Optometrist

Job Profile Summary

This role focuses on providing medical and clinical support services to patients. In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Ophthalmology duties: Performs, prescribes, and analyzes results for the treatment of illnesses, diseases, injuries, and conditions that are related to the eye. Tasks include vision assessments, eye surgeries and advanced forms of eye disease in patients with significant systemic illness. A professional individual contributor role that may direct the work of other lower level professionals or manage processes and programs. The majority of time is spent overseeing the design, implementation or delivery of processes, programs and policies using specialized knowledge and skills typically acquired through advanced education. A specialist level role that is a recognized subject matter expert in job area typically obtained through advanced education and work experience. Typically manages large projects or processes with limited oversight from manager, coaches, reviews and delegates work to lower level professionals, resolving difficult and often complex problems.

Job Overview

Under the direction of the Chief of Ophthalmology or his designated physicians this position will practice optometry within the scope of the professional standards and law. Provides primary eye care within a multidisciplinary setting.

Job Description

Minimum Qualifications:

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Completion of 1 year American Academy of Optometry approved residency program.

Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

1. Performs routine and comprehensive eye exams with the aid of diagnostic pharmaceutical agents (D.P.A.). Such an exam would include, but is not limited to: History, Entrance Exams (Pupils, EOM'S, Color Vision, Stereopsis, Binocular Testing), Slit Lamp Exam, Tonometry, Refraction, Retinal Exam, and evaluation of optic nerves. Additional testing would be done where indicated. Some such testing would be: Amsler Grid, Keratometry, Exophthalmometry, Ultrasonography, Corneal Topography, Visual Field testing, Optic Nerve imaging, Fundus and Disc photography. Level of examination will vary based upon location and specialized functions in the department.

2. Interprets the results of a routine and comprehensive exam, to identify pathology, and to make the appropriate referrals when necessary. To follow patients with limited pathology who require treatment and / or monitoring using approved Optometric Therapeutic Pharmacological Agents when necessary

3. Evaluates patients for contact lenses, cosmetic as well as therapeutic: including but not limited to keratoconic, pediatric aphakic, adult aphakic and bandage lenses

4. Evaluates low vision patients and to have a working knowledge of low vision devices and their applications.

5. Teaches both residents and technicians any of the above skills, which fall into their scope of practice.

6. Documents patients charts and prepares billing documents for presentation to insurance agencies or patient payment.

7. Maintains insurance credentials to allow for insurance plan participation.

8. Participates in on-going department clinical quality assurance programs.

9. Maintains collaborative team relationships with peers and colleagues in order to effectively contribute to the working group's achievement of goals, and to help foster a positive work environment.

10. Performs other similar job related duties as required or directed.

11. Supervises daily work flow and activities of the ophthalmic technicians in refractive department.

12. Hires, evaluates and disciplines ophthalmic technicians in collaboration with administrative and medical leadership.

Physical Requirements:

1. Normal office work environment for an outpatient clinic patient care area.

Skills & Abilities:

1. Knowledge of eye terminology, anatomy and physiology of the eye.

2. High attention to detail.

3. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

4. Knowledge of different types of computers, both software and hardware.

5. Ability to communicate effectively with patients, physicians and department staff.

6. Ability to communicate to the patient the nature of various procedures and manage patient apprehension.