Optometrist
Listed compensation
$77.4-$108.75/hr
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.
Job Description
- Job Location: Lakewood Plaza - Staples, MN
- Position Type: Full Time
- Salary Range: $77.40 - $108.75Hourly
- Job Category: Health Care
About Lakewood Lakewood Health System is a comprehensive rural healthcare system in central Minnesota. Leading the way in providing quality, personalized healthcare for a lifetime, Lakewood prides itself on remaining fiercely independent to prioritize its patients, staff, and communities in all decisions.
Voted as one of Star Tribune’s Top Workplaces for the sixth year in a row, we do rural healthcare differently at LHS by providing a solid foundation of family practice providers with access to best-in-class specialty services, all right here at Lakewood.
Across the spectrum of life, Lakewood Health System provides compassionate, quality care for the Brainerd Lakes region and beyond.
About the Team The Optometry team at Lakewood Health System provides comprehensive eye care services to patients of all ages.
The team works collaboratively with optical staff, technicians, and clinic providers to deliver high-quality vision care, ocular disease management, and patient education that supports long-term eye health.
Mission for Position Provide comprehensive, patient-centered optometric care through examination, diagnosis, treatment, and management of conditions and diseases of the eye and visual system while supporting long-term ocular health and positive patient outcomes.
Duties & Responsibilities The Optometrist is a licensed healthcare professional responsible for examining, diagnosing, treating, and managing conditions and diseases of the eye and visual system.
This role provides comprehensive eye care services including vision exams, corrective lens prescriptions, detection of ocular abnormalities, medical eye treatment within scope of practice, and patient education.
Responsibilities include performing comprehensive eye examinations, prescribing corrective lenses, diagnosing and managing ocular disease, co-managing surgical patients when appropriate, maintaining accurate documentation within the electronic health record, and collaborating with clinic staff and referring providers to ensure high-quality patient care. Position Type This is a full-time position.
Qualifications
Qualifications Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree from an accredited institution. Current Minnesota optometry license in good standing. DEA registration if prescribing therapeutic pharmaceuticals.
Ideal Candidate Strong clinical assessment and diagnostic skills in comprehensive eye care Knowledge of ocular disease management and specialty contact lens fitting Proficiency with electronic health record (EHR) documentation and optometric diagnostic equipment Communicates exam findings, diagnoses, and treatment plans clearly and effectively.
Educates patients on preventive eye care, ocular health, and vision correction options. Collaborates effectively with technicians, opticians, administrative staff, and referring providers.
Benefits Lakewood Health System is growing and looking for great people to join our mission of providing personalized, quality healthcare for a lifetime. At Lakewood, our people are our most valued asset!
Generous Planned Time Off & Wellness Time Off 401K Match Annual tuition assistance of $2,000 per year Best-in-region employer HSA contributions Employer paid premiums for individual-only healthcare coverage!
With ample opportunities for growth within the system and support as you pursue your personal goals, it's safe to say that Lakewood Health System is a great place to launch or continue your career in healthcare!
A new team member's starting wage reflects our compensation philosophy, taking into account experience, education, certifications and internal equity. Hourly pay is just one part of the comprehensive and rewarding compensation package we're proud to provide!
Please be sure to include all applicable experience in your application. If you need an accommodation during the application process, please call 218-894-8524 or email humanresources@lakewoodhealthsystem.com. Interested, but will the schedule work for you?
Have questions on organizational culture, team fit or day-to-day experience? >>>Contact [Brad Anderson] to discuss the possibilities further: Brad Anderson, Chief Development Officer P: 218-894-8587 E: bradanderson@lakewoodhealthsystem.com Disclaimer: Job postings found on third-party websites may be outdated or no longer active.
For the most accurate and up-to-date listing of career opportunities, and to apply directly, please visit our official website at lakewoodhealthsystem.com.
Lakewood Health System provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Key Responsibilities
The Optometrist is responsible for examining, diagnosing, and treating conditions of the eye and visual system. They will provide comprehensive eye care, prescribe corrective lenses, and collaborate with clinic staff to ensure high-quality patient outcomes.
Requirements
Candidates must hold a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree from an accredited institution. A current Minnesota optometry license in good standing and DEA registration for prescribing pharmaceuticals are required.
Qualifications
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Certifications
Key Skills
Optometry Career Context
In Minnesota, the Optometry weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$164k (39 salary observations; 173 listings), vs ~$152k nationally (603 salary observations; 5,003 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2026-02-01 through 2026-11-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.
Of the 46 active Optometry listings this role was benchmarked against, 2% are remote, 70% have no call, 43% require no weekends.
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Listed pay | $161k–$226k | Optometry median $166k (middle half $158k–$192k)20 comparable listings, Nov 2026 |
| Minnesota vs national | $164k median in Minnesota | $152k nationally (+8%)39 state / 603 national salary observations |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$196k in purchasing power | Minnesota index 98.6 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Optometry listings in Minnesota | 73 active | 2,039 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 2% remote · 70% no call · 43% no weekends46 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | US healthcare professional listings (all specialties): 33% state a sign-on bonus (median $20k) · 9% offer loan repayment1,000 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New Optometry listings | 481 in the last 30 days | 471 the 30 days before (about the same)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Optometry pay trend | +4.5% vs prior quarter | —through Oct 2026 |
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