Optometrist

At STRIDE Community Health Center, we’re dedicated to more than just providing healthcare, we’re committed to making a lasting impact on the lives of our patients and the communities we serve. As one of Colorado’s largest Federally Qualified Health Centers, we provide comprehensive services—including primary care, dental, pharmacy, behavioral health, health education, and outreach—to individuals and families throughout the Denver Metro area.

With over 35 years of serving our community, our growing team is at the heart of this mission. We believe healthcare is about more than treating illness; it's about fostering wellness and addressing the unique needs of every person, ensuring that no one is left behind. If you’re passionate about making a meaningful difference, thrive in a collaborative environment, and are ready for a career that transforms lives, including your own, STRIDE is the place for you.

Summary

The Optometrist provides comprehensive primary eye care services to STRIDE Community Health Center patients as part of an integrated, patient-centered healthcare team.

The position performs routine and medically necessary eye examinations; evaluates visual acuity and ocular health; diagnoses and manages common eye conditions within the scope of optometric practice; identifies ocular manifestations of systemic disease; and coordinates referrals to ophthalmology and other specialty providers when appropriate.

The Optometrist collaborates with medical, behavioral health, dental, pharmacy, care coordination, and other clinical teams to support comprehensive patient care.

STRIDE's initial optometry service model is focused on eye examinations and clinical eye care and does not include retail dispensing of eyeglasses or contact lenses.

Work Schedule

Schedule to be determined based on clinic operations and patient access needs. This exempt position may require work outside standard hours and in excess of 40 hours in a workweek.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Perform comprehensive and problem-focused eye examinations, including assessment of visual acuity, refractive status, ocular health, and other clinically appropriate testing.

Diagnosing, treat, and manage common ocular conditions within Colorado optometric scope of practice and STRIDE clinical protocols.

Evaluate patients for ocular manifestations of systemic conditions, including diabetes and hypertension, and communicate relevant findings to the patient and care team.

Perform glaucoma and other ocular disease screening and determine when additional testing, monitoring, treatment, or referral is indicated.

Develop patient-centered treatment and follow-up plans and provide education regarding eye health, disease prevention, medication use, and recommended follow-up care.

Initiate and coordinate referrals to ophthalmology, retinal specialists, or other specialty providers when care needs exceed optometric scope or available STRIDE services.

Document assessments, diagnoses, treatment plans, referrals, and patient education accurately and timely in the electronic health record.

Collaborate with primary care and other STRIDE clinical teams to support continuity of care and integrated management of chronic disease.

Review and interpret diagnostic test results and ensure appropriate patient notification and follow-up.

Provide clinical direction and guidance to Optometric Technicians and other support staff within assigned scope.

Participate in quality improvement, peer review, clinical meetings, population health initiatives, and other activities supporting safe and effective eye care.

Maintain compliance with applicable federal and state laws, professional standards, credentialing requirements, infection prevention practices, and STRIDE policies and procedures.

Support development and ongoing evaluation of STRIDE optometry workflows, clinical protocols, referral pathways, equipment needs, and patient access processes.

Perform other duties as assigned consistent with the scope and responsibilities of the position.

Requirements

STRIDE Values

• Community: All are welcome at STRIDE - our patients are the center of our work.
• Trust: Our patients feel safe, empowered, and supported.
• Value: We respond to patients' needs by providing effective, affordable care.
• Compassion: We treat patients with kindness, empathy, and dignity.

Education and Experience

Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree from an accredited school or college of optometry required.

Current, unrestricted license to practice optometry in the State of Colorado required by date of hire and maintained throughout employment.

Clinical experience providing comprehensive primary eye care preferred; experience in community health, FQHC, ambulatory care, or care of medically underserved populations is strongly preferred.

• Experience working collaboratively within an integrated or multidisciplinary healthcare team preferred.
• Certificates, Licenses, and Registration
• Current, unrestricted Colorado Optometrist license issued by the applicable Colorado licensing authority.

Maintain all professional registrations, certifications, and prescribing authorities required to perform assigned duties within Colorado scope of practice.

Current BLS/CPR certification from an organization accepted by STRIDE, if required by provider credentialing or organizational policy.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of current optometric standards of care, ocular disease screening, diagnosis, treatment, referral criteria, and preventive eye health practices.

Knowledge of the relationship between systemic health conditions and ocular health, including diabetes and hypertension.

Working knowledge of applicable healthcare privacy, documentation, infection prevention, quality, and patient safety requirements.

Ability to use electronic health records and optometric diagnostic equipment accurately and efficiently.

Strong clinical judgment, critical thinking, and decision-making skills, including the ability to recognize findings requiring urgent or specialty referral.

Excellent patient communication and education skills with the ability to provide culturally responsive care to diverse patient populations.

Strong collaboration and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with clinical and non-clinical teams.

Ability to organize workload, manage patient flow, complete documentation timely, and maintain attention to detail in a fast-paced ambulatory setting.

We offer a competitive yearly range of $145,000 - $165,000, depending on your experience.

This range reflects STRIDE’s good faith estimate of potential compensation at the time of posting. The final salary for the selected candidate will be determined based on several factors, including experience, education, budget, internal equity, specialty, and training.

At STRIDE Community Health Center, we value a strong and collaborative work environment. To ensure a successful integration into our team, we implement a 90-day probationary period for all new employees. This timeframe is designed to evaluate performance and assess cultural alignment within our organization.

It offers both the employee and the employer the opportunity to determine if the role is a mutual fit, promoting long-term success and satisfaction in your career with us. Join our dedicated team and contribute to our mission of providing quality health care to our community!

Miscellaneous Requirements

Compliance with employee health policies and procedures, including annual influenza (flu) vaccination or provide a medical/religious exemption, as well as undergo tuberculosis screening and testing. Commitment to the mission, vision, and values of the organization.

Work Environment, Physical and Mental Demands

The work environmental characteristics, physical and mental demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job on a routine or consistent basis.

Clinical/office environment. Uses computers and clinical equipment and moves between examination rooms and other clinic areas.

May move or transport clinical supplies and equipment up to 25 lbs. Reasonable accommodation may be provided as required by law.

Requires periods of sitting, standing, walking, bending, reaching, and positioning equipment while providing or supporting patient care.

Requires repetitive hand and computer movements and close visual attention.

Requires sustained attention, analysis, coordination, communication, instruction, sound judgment, and effective interpersonal interaction.

Physical work in all weather and road conditions, including rain, snow, hail, and below freezing temperatures.?

Why STRIDE?

Join us for a fulfilling career with a comprehensive full-time benefits package that promotes professional growth, well-being, and financial security, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Paid time off (PTO) and holidays
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA), including dependent care options
• 401(k) with matching
• Work-life balance
• NHSC Loan Repayment
• Tuition reimbursement and/or Continuing Medical Education (CME)
• No nights, weekends, or major holidays
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employee Discounts on top attractions, hotels, more
• STRIDE conducts background checks, including criminal history, education, license and certification.
• STRIDE is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.
• STRIDE complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act, providing reasonable accommodations as needed.

Health and Safety Commitment

To ensure the safety of our patients, staff, and communities, all new hires at STRIDE must receive an annual flu shot or provide an exemption, as well as undergo tuberculosis screening and testing.

Applicants will be considered until the position is filled.