At a Glance: Hiring a Medical Optometrist
A medically oriented optometrist can help improve patient access, provide ongoing medical eye care, and give ophthalmologists more availability for surgery and complex cases. This guide explains what a medical OD can bring to your practice, what to look for in candidates, and how to build a position that works well for the doctor, your team, and your patients.
Is It Time for Your Practice to Hire a Medical Optometrist?
When appointments are booked weeks ahead and your ophthalmologists are trying to balance surgery with busy clinics and lengthy patient backlogs, it’s worth asking: Would an experienced, medically oriented optometrist help us care for our patients better?
For many ophthalmology practices, the answer is yes. The right OD can bring strong clinical judgment, thoughtful patient education, and ongoing care for patients who need regular monitoring. That contribution can also give ophthalmologists more availability for surgery, consultations, and complex cases.
Since 2009, OjO has helped ophthalmology practices nationwide recruit experienced and residency-trained optometrists. We’ve learned that a successful search starts with understanding the work you need this doctor to do—and creating an opportunity in which they can contribute, grow, and feel valued.
Why Demand to Hire Medical Optometrists Is Rising
Ophthalmology workforce projections published in Ophthalmology (2023)
Between 2020 and 2035, ophthalmologist supply is projected to decline by 12%, while demand is projected to rise by 24%, measured in full-time equivalents (FTEs). By 2035, the available ophthalmology workforce is projected to meet only 70% of demand—a 30% shortfall. And although hundreds of new ophthalmologists enter practice each year, retirements, limited residency growth, and rising patient demand are widening the gap.
Medically oriented optometrists can help practices respond to the shortfall of available ophthalmologists. Depending on their training, experience, and state scope of practice, they can manage a range of medical eye conditions, provide ongoing disease monitoring, and deliver routine postoperative care. Working alongside ophthalmologists, they can improve patient access and give surgeons more availability for surgery and complex cases.
More Clinical Capacity and Better Patient Access
When your ophthalmologists’ schedules are full, consider which patients need their surgical or subspecialty expertise and which could be well cared for by a medically oriented optometrist.
An experienced medical OD can manage an appropriate mix of medical eye care, chronic disease monitoring, and routine postoperative visits. Sharing that care can help patients get appointments sooner while giving ophthalmologists more availability for surgical consultations, procedures, and challenging cases.
The benefit goes beyond adding appointments. Patients have another doctor they can turn to, and your physicians have a colleague with whom they can share the work of caring for them.
Patients Experience Continuity, Convenience, and Care
Patients don’t want fragmented care or multiple stops to manage a single condition. They want one practice, one team, and one story about their eyes.
With a medical optometrist on staff, your patients enjoy:
- Seamless follow-up after surgery
- Ongoing chronic disease management
- Faster access to care
- Familiar faces and unified communication
After surgery, patients often require multiple visits, reassurance, and education. A medical O.D. excels here—managing routine post-ops, identifying complications early, and freeing surgeons to continue operating. This consistency improves compliance, satisfaction, and trust—cornerstones of any thriving practice.
Postoperative Care Becomes Smoother, Faster, and More Patient-Friendly.
True Team-Based Care Becomes a Reality
When MDs and ODs work together with mutual respect, clear communication, and complementary goals, they can draw on each other’s experience and provide more coordinated care for patients.
This collaborative model:
- Reduces duplication of testing
- Improves clinical oversight and safety
- Creates more predictable workflows
- Elevates the entire patient experience
More Care in a Familiar Setting
When follow-up care is available within your practice, patients may have fewer trips to other offices and less need to repeat their history. They know where to call with questions, and their records are available to the doctors caring for them.
What to Look for in a Medical Optometrist
The best Medical O.D.s practice at the top of their license. High-performing candidates typically exhibit:
Proven Clinical Training
Either experience in an ophthalmology practice or residency training in ocular disease or medical optometry accelerates onboarding and supports autonomous medical decision-making. At the same time many employers we know allow standout new grad ODs to be considered for entry level roles.
Experience in Postoperative & Chronic Disease Care
Competence in glaucoma, cataract follow-ups, anterior segment disease, and therapeutic prescribing is essential.
Billing, EMR & Co-Management Proficiency
Familiarity with postop note templates, medical billing, and ophthalmology EMRs keeps documentation compliant and efficient.
State Scope-of-Practice Alignment
Each state differs. Know in advance whether your Medical O.D. can prescribe therapeutics, treat glaucoma, perform injections or lasers, or manage specific in-office procedures.
Communication & Patient Care Skills
Excellent Medical O.D.s educate patients well, enhance the surgeon’s brand, and drive positive online reputation and referrals.
Define the Position Before You Recruit
What will this doctor’s ordinary week look like?
Be ready to discuss:
- Patient care: Patient mix, appointment lengths, expected volume, and how the schedule will build during the first few months.
- Staff and equipment: Technicians, diagnostic equipment, exam space, and access to physician consultation.
- Schedule: Work locations, travel, working hours, PTO, and any evening or weekend expectations.
- Compensation: Salary, incentives, benefits, and how performance will be evaluated.
- Room to grow: Mentorship, support for clinical interests, and any leadership or ownership possibilities.
Specific answers help candidates picture themselves in your practice. They also help your team prepare for the new colleague.
Think beyond the immediate opening, too. What might this doctor’s work look like in three or five years? Give candidates an honest picture of what they could build with you.
Partnering with OjO Recruitment to Hire a Medical Optometrist
You know your practice—the patients you care for, the demands on your doctors, and the personalities that make up your team. Finding a medical optometrist who fits begins with understanding those details.
At OjO Recruitment, we take time to learn what you need and what you can offer a new colleague. We also get to know candidates beyond their résumés: the care they enjoy providing, how they work with others, and what they hope to find in their next position.
Our conversations with you include:
- Clinical experience: What should the doctor be comfortable managing when they arrive, and where could you provide mentorship?
- Day-to-day responsibilities: How would the OD’s schedule fit with your physicians, staff, and patient needs?
- Compensation: How does your offer compare with other positions candidates may be considering?
- Scope of practice: Do the proposed duties fit the doctor’s qualifications and your state’s requirements?
- Long-term fit: What would make this a good place for the doctor to stay and build their career?
Since 2009, we’ve helped practices and doctors work through these decisions. We’re glad to share what we’ve learned, talk through your questions, and help both sides get to know one another before making a commitment.
OjO doesn’t just help you hire. We help you hire well.
Ready to Hire a Medically Oriented O.D.?
If you’re considering adding a Medical Optometrist to your team, reach out to OjO for more information on our optometry recruitment services.
OjO Recruitment
Your national partner for Medical Optometrist hiring.
828.514.9419