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Denver Health
Denver, Colorado

Optometrist (PRN/Intermittent)

Optometrist 8.0 Work-LifeNo weekendsNo nightsPer Diem

Listed compensation

$154k-$175k

The week · per this posting · Monday – FridayWeekdays only

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations and time off.

Posted 1mo ago

Job Description

We are recruiting for a mission-driven Optometrist (PRN/Intermittent) to join our team!

We're with you for life’s journey. At Denver Health, purpose isn’t just something we believe in—it’s something we live every day, for life’s journey.

Our Values

Respect | Belonging | Accountability | Transparency

Department: Ophthalmologists

Job Summary

The Ophthalmology Division at Denver Health is seeking a PRN/Intermittent Optometrist to join our expanding, vibrant team of ophthalmologists and optometrists.

This PRN opportunity is intended to provide occasional coverage (2-3 days per month) Monday through Friday when other providers in the vision clinic are out of the office or when there is a clinical need for increased staffing.

The number of shifts per month may vary depending on clinical needs and the needs of the department.

As Colorado’s primary safety-net institution, Denver Health serves as a model for other safety net institutions across the nation. This is an ideal position for an individual who enjoys working with a diverse patient population and is committed to the care of underserved and marginalized patients.

The candidate should be comfortable with providing outpatient eye care services, including diagnosing vision disorders and diseases, and providing appropriate management and treatment including eyeglasses, contact lenses, and medications.

The candidate should be familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within optometry, and rely on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. The successful candidate will perform a variety of tasks, and a wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected.

Essential Functions

  • Diagnose and treat conditions of the eyes. (60%)
  • Perform thorough eye exams and prescribe corrective lenses. (10%)
  • Prescribe medications. (10%)
  • Maintain Accurate Patient Records – Document patient histories, exam findings, prescriptions, and treatment plans in compliance with healthcare regulations and clinic policies. (10%)
  • Teach patients proper eye care. (10%)

Conduct Comprehensive Eye Exams – Perform routine and specialized eye examinations to assess visual acuity, diagnose vision problems, and detect ocular diseases or abnormalities. (0%)

Prescribe Corrective Lenses & Treatments – Determine appropriate prescriptions for eyeglasses and contact lenses, as well as recommend vision therapy, medications, or other treatments for eye conditions. (0%)

Diagnose & Manage Ocular Conditions – Identify and manage common eye diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy, providing referrals to specialists when necessary. (0%)

Educate & Counsel Patients – Explain diagnoses, treatment options, and preventive eye care practices to patients, ensuring they understand their vision health and corrective solutions. (0%)

Participate in clinical education of healthcare students as seen fit by the supervising medical staff. (0%)

Education

Doctorate Degree in optometry Required

Work Experience

1-3 years At least two years of professional experience as a optometrist preferred.

Licenses

  • OPT-Optometrist - State Board of Optometry Required and
  • BLS-Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) - AHA - American Heart Association or American Red Cross Required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Knowledge of theory, principles and practice of optometry.
  • Knowledge of safety principles in patient care environment.
  • Knowledge of standards, polices and procedures of Denver Health as they pertain to providers.

Ability to integrate requirements of the facility and/or regulatory agencies into clinical decisions and documentation. Demonstrates competency for chiropractic treatment methods, techniques and approaches per professional and agency standards.

  • Ability to meet physical requirements of job classification (lift, pull/push, carry, transfer patients, etc.).
  • Ability to abide by the ethical guidelines as outlined by the American Optometry Association.
  • Computer skills required

Shift: Days (United States of America)

  • Work Type
  • PRN/Intermittent

Salary

$153,600.00 - $175,200.00 / yr (Pay range listed is for 1.0 full-time equivalent (FTE). See Work Type for actual FTE)

Benefits

At Denver Health, we take care of the people who take care of our community. Our benefits are built to support your life, your family, and your future — with exceptional retirement contributions, and nationally recognized well-being programs.

We invest in your growth through tuition assistance, career advancement pathways, and professional development — while also offering meaningful financial advantages through loan forgiveness eligibility and employer contributions.

When you join Denver Health, you’re joining a mission-driven organization that invests in you.

  • Here is a small list of our benefit programs:
  • Social security replacement retirement plan with employer contribution of 3%
  • On-site employee fitness center and wellness classes
  • Community resource navigation support
  • Childcare discount programs & exclusive perks on large brands, travel, and more
  • Education & development opportunities including career pathways and coaching

About Denver Health

Denver Health is an integrated, high-quality academic healthcare system considered a model for the nation that includes a Level I Trauma Center, a 555-bed acute care medical center, Denver’s 911 emergency medical response system, 10 family health centers, 19 school-based health centers, Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety, the Public Health Institute at Denver Health, Denver Health Medical Plan and Denver Health Foundation.

As Colorado’s primary, and essential, safety-net healthcare system, Denver Health is a mission-driven organization that has provided millions in uncompensated care for the uninsured each year.

Located near downtown Denver, Denver Health is just minutes away from many of the cultural and recreational activities Denver has to offer.

Denver Health is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We value the unique ideas, talents and contributions reflective of the needs of our community. All job applicants for safety-sensitive positions must pass a pre-employment drug test, once a conditional offer of employment has been made. Applicants will be considered until the position is filled.

Key Responsibilities

The Optometrist will diagnose and treat various eye conditions, perform comprehensive eye exams, and prescribe corrective lenses and medications. They are also responsible for maintaining accurate patient records and educating patients on preventive eye care practices.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Doctorate degree in Optometry and possess a valid Optometrist license. At least 1-3 years of professional experience is required, with a preference for two years of experience.

Qualifications

Education
Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Vision disorder diagnosisPrescribing corrective lensesOcular disease managementGlaucoma managementMacular degeneration managementDiabetic retinopathy managementPatient educationClinical documentationBLS certificationElectronic health recordsRegulatory compliance

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Optometrist (PRN/Intermittent) at Denver Health a 8.0 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as excellent. This places the position in the top 10% in Optometry — ranked against 1,886 active Optometry listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no weekend requirements, no night shifts.

Optometry Career Context

Of the 40 active Optometry listings this role was benchmarked against, 78% have no call, 43% require no weekends.

Optometry pay on WeekdayDoc is up 1.0% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

The cost-of-living index for Colorado is 103.1 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$164k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $159k in an average-cost state. 60.9% of Colorado clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top contract/1099 Optometrist Jobs

13 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution13 jobs · 11 employers

5
<$175k
2
$196k
4
$200k-225k
2
$225k-250k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks12 jobs · 11 employers

401k / retirement match
67% this job
Sign-on bonus
50%
CME allowance
42%
Relocation assistance
17%
Loan repayment
8% this job

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Optometrist

Vision to Learn · Newark, New Jersey

$110-$120/hr
#2

Optometrist - Ophthalmology

Providence · Torrance, California

$74.17-$117.1/hr
#3

Managing Optometrist-West Nyack, NY- LensCrafters

$159k-$222k
#4

Market Managing Optometrist- Westchester and Long Island, NY- LensCrafters brand

$159k–$222k
+ 11 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 2.8this job 8.0
Among the best 10% of Optometry listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 1,886 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • No weekends
  • No nights

Living in Denver

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$560k≈ 3.6× annual pay
Typical market rent
$1,881/mo≈ 15% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
25 min
State income tax
Up to 4.4%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

Denver Health logo

About Denver Health

Hospitals and Health Care
Denver, CO
5,001-10,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Retirement Plan with Employer Contribution
On-site Fitness Center
Wellness Classes
Community Resource Navigation
Childcare Discounts
Education & Development Opportunities
Loan Forgiveness Eligibility