At Houston Methodist, the Optometrist position is responsible for providing expert medical care to patients to diagnose and treat visual deficiencies defects of the eye and diagnose and medically manage diseases of the eye. This position's duties include conducting routine eye examinations on patients, referring patients to medical specialists and prescribing patients' medications, eyeglasses and/or contact lenses, based on their condition. This position provides leadership, knowledge, and experience from a management perspective on clinical and patient quality initiatives that support the provision of consistent clinical performance and practice standards across the hospital. The Optometrist position assures safe and reliable processes are embedded into the delivery of health care, and develops a culture which values patient safety, clinical excellence, evidence-based medicine, and continuous learning. This position is a role model for I CARE values, fostering a culture of unparalleled safety, quality, service, and innovation.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides medical expertise to interprofessional healthcare staff.

• Drives the promotion of teamwork within and between departments; participates and/or leads and facilitates department process improvements as needed.

• Advises patients on proper eye care techniques. Trains patients on how to use and maintain their contact lenses.

• Conducts self in a manner that is congruent with cultural diversity, equity, and inclusion principles. Initiates contributions towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e., peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Performs comprehensive eye and vision tests. Responds to patients' medical issues starting with their history, timely updating patients' charts and information to reflect current findings and treatments. Diagnoses and medically manages diseases and defects of the eye, including cataract, glaucoma, macular degeneration, myopia, astigmatism, presbyopia etc.

• Provides personalized temporary and permanent solutions to sight issues based on each patient's specific case and medical history. Analyzes test results to accurately diagnose patients, as well as present treatment options. Reaches an informed diagnosis based on scientific knowledge and the patient's medical history.

• Discusses and explains treatments, eyeglasses, contact lenses and medications thoroughly with patients, advising them of all the side effects and ensuring all allergy information is current prior to prescribing any medication or treatment.

• Schedules next appointments in cases where re-examination is required. Drives department service standards and activities to impact overall score for patient satisfaction, through role modeling and fostering accountability.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Supports and enforces behavior standards and procedures as it relates to factors that contribute to adverse events and quality of care improvement.

• Role models situational awareness, using teachable moments to improve safety and service, collaborating with physicians and Hospital Leadership. Utilizes change management principles to promote continuous quality improvement.

• Refers to ophthalmologists when patients need to undergo a surgery or in cases of severe eye injuries requiring advanced medical care including but not limited to laser, blade, or scalpel procedures.

• Maintains updated and accurate medical records for all patients. Complies with federal and state privacy laws, always respecting a patient's confidentiality.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Adheres to the concept of fiscal stewardship for the financial responsibility and well-being of the patient which includes managing for quality and removing any unnecessary costs.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Stays up-to-date with latest research, technologies, and best practices. Participates in the development and implementation of new procedures. Participates in speaking engagements, presentations, or educational rounds to further enhance departmental and/or system-wide Houston Methodist.

• Seeks opportunities to identify self-development needs and takes appropriate action. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an on-going basis.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• Graduate of an approved optometry school with a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Two years of experience in an optometric clinical practice setting

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• OPT - Optometrist - State Licensure

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• In-depth understanding of eye conditions and vision defects

• Hands-on experience with eye examination tools, such as ophthalmoscope and tonometer

• Ability to explain medical terms

• Broad knowledge of common medication, side effects and contraindications

• In-depth knowledge of legal medical guidelines

• Knowledge of fundamentals of patient safety

• Knowledge of fundamentals of quality improvement

• Ability to think strategically, insightful decision-maker

• Ability to analyze and solve problems

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs No
• Business professional Yes
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Houston Methodist Specialty Physician Group - As one of the nation’s leading hospitals and academic medical centers Houston Methodist has brought together some of the nation’s leading experts in multiple specialties to serve our patients.  As part of Houston Methodist Specialty Physician Group (HMSPG), these specialists not only provide excellent clinical care, but are on the forefront of research, developing leading-edge technologies and treatments, and teaching the medical pioneers of tomorrow.  This combination of clinical service, research and academics ensures patients have access to the latest in treatments and technologies while providing the best in comprehensive patient care.  Established as a non-profit corporation and certified by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners, HMSPG enables physicians to maintain autonomy with respect to their clinical practice while growing their practice within an academic environment.