Optometrist

Summary

The Optometrist is responsible for seeing patients in the outpatient setting. Responsibilities include performing routine eye care, including eye examinations, diagnoses, treatment, and management of diseases and disorders of the visual system, the eye, and associated structures, as well as diagnoses-related systemic conditions. He/she conducts diagnostic evaluations of visual disorders, including but not limited to diabetic eye disease, glaucoma, cataracts, and routine eye examinations.

Duties

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

General Description: This position is in the Eye Department which is aligned under the Surgical Care Service Line. Incumbents may work in either the Des Moines facility or at one of the CBOCs.
Purpose of Functional Statement: This functional statement is specific to optometrists assigned to surgical subspecialty section under the Surgical Service Line to perform duties as a subspecialist, in the inpatient and/or outpatient setting. It is understood this functional statement is not inclusive of all assigned duties and responsibilities, but provides a general overview of general performance expectations and responsibilities.

Responsibilities of the provider:
Duties include, but are not limited to:

-Delivering high quality primary eye & vision care services; examining for and prescribing corrective lens, ordering diagnostic imaging and laboratory studies; preparing referrals for diagnosis, treatment & management of systemic and ocular conditions revealed through optometric examination.
-Providing patient and family education regarding ocular health issues.
-Providing emergency care, evaluating/managing/triaging emergent, non-surgical eye conditions; problem-oriented care, managing patients referred with complaints typical of routine eye care disorders; preventive health services, performing mandated examinations such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma screenings.
-Performing clinical procedures, such as: medical and ocular history, visual acuity measurement, pupillary function testing, color vision testing, extraocular muscle function and binocularity testing, refractive and accommodative testing, external examination of the eye and adnexal structures, biomicroscopic evaluation of the ocular/anterior/posterior segments of the eye, including fundus lens evaluation.
-Collaborating with other optometrists, ophthalmologists, nursing staff, technicians and administrators to facilitate operations within the service to meet common goals.
-Performing the administrative components of patient care management, including timely completion of progress notes, consults and encounters for all patient.
-The selectee is to have a high level of flexibility and commitment to meet the dynamic needs of an evolving patient care system.
-Other duties as assigned.

Standards of Care: The Optometrist is to practice in accordance with National VA guidelines; VA Central Iowa Health System policies/procedures; medical staff bylaws, rules and regulations; and in accordance with current Joint Commission standards.

The incumbent reports to the Director of Surgical Service Line.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Work Schedule: The tour of duty for this position is typically Monday- Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm. Additional information may be provided during the interview process.

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