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Locum Optometry Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Optometrist - Locum Meet the biggest underestimated place in the north. A dramatic riverfront ... Optometry KurzSolutions is committed to improving health outcomes by providing well-managed ...

Locum Optometry information

See Minnesota salary details

$63.7K

$121.7K

$181.2K

How much do locum optometry jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for locum optometry in Minnesota is $121,656.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $96,000.00 and $143,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is locum optometry?

Locum optometry refers to optometrists who work on a temporary or contractual basis, filling in for permanent staff at various clinics, hospitals, or optical practices. Locum optometrists may cover for vacations, staff shortages, or peak periods, and they often enjoy flexible schedules and diverse work environments. This role allows optometrists to gain broad experience across different settings while maintaining autonomy over their work commitments.

What is the difference between Locum Optometry vs Permanent Optometry?

AspectLocum OptometryPermanent Optometry
CredentialsRequires valid optometry license and sometimes temporary permitsRequires full licensure and possibly additional certifications
Work EnvironmentTemporary clinics, hospitals, or retail settingsLong-term clinics, private practices, or hospitals
Employment TypeShort-term, contract-basedFull-time or part-time, ongoing employment
Industry UsageCommon for filling staffing gaps or covering leaveStandard employment for stable practice operations

In summary, Locum Optometry offers flexible, short-term positions ideal for covering staffing needs, while Permanent Optometry provides ongoing employment within established practices. Both roles require proper licensure and are integral to the optometry industry.

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

To thrive as a Locum Optometrist, you need a degree in optometry, registration with the relevant professional body, and strong clinical assessment skills. Familiarity with optical equipment, electronic health record systems, and often various practice management software is crucial. Excellent communication, adaptability, and the ability to quickly build rapport with new teams and patients set outstanding locum optometrists apart. These skills ensure high-quality patient care and smooth integration into different clinical environments, which is vital for success in temporary roles.

What are some common challenges faced by locum optometrists, and how can they be managed?

Locum optometrists often face the challenge of quickly adapting to new practice environments, systems, and patient demographics with each assignment. Building rapport with staff and patients in a short time frame and staying up-to-date with different equipment or procedures can require strong communication and flexibility. To manage these challenges, it helps to arrive early to become familiar with the clinic setup, proactively communicate with the team, and maintain an organized system for tracking appointments and patient notes. Many locum optometrists also network with colleagues for support and share best practices to ensure smooth transitions between placements.
What are the most commonly searched types of Optometry jobs in Minnesota? The most popular types of Optometry jobs in Minnesota are:
What are popular job titles related to Locum Optometry jobs in Minnesota? For Locum Optometry jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Locum Optometry job openings in Minnesota as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 2% Temporary. Highlights an 97% Physical, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $121,656 per year, or $58.5 per hour.
Optometrist - Locum

Other

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

Optometrist – Locum

Meet the biggest underestimated place in the north. A dramatic riverfront skyline, three professional sports stadiums within 1.3 miles, so much art you're literally surrounded by it and a theater on almost every corner. A culture committed to perfecting the craft of the brew, one of the best park systems in the nation, and a foodie paradise where you can get Nordic cuisine for breakfast, Ethiopian for lunch and this thing called a "Jucy Lucy" for dinner – and oh yeah, cocktails on a Ferris wheel. A place to bring your dancing shoes and party at festivals all year round, enjoy four gorgeous seasons surrounded by 22 lakes, the Mississippi River and a waterfall, and meet friendly locals who can't wait to show you why they love living here. Client Minneapolis – here

The Minneapolis VA Health Care System is an affiliated teaching hospital which serves as the tertiary referral center for the Veterans Integrated Service Network 23. It has 309 beds. The medical center provides primary, specialty, mental and behavioral health, and extended care and rehabilitative care to over 80,000 veteran patients. It has one of the largest education and training programs in the VA system. are affiliated with the University of Minnesota Schools of Medicine and Dentistry. In conjunction with affiliations, residency-training programs exist in all of the medical, surgical, psychiatric, oral surgery and diagnostic specialties and subspecialties. The medical center has their own accredited hospital-based training programs for Radiology Technicians and Dental residents.

Overview

The Optometrist shall possess the same skills required of the ophthalmic technicians for vision services and eye exams. Clinical responsibilities of seeing 18 patients per day and tasks include, but are not limited to:

  • Assess patients' eye health
  • Diagnose eye conditions such as: glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, conjunctivitis, and other medical conditions that may affect eye health.
  • Provide for all manner of nonsurgical treatment of conditions of the eye
  • Prescribe medications for certain eye conditions
  • Exam and assess the eye lids, cornea, sclera and the retina
  • Determine the exact treatment for correction of patients' vision conditions such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism by prescribing eyeglasses or contact lenses.
  • Provides low vision aids and vision therapy
  • Participates in pre- and post-operative care for patients who need eye surgery
  • Examine eyes for health and vision problems
  • Diagnose and treat eye disease
  • Detect and identify general health problems manifested in the eye, i.e.: diabetes; hypertension; autoimmune disorders; high cholesterol; thyroid disease; cancer; tumors.
  • Diagnose and treat glaucoma
  • Diagnose cataracts; coordinate with eye surgeon; provide post-operative care.
  • Remove foreign bodies from the eye
  • Treat eye injuries and arrange for surgical care if needed
  • Provide emergency treatment for eye accidents
  • Prescribe glasses and contact lenses
  • Prescribe glasses or other devices for specialized vision needs
  • Prescribe specialized vision aids for visually impaired
  • Provide rehabilitative services for victims of head injuries with impaired vision.
  • Work with patients to improve eye/hand coordination
  • Evaluate eye coordination for reading and provide visual therapy to improve reading skills.
  • Provide care for persons with artificial eyes
  • Evaluate and coordinate care for refractive surgery patients (e.g. radial keratotomy or excimer laser).
Qualifications
  • The Optometrist shall possess full and unrestricted license and/or certification in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States or the District of Columbia.
  • The Optometrist shall be board certified by the American Board of Optometry

KurzSolutions is committed to improving health outcomes by providing well-managed companies with the top healthcare talent in the market.