Therapeutic Optometrist

POSITION TITLE: Therapeutic Optometrist

LOCATION: HOPE Clinic

REPORTS TO: Chief Medical Officer

EDUCATION: Doctor of Optometry

WORK EXPERIENCE: 2 years of experience required

SALARY RANGE: DOE

FLSA STATUS: Salary - Exempt

POSITION TYPE: Full-Time

LANGUAGE: Fluent in English; Bilingual in English and Spanish, Arabic, Burmese, Chinese or other languages is preferred

HOPE Clinic 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.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Therapeutic Optometrist will demonstrate clinical competency in working with patients with acute eye problems and primary eye care. If a patient needs vision correction, the optometrist will prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses. They diagnose and treats eye injuries, diseases, and other visual disorders. The optometrist functions as an independent healthcare provider while working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary health team. They must demonstrate clinical competency in assessing urgent patients with various urgent care needs including trauma, red eyes, flashes and floaters, and sudden vision loss. The optometrist must demonstrate competency in same-day treatment and accurate timely referrals to ophthalmology specialists as needed.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide quality optometric services including diagnosis and treatment of eye disease within scope of Texas optometric practice guidelines and optometric protocols and funding source guidelines;
• Perform vision tests and analyze results;
• Diagnose sight problems, such as nearsightedness or farsightedness and eye diseases, such as glaucoma, or refer to appropriate specialist as needed;
• Collect, record, and maintain patient information such as ocular history, reports and examination results;
• Prescribe eyeglasses, contact lenses, and medications;
• Evaluate patients for the presence of diseases such as diabetes and refer patients to other healthcare providers as needed;
• Provide pre- and postoperative care to patients undergoing eye surgery;
• Promote eye health by counseling patients, including explaining how to clean and wear contact lenses, as needed;
• Have a working knowledge of ICD10, CPT and HCPCS coding and managed care, and be available for training as necessary;
• Maintain and complete patients’ health records or charts legibly, concisely and within 48 hours;
• Attend required meetings and participate in committees/pilot projects as requested;
• Ability to work one evening and one weekend a month as needed;
• Provide after-hours phone consult for medical providers in an emergency;
• Participate in professional development activities and maintain professional affiliations;
• Supervise optometry students assigned to the department;
• Follow the Federal and/or State guidelines related to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA);
• Participate in peer review, quality assurance, provider meetings, and other clinical meetings;
• Participate in the community health events, health education initiatives, and/ or physical/screenings activities conducted by HOPE Clinic in collaboration with community partners as needed;
• Participate in community partners meetings as an effort to plan and work on collaborative initiatives as needed;
• Assist in updating protocols and principles of practice as requested;
• Ensure the Vision department is running efficiently and in compliance by overseeing the quality of tools, supplies, staff, and patients schedules as needed;
• Use oral and written communication skills to effectively convey ideas in a clear, positive manner that is consistent with the HOPE Mission;
• Deliver care appropriate for an outpatient, primary care FQHC with a multicultural, multilingual patient population;
• Comply with the regulations and policies required of a FQHC;
• Complete administrative assignments as requested by Medical Director;
• Attend in person or electronically, either outside or during patient hours for professional development and training activities - Employer will make effort to reduce patient impact and accommodate schedules for all parties involved;
• Work as an integral part of the clinical team and honor and support the Mission of HOPE Clinic;
• Report to the Chief Medical Officer;
• Attend on-site/off-site community engagement activities, clinic events, and/or training as needed;
• Perform other duties as assigned to support HOPE Clinic’s Mission, Vision and Values.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Texas optometric license;
• Ability to work weekends;
• Completion of one-year ACOE accredited residency program;
• Glaucoma certified;
• Certified to use therapeutic pharmaceutical agents.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Doctor of Optometry (OD) Degree;
• Minimum two years of work experience.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:

• Bilingual (Vietnamese, Chinese, Arabic and/or Spanish with English) is preferred.
• Above average skills in language ability as well as public speaking and writing.
• Must have good transportation and a valid Texas Driver’s license.