Optometrist

Job Summary:

This position is responsible for examining, diagnosing and treating parts of the visual system pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients of Oyáte Health Center (OHC).

Essential Functions and Professional Behavior Expectations:

• Responsible for providing optometry services to patients involving the performance of diagnostic, preventative, or therapeutic services to patients.
• Interviews and examines patients, reviews past medical history and requests and/or performs diagnostic tests and examinations as necessary to make clinical diagnosis.
• Document history including complaint and relevant symptoms, ocular health, medication usage, medical and family history, current vision aide if applicable, and any other pertinent data.
• Examine eyes using observation, pharmaceutical agents and instruments to determine visual perception, acuity, coordination and focus. Tests may include subjective refractions, retinoscopy, lensometry, slit lamp examination, visual fields, pupil and mobility testing, genioscopy, and tear function testing.
• Diagnoses optometric and ocular problems through external and internal physical evaluation of the eye and adnexa; detects neuromuscular impairment and anomalies of binocular functions; Clearly document diagnosis and treatment plan, including referrals, therapeutic prescriptions and long-term medical management, in patient’s electronic health record.
• Treats visual disorders through examination , prescription of corrective lenses, vision training or pharmacological means; Uses all forms of topical ophthalmic therapeutic medicines and oral therapeutic medicines to manage pathology and trauma; Treats unusual visual disorders through application of advanced optometric techniques.
• Prescribe and fit vision aides such as contact lenses and eyeglasses.
• Maintain communication with ophthalmology, optical and support staff in order to optimize quality clinical care and service; Refer patients requiring medical, surgical and/or diagnostic services.
• Provide any necessary low-vision rehabilitation and vision therapy to improve visual issues.
• Provides vision and eye care education and training to other health professionals, patients and community.
• Assists with the development and monitoring of the optometry/eye care budget and makes recommendations for allocation of resources.
• Develops and maintains performance improvement reports.
• Collaborates with grant programs and community organizations to ensure screening of children and diabetic patients is done and data is collected.
• Participates in quality improvement activities such as GPRA, PI, IPC, infection control, and case management.
• Utilization of EHR with accurate timely notes to ensure required documentation is entered for billing and referrals.

• Must comply with federal laws and regulations as required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
• Performs related duties.

Professional Behavior

• Effectively plan, organize workload and schedule time to meet the demands of the position.
• Work in a cooperative and professional manner with OHC and GPTCHB staff.
• Treat Great Plains tribes and collaborators with dignity and respect.
• Utilize effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Advance personal educational development by attending training sessions and seminars as appropriate.
• Exemplify excellent customer service with tribal stakeholders, health board colleagues, program partners, service recipients, visitors and guests.
• Foster a work environment of wellness, courtesy, friendliness, helpfulness and respect.
• Relate well and work collaboratively with coworkers and all levels of staff in a professional manner.
• Consistently demonstrate respect for and acceptance of differing capabilities, cultures, gender, age, sexual orientation and/or personalities.
• Maintain and ensure organizational privacy and confidentiality.
• Handle crisis and tolerate stress professionally.
• Be self-directed and take proactive initiative to assist others.
• Resolve issues with other departments and coworkers without direct supervision if needed.
• Exercise flexibility to alter plans/routines when situations require and continue to perform without projecting stress/frustration that would adversely affect the work environment.
• Promote an alcohol, tobacco and drug-free lifestyle.
• Embrace modes of appearance and attire that reflect a professional presence.
• Adhere to GPTCHB policies and procedures

Requirements

Participates in Core Connections training and applies GPTLHB Core Connections concepts and practices in their work.

Exemplify excellent customer service with tribal stakeholders, health board colleagues, program partners, service recipients, visitors and guests.

Foster a work environment of wellness, courtesy, friendliness, helpfulness and respect.

Relate well and work collaboratively with coworkers and all levels of staff in a professional manner.

Familiarity and/or experience working with American Indian populations and respect for and knowledge of traditional, cultural and spiritual practices of diverse American Indian communities, as well as an ability to work with other culturally and ethnically diverse populations.

Consistently demonstrate respect for and acceptance of differing capabilities, cultures, gender, age, sexual orientation and/or personalities.

Maintain and ensure organizational privacy and confidentiality.

Must be able to handle crisis and tolerate stress professionally.

Must be self-directed and take proactive initiative to assist others.

Possess the ability to resolve issues with other departments and coworkers without direct supervision.

Able to exercise flexibility to alter plans/routines when situations require and continue to perform without projecting stress/frustration that would adversely affect the work environment.

Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, including evenings, weekends and overnight or extended travel as necessary.

Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to community members, consumers and other employees of the organization.

Proficiency with computer programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and other Internet technologies.

Valid driver’s license must be kept current, and certificates, credentials or licenses must be kept current and consistent with regulations required by applicable federal, state and/or grant regulations.

Ability to promote an alcohol-, tobacco- and drug-free lifestyle.

Embrace modes of appearance and attire that reflect a professional presence.

Adhere to GPTLHB policies and procedures.

Supervisory Controls

The supervisor assigns work in terms of very general instructions. The supervisor reviews completed work for compliance with procedures and the nature and propriety of the final results. Work is reviewed through conferences, reports, and observation of operations and patient outcomes.

Guidelines

Guidelines include state and federal laws and regulations; accepted public health and optometric professional standards; OHC, GPTCHB, and department policies and procedures; Centers or Medicare and Medicaid Services Conditions of Participation manual. These guidelines are not applicable to every situation encountered and require independent judgment, selection and interpretation in application.

Complexity/Scope of Work

This position consists of patient care duties. The purpose of this position is to provide patient care to the patients of OHC. Successful performance ensures the effective and efficient operation of the OHC and affects the quality of care and patient outcomes.

Contacts

Contacts are typically with patients, OHC employees, members of the general public, personnel of other IHS facilities, and providers.

Contacts are primarily for obtaining, furnishing, exchanging and providing factual medical information.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

The work is typically performed standing or sitting. The work is typically performed in a clinic setting which requires normal safety precaution for infection control and environmental safety measures. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and sit, talk, and hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee must regularly lift and /or move light objects, and occasional lift heavier objects.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Supervisory and Management Responsibility

This is non-supervisory position that provides medical guidance and direction to OHC staff.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must have a Doctor of Optometry (OD) Degree. Completion of one-year ACOE accredited residency program is preferred.
• Two (2) years of clinical experience.
• Must have a permanent, full, and unrestricted Optometry license in any U.S. State or Territory.
• Must have a full and unrestricted therapeutics license.
• Must successfully pass a criminal and background check and a pre-employment drug screen.

Native American/American Indian Preference in hiring will be applied as defined in title 25 usc 44-46 &474.

Certification

I acknowledge that this job description is neither a contract of employment nor a legal document. I have received the job description and I understand that it is my responsibility to read and comply with the duties contained in this description and any revisions made to it. I understand that in the future I have the opportunity and the responsibility to seek clarification from my supervisor on any items which may become unclear to me. I also understand and agree that this job description is subject to change as needed based on Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Health Board requirements.