How to Hire an Optometrist

Why hire an optometrist?

An expert optometrist examines patients and treats eye-related diseases. They diagnose eye problems and develop detailed treatment plans to improve the patient’s visual system. A great optometrist can: 

• Examine patients through routine eye checkups and treat eye-related disorders and acute conditions
• Educate patients by properly counseling them on eye health and contact lenses
• Provide preoperative and postoperative care to patients

Deciding between a full-time vs freelance optometrist

Health care facilities can hire freelance optometrists to take care of patients whom the staff wouldn’t be able to care for otherwise. This can be because the facility’s full-time optometrist is taking time off or because there’s a sudden influx of patients who require optometrists. 

Health care facilities and clinics can also maintain a working relationship with a freelance optometrist to take on eye-related health care if they don’t have a full-time optometrist on staff. 

Many large hospitals and optometry offices employ full-time optometrists if there’s enough regular optometry work to justify the hire. 

What are the types of optometrists?

There are a few specialties in the industry of eye-related health care. These positions include:

• Optometrist: Optometrists are eye doctors who are responsible for diagnosing and prescribing treatments for various eye ailments. They can also examine patients’ eyes to prescribe eyeglasses and contacts. Optometrists are licensed to perform minor procedures, prescribe medications and provide eye health care before and after surgery. 
• Ophthalmologist: Ophthalmologists perform many of the same duties as optometrists, but they have the additional regular responsibility of performing eye surgery and laser procedures. They can also help patients prevent eye illnesses and injuries. 
• Optician: Although they work in the health care industry, opticians aren’t medical doctors. They typically train under an eye doctor, and some complete two-year degrees in opticianry. Opticians are responsible for creating and dispensing eyeglasses and contact lenses. They can also perform adjustments and repairs for clients’ current glasses. 

Where to find optometrists

To find the right optometrist for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies: 

• Ask local optometry schools. Make contact with optometry schools in the area to get information about promising recent graduates who are looking for work.
• Search online. Both freelance and full-time optometrists may be advertising their services online. Reach out to determine if they’re interested in your job. 
• Contact other health care facilities. Ask other hospitals or clinics in the city if they have any leads regarding optometrists searching for jobs. 
• Post help wanted signs. Hanging help wanted signs about the job can let the community know about it and bring in quality candidates. 
• Post your job online. Try posting your optometrist job on Indeed to find and attract quality optometrist candidates.

What are the types of optometrists?

There are a few specialties in the industry of eye-related health care. These positions include:

• Optometrist: Optometrists are eye doctors who are responsible for diagnosing and prescribing treatments for various eye ailments. They can also examine patients’ eyes to prescribe eyeglasses and contacts. Optometrists are licensed to perform minor procedures, prescribe medications and provide eye health care before and after surgery. 
• Ophthalmologist: Ophthalmologists perform many of the same duties as optometrists, but they have the additional regular responsibility of performing eye surgery and laser procedures. They can also help patients prevent eye illnesses and injuries. 
• Optician: Although they work in the health care industry, opticians aren’t medical doctors. They typically train under an eye doctor, and some complete two-year degrees in opticianry. Opticians are responsible for creating and dispensing eyeglasses and contact lenses. They can also perform adjustments and repairs for clients’ current glasses. 

Writing an optometrist job description

A thoughtful description is important to finding qualified optometrist candidates. An optometrist job description includes a compelling summary of the role, a detailed list of duties and responsibilities and the required and preferred skills for the position.

When writing your optometrist job description, consider including some or all of the following keywords to improve the visibility of your job posting. These are the most popular search terms leading to clicks on optometrist jobs, according to Indeed data:

• Optometrist
• Optometry
• Optical
• Eye care
• Receptionist
• Costco
• Medical 
• Health care
• Hiring immediately
• Optometrists

Interviewing optometrist candidates

You should hire an optometrist after thoroughly testing their knowledge and experience in treating eye patients. A strong candidate will be confident answering questions regarding: 

• Knowledge of routine and detailed eye examinations
• Proficiency in diagnosing and treating different eye-related ailments
• How they’ve ensured proper preoperative and postoperative treatment plans

Need help coming up with interview questions? See our list of optometrist interview questions for examples (with sample answers).