Job Description

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The West Virginia University Health System, the state’s largest health system and largest private employer, comprises 18 hospitals throughout the state and bordering states. In addition, it includes five institutes, as well as providing management services for other local hospitals through affiliate agreements.

Whether you are caring for our patients at one of the critical access hospitals, community sites, regional or academic medical centers, we are all one WVU Health System.

Work Here. Thrive Here.

Additional Job Description:

West Virginia University Medicine’s Department of Ophthalmology is seeking a Board-certified Optometrist to join our expanding team within a nationally recognized academic medical center in Wheeling, West Virginia.

Working as an optometrist at WVU offers the opportunity to care for a diverse patient population with complex ocular conditions, collaborate within a high-volume subspecialty environment, and grow professionally in a supportive academic setting.

Opportunity Highlights

• Treat a broad spectrum of patients, including pediatric and adult strabismus cases, providing exposure to clinically challenging and varied conditions.
• Expand your expertise across routine optometry and specialized care.
• Diagnose, manage, and treat glaucoma, ocular disease, refractive errors, and other complex conditions.
• Enjoy a role that enhances both clinical proficiency and long‑term professional satisfaction.

Practice Environment

WVU Medicine’s Ophthalmology Department offers:

• A collaborative, academically rich, and high-volume clinical environment.
• Extensive case breadth, including complex cataracts, plastics (ptosis, blepharoplasty), cornea, and other subspecialties.
• Strong faculty engagement with a deep commitment to teaching and mentorship.
• Active resident involvement is supported by dedicated faculty.
• Significant surgical exposure, including trauma management, inpatient consults, and comprehensive ophthalmology procedures.

Advanced Clinical & Research Capabilities

• Home to one of only two federally funded Visual Sciences Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence in the nation.
• Active initiatives in gene therapy for inherited blindness, including PROM1‑targeted retinal vector research showing promising preclinical results.
• Retina specialists serve as key providers for ocular trauma and vision threatening disease.
• Access to ultramodern diagnostic tools and therapies, reinforcing WVU as a referral center for complex ophthalmic cases.
• Robust clinical trial involvement supported by NIH/NEI grant funding.

Facilities & Infrastructure Expansion

A new 150,000 sq. ft. Eye Institute has been approved, featuring:

• 105 exam rooms
• 44 testing rooms
• Dedicated surgical suites

This expansion is projected to be completed in September 2027 and will significantly increase patient access, clinical capacity, and opportunities for faculty and trainees.

About WVU Medicine:

WVU Medicine is the clinical and academic health enterprise of West Virginia University and stands as the state’s largest health system and private employer. Founded in 1996 to unify academic medicine, clinical care, and community health initiatives, WVU Medicine has grown into a regional powerhouse with 30 hospitals across West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. It includes specialized institutes, such as the WVU Cancer Institute, WVU Critical Care and Trauma Institute, WVU Heart and Vascular Institute, WVU Eye Institute, and the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, and employs over 47,000 people. With more than 3,260 beds, the system delivers comprehensive care, ranging from primary services and advanced procedures like robotic cardiac surgery to mobile cancer screenings.

The foundation of WVU Medicine is deeply rooted in the history of West Virginia University, which began offering medical education in 1869. The School of Medicine evolved from a two-year program in 1912 to a full four-year medical school by 1960, thanks to a unique “pop tax” on soft drinks that funded its expansion. Over the decades, the WVU Health Sciences Center has grown to include schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Public Health, serving more than 2,500 students.

About Morgantown, WV:

• Nationally ranked among the best small cities in America for quality of life, education, and outdoor recreation.
• Safe, family-friendly university town with excellent schools, affordable housing, and vibrant arts and culture.
• Conveniently located just over an hour from Pittsburgh and within driving distance of Washington, D.C.

Join a forward-looking academic team — help shape the future of imaging at WVU while living and working in a dynamic, supportive environment.

For additional information, or to submit your CV, please contact Karen-Marie Johnson, Senior Physician Recruiter, at karen-marie.johnson@wvumedicine.org

West Virginia University & University Health Associates are an AA/EO employer -Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran – and WVU is the recipient of an NSF ADVANCE award for gender equity.

JR26-46772

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Shift:

Exempt/Non-Exempt:

United States of America (Exempt)

Company:

UHA University Health Associates

Cost Center:

8140 WVUH Ophthalmology

Address:

1 Medical Park Drive

Wheeling

West Virginia

Equal Opportunity Employer

University Health Associates and its subsidiaries (collectively "UHA") is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. UHA strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. All UHA employees, other workers, and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.