Optometrist

Wills Eye Hospital; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 65,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia seeks an optometrist to join the School Based Vision Program, delivering eye care to students in grades K–8 within Philadelphia public schools. You will perform comprehensive exams, prescribe glasses, and coordinate referrals as needed.

The role involves travel among schools during the school year, typically 1–3 days per week, with per diem scheduling and hours around 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. A PA license and pediatric care interest are essential.

Qualifications

• Doctor of Optometry degree from an accredited school.
• Current and unrestricted license to practice optometry in Pennsylvania.
• Strong clinical judgment and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, organizational, and documentation skills.
• Ability to travel among participating schools throughout Philadelphia.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive eye examinations for students in grades K through 8 who do not pass an initial vision screening.
• Evaluate visual acuity, refractive error, ocular alignment, binocular vision, color vision, depth perception, and overall eye health.
• Perform refraction and other appropriate clinical assessments in accordance with program protocols.
• Prescribe eyeglasses and support students in selecting appropriately fitting frames.
• Identify children with amblyopia, strabismus, ocular disease, or other findings requiring additional evaluation or treatment.
• Coordinate referrals to pediatric ophthalmology services at Wills Eye Hospital or another appropriate provider when more advanced care is indicated.
• Clearly document examination findings, prescriptions, recommendations, and referrals.
• Communicate examination results and follow up recommendations with parents, guardians, school nurses, and program staff as appropriate.
• Collaborate with school nurses, educators, administrators, opticians, technicians, and other Wills Eye Hospital team members.
• Help create a welcoming and reassuring clinical environment for children of varying ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with applicable Wills Eye Hospital, HIPAA, FERPA, and school district requirements.
• Travel to participating schools throughout Philadelphia based on the program schedule.

Skills

Clinical assessment

Communication skills

Travel to schools

Education

Doctor of Optometry degree

Job description

Optometrist, School Based Vision Program

Wills Eye Hospital

Philadelphia, PA

Per Diem | 1 to 3 Days Per Week | Approximately 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Working at Wills Eye

Established in 1832 and world-renowned for excellence in patient care, Wills Eye Hospital is a global leader in ophthalmology with more nationally ranked ophthalmologists than any hospital in the U.S. We offer exceptional employment opportunities and a culture dedicated to our mission of skill with compassion.

About the Opportunity

Wills Eye Hospital is seeking a compassionate and clinically skilled Optometrist to join our Vision Screening Program for Children, providing eye care to students in kindergarten through eighth grade throughout Philadelphia public schools. This unique opportunity allows an optometrist to bring high quality eye care directly into the school setting, helping identify and address vision concerns that can impact a child’s health, development, and ability to succeed in the classroom. Working alongside school personnel and members of the Wills Eye team, the Optometrist will conduct comprehensive eye examinations, prescribe eyeglasses, identify students who require additional evaluation, and coordinate referrals to pediatric ophthalmology services when more advanced care is needed. This position is well suited for an optometrist who enjoys working with children, values community based care, and is interested in helping expand access to essential vision services throughout Philadelphia.

The Wills Eye Vision Screening Program for Children provides vision screenings, eye examinations, eyeglasses, and referrals to children throughout Philadelphia. By bringing these services directly into schools, the program helps reduce barriers to care and ensures that children with vision concerns are connected with the services they need. For an optometrist interested in combining clinical practice with meaningful community impact, this role offers an opportunity to help children see more clearly, participate more fully in the classroom, and access the exceptional ophthalmic resources available through Wills Eye Hospital.

Schedule

This is a per diem opportunity, generally supporting the program 1 to 3 days per week during the school year, with typical hours of approximately 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The position requires travel among participating Philadelphia schools.

Core Responsibilities

• Conduct eye examinations for students in grades K through 8 who do not pass an initial vision screening.
• Evaluate visual acuity, refractive error, ocular alignment, binocular vision, color vision, depth perception, and overall eye health.
• Perform refraction and other appropriate clinical assessments in accordance with program protocols.
• Prescribe eyeglasses and support students in selecting appropriately fitting frames.
• Identify children with amblyopia, strabismus, ocular disease, or other findings requiring additional evaluation or treatment.
• Coordinate referrals to pediatric ophthalmology services at Wills Eye Hospital or another appropriate provider when more advanced care is indicated.
• Clearly document examination findings, prescriptions, recommendations, and referrals.
• Communicate examination results and follow up recommendations with parents, guardians, school nurses, and program staff as appropriate.
• Collaborate with school nurses, educators, administrators, opticians, technicians, and other Wills Eye Hospital team members.
• Help create a welcoming and reassuring clinical environment for children of varying ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with applicable Wills Eye Hospital, HIPAA, FERPA, and school district requirements.
• Travel to participating schools throughout Philadelphia based on the program schedule.

Required Qualifications

• Doctor of Optometry degree from an accredited school or college of optometry.
• Current and unrestricted license to practice optometry in Pennsylvania.
• Strong clinical judgment and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, organizational, and documentation skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability and willingness to travel among participating schools throughout Philadelphia.
• Ability to complete all required Pennsylvania and School District of Philadelphia background clearances.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience providing optometric care to children.
• Experience working in schools, community health programs, mobile clinical settings, or underserved communities.
• Knowledge of pediatric refractive conditions, amblyopia, strabismus, and binocular vision disorders.
• Experience collaborating with pediatric ophthalmologists, educators, school nurses, and families.
• Bilingual or multilingual communication skills are a plus.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Wills Eye Hospital is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, or veteran status.