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Lead Optometrist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Searhc

Clinic Supervisor - Optometry

Juneau, AK · On-site

$31.11 - $43.64/hr

Addresses patient and other consumer concerns; incorporates customer feedback into the development of clinic policies and procedures and planning; and coordinates with local Optometrist- Lead and ...

Eye Society

Optometrist

Chicago, IL

Required Skills We offer competitive compensation for Optometrist and can lead to a full time position. Please visit our website for more info: www.eyesoc.com

McFarland Eye Care

OPTOMETRIST

Hot Springs, AR · On-site

Join our cutting-edge Optometry practice, where the fusion of OD/MD expertise defines our ... Lead by example and inspire your team to excel. * Deliver an Exceptional Patient Experience ...

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Lead Optometrist information

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$65K

$124.2K

$185K

How much do lead optometrist jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead optometrist in the United States is $124,213.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $98,000.00 and $146,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Lead Optometrist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lead Optometrist, you need extensive clinical knowledge of ocular health, a Doctor of Optometry degree, state licensure, and experience in patient care and vision correction. Familiarity with diagnostic equipment such as autorefractors, OCT, EHR systems, and sometimes certifications in specialty areas like therapeutics are common. Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills are essential for managing a team and ensuring outstanding patient service. These competencies ensure accurate diagnoses, effective team management, and the delivery of high-quality eye care in a clinical setting.

What are Lead Optometrists?

Lead Optometrists are eye care professionals who not only perform eye exams and diagnose vision problems but also oversee the clinical operations of an optometry practice or department. They supervise other optometrists and staff, ensure compliance with healthcare regulations, and contribute to business decisions like staff training and workflow improvements. Their role combines clinical expertise with leadership responsibilities to maintain high standards of patient care and practice efficiency.

How does a Lead Optometrist typically balance clinical duties with management responsibilities?

As a Lead Optometrist, you will often split your time between providing direct patient care and overseeing the daily operations of the optometry team. This includes managing schedules, mentoring junior optometrists, ensuring compliance with clinical protocols, and occasionally handling administrative tasks such as inventory or budgeting. Effective time management and strong communication skills are essential, as you will need to coordinate across clinical staff, support personnel, and sometimes liaise with external vendors or upper management. This dual focus allows you to maintain your clinical skills while also developing leadership experience, which can be beneficial for future career advancement.

What is the difference between Lead Optometrist vs Optometrist?

AspectLead OptometristOptometrist
CredentialsDoctor of Optometry (OD) license, additional leadership trainingDoctor of Optometry (OD) license
Work EnvironmentClinics, eye care centers, supervisory rolesOptometry clinics, private practices, retail eyewear stores
Employer & Industry UsageOften employed in larger clinics or organizations with leadership responsibilitiesIndependent or group practices, retail chains
Common Search & ComparisonLeadership, management, overseeing staffPatient care, eye exams, vision correction

The main difference between a Lead Optometrist and an Optometrist is that the Lead Optometrist typically holds additional leadership responsibilities, overseeing staff and managing clinic operations, while the Optometrist primarily focuses on patient eye care and vision correction. Both roles require the Doctor of Optometry license, but the Lead Optometrist combines clinical expertise with managerial duties.

More about Lead Optometrist jobs
What cities are hiring for Lead Optometrist jobs? Cities with the most Lead Optometrist job openings:
What job categories do people searching Lead Optometrist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Lead Optometrist jobs are:
Lead Optometrist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lead Optometrist job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $124,213 per year, or $59.7 per hour.

Optometrist - Designated Education Officer

SD Department of Veterans Affairs

Chillicothe, OH • On-site

$140K/yr

Other

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

The Designated Education Officer located at Chillicothe VA Medical Center, Chillicothe, OH under the Chief of Staff. The Designated Education Officer (DEO), frequently known as the Associate Chief of Staff for Education (ACOS-E), is the designated VAMC employee who has oversight responsibility for all health professions training at the VAMC. The DEO receives guidance on Health Professions Education (HPE) program requirements from the VHA Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA).Qualifications:Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
Optometrist Basic Requirements
  • United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
  • Degree of Doctor of Optometry resulting from a course of education in optometry. The degree must have been obtained from one of the schools or colleges approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) for the year in which the course of study was completed. Approved schools are United States and Canadian schools or colleges of optometry listed as accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE), in the list published for the year in which the course of study was completed. ~AND~
  • Optometrists must have successfully completed residency training, approved by the Secretary of VA in an accredited post-graduate training program, or have comparable experience, as described below: (1) Approved residencies are those with accredited or within pre-accredited status by the ACOE, in the list published for the year the residency was completed OR (2) Two years of licensed clinical optometric practice in the United States consisting of active involvement in the management of medically complex patients. ~AND~
  • Optometrists must possess a current, full and unrestricted license to practice optometry, and maintain a current 1 registration in a state, territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia that requires successful passage of all parts of National Board of Examiners in Optometry intended for basic licensure. The Optometrist must maintain current registration in the state of licensure if this is a requirement for continuing active, current licensure.
  • Proficiency in spoken and written English.
  • Grandfathering Provision. Employees in VHA in this occupation, under a permanent, appropriate, and legal placement on the effective date of the qualification standard, are considered to have met all basic requirements for the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic or assignment-specific requirements in this standard but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed, the following provisions apply: (1) Such employees are considered to have met the basic qualification requirements for the purposes of transferring or reassignment to another Optometrist position within VA. (2) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (3) Employees retained in this occupation under this provision who subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re entry to the occupation. (4) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional certification that meet all the basic or assignment-specific qualification requirements of this standard must maintain the required credential as a condition of employment in the assignment.

Leadership/Manger positions: Organizational and functional titles do not replace but complement official position titles. Optometry leadership positions may include but are not limited to: Supervisory Optometrists, Section Chiefs, Assistant/Deputy Chiefs, Service Chiefs, Facility/VISN Lead Optometrists, Service Line Managers, and Central Office Program Positions. An Optometrist in a leadership position must demonstrate the following:
  1. Outstanding professional ability in the practice of optometry and healthcare administration.
  2. The ability to guide the development and implementation of programs within their respective domain, to include but not limited to optometry practice, professional standards, personnel issues, quality and performance improvement.
  3. Effectiveness in coordinating and managing interdisciplinary collaboration with both internal and external stakeholders to optimize the care of patients under their purview.
Additional Requirement: Asenior, doctorally-prepared clinician (medicine, nursing, or other associated health leader) and a respected educator experienced in the administration of educational programs and knowledgeable about affiliations and affiliation relationships. A doctorally-prepared educator with experience in CLINICAL education and academic medical education settings would also be acceptable..
Preferred Experience: Leadership experience in clinical, educational, and administrative roles. Background in academic training environments (VA, affiliates, medical schools, or accrediting bodies). Strong knowledge of Health Professions Education (HPE) programs and oversight of trainees across all academic levels. Experience interfacing with affiliate schools, DIOs, program directors, and VA leadership. Experience managing complex education programs, including fiscal oversight, affiliation agreements, and administrative operations. Ability to collaborate on risk management, trainee safety, and handling trainee performance or conduct issues. Strong communication, relationship building, and policy development skills across clinical and academic leadership.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary. There are no special physical demands. The work environment includes everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of offices and meeting and training rooms.Education:Degree of Doctor of Optometry resulting from a course of education in optometry. The degree must have been obtained from one of the schools or colleges approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) for the year in which the course of study was completed. Approved schools are United States and Canadian schools or colleges of optometry listed as accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE), in the list published for the year in which the course of study was completed.Employment Type: OTHER

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