What are the responsibilities and job description for the Optometrist - MD/DO (022026.1) FULL TIME position at Bitterroot Health Human Resources?
Are you ready to work where breathtaking mountain views meet exceptional care?
At Bitterroot Health, we combine the beauty of Montana's Bitterroot Valley with our commitment to high-quality, personalized healthcare.
As the largest employer in Ravalli County, Bitterroot Health is deeply woven into the fabric of the Bitterroot Valley, offering accessible care and building lasting relationships with our neighbors.
Located in Montana’s scenic Bitterroot Valley between the Bitterroot and Sapphire Mountains, we offer rewarding careers paired with an exceptional outdoor lifestyle. Enjoy top-rated schools, a safe, family-friendly community, and year-round recreation including hiking, fishing, skiing, biking, and access to nearby rivers, trails, and lakes in one of Montana's most stunning regions.
Our Employee Connections & Wellness Team is dedicated to supporting our staff by providing resources and activities that promote occupational, physical, emotional, social, and inclusionary well-being. We believe that your happiness is key to success, which is why we also host regular employee gatherings to foster community and connection.
Grow with us! From tailored pathway training in nursing, laboratory, and surgical departments to scholarships and tuition reimbursement, we are invested in your success.
Join a team recognized for excellence! See for yourself HERE! Named a 2025 top 20 in the nation Critical Access Hospital by the National Rural Health Association. Voted 'Bitterroot’s Best Employer' in 2022 and 2023, we were also honored as the #1 Employer of Choice for large companies in Montana in 2022.
If you're passionate about making a difference in healthcare while enjoying the unmatched beauty of Montana, Bitterroot Health is the place for you. Discover the rewarding career you deserve—apply today!
The Optometrist provides comprehensive primary and medical eye care services in a hospital-based outpatient eye clinic. The Optometrist functions as an independent licensed provider while collaborating with the Ophthalmologist and multidisciplinary healthcare team to deliver high-quality, evidence-based eye care to a wide spectrum of patients.
The position supports the hospital’s mission to provide quality, accessible and personalized healthcare.
Position Highlights:
- Step into an established, fully booked patient panel from day one
- Exceptional work/life balance in one of Montana’s most scenic locations
- 4-day work week, 45 weeks per year
- Highly competitive compensation with incentive bonus structure based on production and patient experience
- Sign-on bonus, relocation assistance, and CME reimbursement.
- Positive, team-oriented atmosphere
- Full clinical support staff and state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, Nextech EMR
Why the Bitterroot Valley? The Bitterroot Valley offers unsurpassed access to the outdoors, top rated public schools, and a safe, family-friendly community. Endless adventures are just minutes from home including world-class fly-fishing on the Bitterroot River, skiing at Lost Trail Powder Mountain, numerous hiking/mountain biking trails, and countless lakes.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Perform comprehensive eye examinations including refraction, binocular vision assessment, and ocular health evaluation
- Diagnose and manage common ocular diseases including glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, and dry eye syndrome
- Prescribe corrective lenses and vision therapy when appropriate
- Provide pre- and post-operative care for ophthalmic surgical patients in collaboration with the Ophthalmologist
- Identify patients requiring surgical or specialty ophthalmologic intervention and coordinate referrals internally
- Document patient care services in the electronic medical record in accordance with organizational standards
- Participate in quality improvement initiatives and clinical protocols
- Collaborate with ophthalmology, primary care, and specialty providers to support integrated patient care
- Support community outreach, vision screening, and patient education efforts as needed
Practice Environment
- Hospital-employed outpatient clinic model
- Collaborative co-management model with on-site Ophthalmologist
- Integrated with hospital diagnostic, imaging, and care coordination services
- Strong referral base from primary care and regional providers
- Opportunity to practice full-scope medical optometry
Minimum Qualifications
- Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree from an accredited program
- Current or eligible for Montana Optometry licensure
- DEA registration (or ability to obtain, if applicable)
- Current BLS certification (or ability to obtain upon hire)
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in managing medical ocular conditions and cataract surgery co-management. A medical residency trained optometrist or similar experience is preferred.
- Experience in medical optometry and co-management of surgical patients
- Strong patient-centered communication skills
- Ability to work independently while functioning as part of an integrated care team
For benefits overview, click here.
Bitterroot Health is a non-profit organization and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer