GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Optometrist is the lead of our eye care team. The Staff Optometrist works as part of the medical provider team providing Optometry services to the patients of the Center.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Examine eyes, using observation, instruments and pharmaceutical agents, to determine visual acuity and perception, focus and coordination and to diagnose diseases and other abnormalities such as glaucoma or color blindness.
2. Analyze test results and develop a treatment plan.
3.  Prescribe, supply, fit and adjust eyeglasses, contact lenses and other vision aids.
4. Prescribe medications to treat eye diseases if state laws permit.
5. Educate and counsel patients on contact lens care, visual hygiene, lighting arrangements and safety factors.
6. Consult with and refer patients to ophthalmologist or other health care practitioner if additional medical treatment is determined necessary.
7. Remove foreign bodies from the eye.
8. Provide patients undergoing eye surgeries, such as cataract and laser vision correction, with pre- and post-operative care.
9. Prescribe therapeutic procedures to correct or conserve vision.
10.  Provides primary medical care by caring for all patients in accordance with the physician's medical specialty.
11. Develops a plan of care for each patient, including: complete medical history, physician examination, diagnosis, appropriate treatment and/or referral, including hospitalization where necessary.
12. Stresses the importance of preventive health care measures.
13. Uses all available resources in diagnosis and treatment, such as laboratory and radiological testing, in an appropriate and cost efficient manner.
14. Confers with consulting physicians, nurse, patients, and patient's families concerning treatment and care of patients.
15. Refers those cases, which require specialist services, but maintains responsibility, assuring that continuity of care is provided.
16. Participates in the development and implementation of a regularly up-dated performance improvement plan for the consortium.
17. Participates in the Health Promotion/Disease Prevention activities required by the U.S. Public Health Service.
18. Attends all medical staff meetings and participates in the health center's Performance Improvement program.
19. Performs other necessary duties as required by the community health center to meet the goals of providing primary health care.
20. Recognize own role in marketing of clinic services by developing positive relations with the public in general.
21. Participates in the health center’s performance improvement activities and performs duties in accordance with applicable standards.
22. Performs other necessary duties as required by the Medical Director and/or the Chief Executive Officer to meet the goal.