Academic Hourly Optometrist

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Urbana (IL); On-site; USD 91,000 - 121,000; Part time

Job summary

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is seeking an Academic Hourly Optometrist to provide comprehensive eye care to eligible students at McKinley Health Center. The role includes eye examinations, diagnosing vision problems, prescribing lenses, and offering guidance on eye health and preventive care.

Minimum qualifications include an OD degree with active licensure and experience with EHR systems. This hourly position starts as soon as possible after 10/1/2026, with an hourly rate of

Qualifications

• OD degree from an accredited optometry program and active state licensure.
• Experience with electronic health record (EHR) systems.
• Willing to work on an as-needed basis at McKinley Health Center.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive eye care and diagnose refractive errors.
• Prescribe eyeglasses, contact lenses, and manage ocular diseases.
• Educate patients on eye health and preventive care.
• Maintain patient records and ensure timely documentation.
• Collaborate with ophthalmology and health center staff.

Job description

Academic Hourly Optometrist

Optometry

Job Summary

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.

Duties & Responsibilities

• 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. This includes competency with computer applications that enhance individual patient care and the efficiency of the health center.
  • 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.

McKinley Health Center aims to provide high-quality ambulatory healthcare and health education to students and medical expertise to University leadership. The Center is also accredited through the Accreditation Associate for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). Employees at MHC are required to provide proof of certain immunizations according to recommendations from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) guidelines. To review the full policy, please click here - Immunizations.

Champaign-Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is not eligible for benefits.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or [e-mail].