Optometrist

Job Description

The optometrist provides general optometric services, including refraction, dilation, biometry measurements, contact lens fitting, and acute and chronic eye disease management for patients at Cherokee Indian Hospital and its outlying clinics. Responsibilities include comprehensive clinical optometric diagnosis and treatment for common vision dysfunctions, with special emphasis on geriatric patients’ needs such as diabetes, age‑related macular degeneration, and glaucoma, as well as detection and referral of patients with ocular disease or systemic disease manifestations.

• Oversees patient diagnosis, treatment and prevention of vision problems and diseases.
• Performs tests for possible sight‑related problems and diseases.
• Prescribes glasses and contact lenses; prescribes rehabilitation of the impaired eyes.
• Examines, diagnoses, treats, and manages diseases and disorders of the visual system, the eye and associated structures, as well as diagnoses related systemic conditions.
• Performs examinations for both internal and external eye structures, and subjective and objective tests to evaluate vision; analyzes the findings, determines appropriate treatments, and communicates and educates patients.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Knowledge of medical procedures and terminology related to eyes and vision.
• Interpersonal/human relations skills.
• Analytical skills.
• Attentiveness to detail.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

• Independently perform the full range of optometric procedures and instrumentation techniques with little or no guidance.
• Interview patients, review case histories, and conduct examinations.
• Analyze visual functions, including acuity, field, depth of perception, ocular coordination, and color perception.
• Use objective and subjective methods to detect ocular and systemic disease and make appropriate referrals.
• Perform refractions to assess hyperopia, myopia, astigmatism, presbyopia, and other visual deficiencies requiring correction.
• Prescribe subnormal vision aids, contact lenses, conventional lenses, and corrective eye exercises.
• Verify new prescriptions and determine previous prescriptions through lensometry, vertometry, keratometry, or other specialized instruments.
• Plan, develop, and adjust optometry program elements to meet hospital and patient needs.
• Maintain liaison with personnel of other disciplines on overlapping or mutual patient or program interests.
• Maintain proper records and prepare necessary reports.
• Apply procedures for detecting neuromuscular impairment or anomalies of binocular function and their correction.
• Provide or refer for orthoptics and visual training for strabismus and visual skill improvement.

The work provides optometry care throughout various wards and clinics, contributing to the further treatment provided by physicians and nurses.

• Doctor of Optometry degree from an accredited US or Canadian institution.
• Licensed to practice optometry in a U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia.
• Must obtain North Carolina licensure within one year after hire.
• Full, unrestricted licensure and current registration are required.
• Preferred: two years of optometric practice or equivalent.
• Alternatively, one year of approved residency training or equivalent education acceptable in lieu of two years of practice.
• Passage of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry examinations is required.

Guidance is primarily in the form of guidelines and general policy directives from the Executive Director of Clinical Services and Chief of Optometry.

Accurate patient information must be submitted to ensure appropriate reimbursement; inaccuracies could expose the agency to fraud claims.

Compliance with the Privacy Act of 1974 and HIPAA is mandatory; breaches may result in civil or criminal penalties.

Requires long periods of standing, walking, bending, reaching, and lifting of patients up to 15 pounds.

Work is performed in hospital, clinic, or office settings. Occasional travel by car and air may be required.

May supervise staff across specialties, act as contracting officer for communication and information system projects, and collaborate with the Clinical Director to monitor departmental performance expectations.

Consistently demonstrates superior customer service skills to patients and supports CIHA’s guiding principles and core values.

• Entry level

• Full‑time

• Health Care Provider

• Hospitals and Health Care