Academic Hourly Optometrist

Academic Hourly Optometrist

Responsible for providing comprehensive eye and vision care to eligible students at the University of Illinois. Includes performing eye examinations, diagnosing vision problems and ocular diseases, prescribing corrective lenses, and offering guidance on eye health and preventive care.

Clinical Care & Patient Management

• Take patient histories addressing chief complaints and other concerns.
• Diagnose refractive vision conditions (nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, presbyopia).
• Detect and manage ocular diseases (glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy).
• Prescribe eyeglasses, contact lenses, and specialty lenses.
• Prescribe, administer, and dispense prescription and nonprescription medications and medical devices.
• Follow up with patients to review lab test results and progress in an appropriate and timely manner.
• Ensure care is effective with positive outcomes and patient satisfaction.
• Complete visit documentation in a timely manner according to policy.
• Maintain records and adhere to Health Center policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate competency with diagnosis and procedure coding.
• Develop and maintain technical skills necessary to provide excellent and efficient patient care.
• Be efficient with time, patient volume, pharmaceuticals, and supplies.
• Maintain required Illinois licensure and registrations.

Patient Education, Communication & Access

• Educate patients on eye health, preventive care, and corrective lens use.
• Ensure that patients receive adequate education to effectively participate in their diagnostic and therapeutic plan, and that they understand and assent to that plan and understand other appropriate alternatives.
• Educate patients on general health promotion and disease prevention.
• Provide patient access by staffing clinics and special events.
• Treat patients, staff, and colleagues with courtesy and respect.

Collaboration & Professional Participation

• Make referrals to other providers as appropriate to facilitate treatment plan (e.g. referrals to emergency department, primary care, ophthalmology).
• Collaborate with ophthalmologists, technicians, optical staff, and the broader health care team.
• Collaborate with and/or supervise mid level providers as assigned.
• Utilize team members appropriately based on licensure and skill level.
• Attend and participate in McKinley and campus committees.
• Participate in university and health center promotional materials and events.
• Actively participate in quality improvement, risk management, and peer review programs.
• Stay informed of the newest developments in medicine by attending educational conferences, literature reviews, and consulting with other medical personnel.
• Assume related clinical duties that support the mission of the unit.

Work Schedule, Travel, or Other Job Expectations

This position is on an as-needed basis when McKinley Health Center's staff Optometrist is unavailable.

Minimum Qualifications

• Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree from an accredited optometry program.
• Active state licensure to practice optometry at the time of hiring.
• Experience with electronic health record (EHR) systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three (3) years of optometry practice.
• Specialized training in pediatrics, low vision, or contact lens fitting.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong diagnostic and clinical assessment skills.
• Excellent provider-patient communication skills.
• Attention to detail and commitment to high-quality patient care.
• Ability to work both independently and within a team environment.

Appointment Information

This is an Academic Hourly position, as needed. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 10/1/2026. Hourly rate is $76.9231 per hour. Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.