Pediatric Optometrist

Nationwide Children's Hospital; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus seeks a compassionate Pediatric Optometrist to join a hospital-based outpatient clinic, collaborating with pediatric ophthalmologists and subspecialists to care for a diverse pediatric population with complex visual and medical needs.

The role emphasizes medically necessary contact lenses, school-based vision centers, and research initiatives; includes patient education and participation in interdisciplinary conferences.

Qualifications

• OD degree from an accredited school.
• Eligibility for Ohio optometry licensure.
• Experience or strong interest in pediatric optometry.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to thrive in a collaborative, team‑oriented environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive pediatric eye exams for infants, children, adolescents.
• Diagnose and manage refractive, binocular vision, and ocular health conditions.
• Collaborate with pediatric ophthalmologists in a co‑managed OD/MD setting.
• Fit and manage medically necessary contact lenses (keratoconus, aphakia, irregular corneas, myopia management, scleral lenses).
• Participate in school‑based vision centers and community outreach.
• Contribute to patient care conferences and educational initiatives.
• Engage in clinical research opportunities and quality improvement projects.
• Educate patients and families about diagnosis, treatment plans and preventive eye care.

Skills

Pediatric optometry

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Doctor of Optometry (OD)

Job description

Overview

We are seeking a compassionate, motivated, and clinically driven Pediatric Optometrist to join our fast‑paced, dynamic, innovative practice within a hospital‑based outpatient clinic. This position offers the opportunity to work collaboratively with pediatric ophthalmologists, subspecialists, and other healthcare professionals while caring for a diverse pediatric population with complex visual and medical needs. The ideal candidate is passionate about pediatric eye care, medically necessary contact lenses, community outreach, and advancing access to vision services through innovative programs including school‑based vision centers and clinical research initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive pediatric eye examinations for infants, children, and adolescents
• Diagnose and manage refractive, binocular vision, and ocular health conditions
• Collaborate closely with pediatric ophthalmologists in a co‑managed OD/MD clinical environment
• Fit and manage specialty medically necessary contact lenses, including:
• Keratoconus
• Aphakia
• Irregular corneas
• Myopia management
• Scleral lenses
• Participate in hospital‑affiliated school‑based vision center programs and community outreach initiatives
• Contribute to interdisciplinary patient care conferences and educational initiatives
• Participate in clinical research opportunities and quality improvement projects
• Educate patients and families regarding diagnosis, treatment plans, and preventative eye care

Qualifications

Required

• Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree from an accredited institution
• Eligibility for state optometry licensure
• Experience or strong interest in pediatric optometry
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to thrive in a collaborative, team‑oriented environment

Preferred

• Residency training in Pediatric Optometry, Ocular Disease, or related specialty
• Experience in medically necessary contact lens fitting
• Experience working within an OD/MD model
• Interest in research, teaching, or community outreach
• Experience with underserved or medically complex pediatric populations

What We Offer

• Collaborative hospital‑based practice environment
• Exposure to complex pediatric and medically‑based eye care
• Established referral network and multidisciplinary support
• Opportunities for research participation and academic collaboration
• Involvement in innovative school‑based vision programs
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package
• Continuing education and professional development support

Why Join Nationwide Children’s Hospital

• Consistently ranked among America’s top pediatric hospitals by U.S. News & World Report
• One of the nation’s largest freestanding pediatric healthcare systems
• Nationally recognized for excellence in pediatric subspecialty care, research, education, and advocacy
• Robust clinical research infrastructure with opportunities to participate in investigator‑initiated and multidisciplinary research
• Leader in community outreach and health equity initiatives, including innovative school‑based vision and healthcare programs
• State‑of‑the‑art outpatient and specialty care facilities designed to support multidisciplinary pediatric care
• Strong culture of collaboration, mentorship, innovation, and physician engagement
• Competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and support for continuing medical education and professional growth
• Located in Columbus, one of the fastest‑growing and most family‑friendly metropolitan areas in the United States

Job Description

Essential Functions:

• Conduct eye exams to diagnose vision problems and eye diseases.
• Prescribe eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other vision aids to correct or manage vision issues.
• Monitor and manage treatment plans for patients with eye conditions such as glaucoma or cataracts.
• Refer patients to other healthcare professionals as needed for further evaluation or treatment.
• Maintain accurate and detailed patient records.
• Stay up‑to‑date with advancements in the field of optometry and incorporate new techniques and technologies into practice.

Education Requirement

Doctor of Optometry from an Accredited School of Optometry, required.

Licensure Requirement

License to practice Optometry in the State of Ohio, required.

Physical Requirements

Occasionally: Bend/twist, Blood and/or Bodily Fluids, Chemicals/Medications, Communicable Diseases and/or Pathogens, Flexing/extending of neck, Fume/Gases/Vapors, Lifting/Carrying: 0‑10 lbs, Lifting/Carrying: 11‑20 lbs, Lifting/Carrying: 21‑40 lbs, Loud Noises, Patient Equipment, Pushing/Pulling: 0‑25 lbs, Reaching above shoulder, Squat/kneel.

Frequently: Computer skills, Hand use: grasping, gripping, turning, Repetitive hand/arm use, Sitting, Standing, Walking.

Continuously: Audible speech, Color vision, Decision Making, Depth perception, Hearing acuity, Interpreting Data, Peripheral vision, Problem solving, Seeing – Far/near.

Additional Physical Requirements Performed But Not Listed Above

Must be able to move or reposition patients of any weight or size with the assistance of another person(s) and/or equipment.

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

EOE M/F/Disability/Vet