Job Description

University of Utah Job Description

Job Summary

Optometrist will provide clinical services to University of Utah Health patients in a manner consistent with the scope of practice and quality of care standards applicable to Optometrist’s training and specialty. The position reports to the Medical Director of Vision Services and Department Administrative Director. As an employee of the University of Utah Health, Optometrist will be required to:

• comply with all applicable policies, procedures, practices, requirements and standards of the University of Utah and the Community Clinics;
• comply with all directives of the Medical Director relating to Optometrist's employment;
• comply with all applicable laws and canons of professional ethics;
• comply with all other requirements of the standard employment agreement. 

Qualifications

• Doctorate of Optometry or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience).     
• Optometrist must hold a valid and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the State of Utah.
• Optometrist must have and maintain U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency number without any suspension, diminution or revocation.
• Optometrist must meet all the qualifications to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs or any similar government-funded health care program.
• Optometrist must maintain a practice of medicine consistent with recognized standards of medical care and perform all activities in accordance with those standards.
• Optometrist shall meet all qualifications required to obtain professional malpractice liability coverage.

This position is patient-sensitive and must fulfill all associated vaccination requirements, or be approved for an exemption, prior to the first day of work. We protect our patients, coworkers and community by requiring all patient-sensitive employees to be immunized according to CDC standards and hospital policy. Limited exemptions may be made for documented medical contraindications or religious beliefs that object to vaccinations.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Disclaimer

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Essential Functions

Clinical Care:
Optometrist will have full responsibility and authority over the medical functions of their practice, such as engaging in the diagnosis and treatment of disease, defects or injuries and recommending or prescribing treatments for the relief or cure of physical, mental or functional ailments or defects.

Optometrist agrees to provide all information and to execute any documents necessary to affect their participation as a Medicare and Medicaid participating physician and as a participating provider under such managed care contracts and other federal programs and any successors to existing programs, as University may reasonably deem advisable.

Call Coverage. 
Optometrist must take night, weekend and holiday call, as determined by the Medical Director according to the needs determined by the clinical practice location and/or specialty. Documentation of on call messages is a requirement of the position.

Administrative Duties:
Optometrist must perform and/or participate in any administrative duties, training programs, meetings, and other requirements which may be ancillary to the providing of clinical care, as necessary to perform Optometrist's professional functions.

Education:
Optometrist must agree, when appropriate, to teach medical students and other professional students and complete all documents required for student rotations.

Primary Responsibilities:
1. Perform eye exams
2. Orders appropriate vision screening tests
3. Treat conditions like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism
4. Prescribe and fit eyeglasses and contact lenses
5. Provide low-vision aids and vision therapy
6. Diagnose eye conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and conjunctivitis
7. Prescribe medications for certain eye conditions (in some states)