested to ensure no wait.
• Partners and guides providers on workflow plans and issues. Keeps providers and staff on task to a no wait workflow. Authority to guide providers if running behind, and will escalate non-compliance/physician behavior, that is not compliant with the no wait protocols to next level of management.
• Communication responsibilities. If patients wait time exceeds 10 minutes in any segment once brought back to the pod, the pod manager will communicate the reason for delay to the patient, and address any bottlenecks to the best of their ability.
• Unassigned Imagers. Responsible to ensure Imagers are not assigned to a provider, but only image patients within their pod. Note: There may be few exceptions when patients must travel outside of their pod for specific imaging equipment.
• Responsible to Cross-train Staff. All techs and imagers will be cross trained for ophthalmic work up and all testing. Any tech/imagers can provider any/all services for any patient presenting to the clinic.
• Testing-Only Patients. Testing only patients will be scheduled as usual. Pods cannot currently be dedicated to testing only patients (across subspecialties) because of imaging equipment limitations.
• Pod Assignments Support working up and imaging patients when needed Ensure that all imaging and lane equipment within the assigned POD is utilized, inspected/updated and cleared according to regulations.