Optometrist, Correctional Health Services

Job Description

The Optometrist will provide comprehensive eye care services, including examination, diagnosis, and treatment of visual disorders and diseases, to inmates in a correctional facility. This role involves prescribing eyeglasses, contact lenses, and medications, as well as educating patients about proper eye care and preventive measures. The Optometrist will use specialized equipment to conduct thorough eye examinations and interpret diagnostic test results. The position requires maintaining accurate patient records, coordinating with other healthcare professionals, and ensuring compliance with safety protocols. The ideal candidate will possess a valid optometry license, strong communication skills, and a commitment to patient care and ongoing professional development. Additionally, incumbents may need to obtain POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) certification within the probationary period and maintain it thereafter.

Responsibilities

• Conducts eye exams using optometric equipment and performs general diagnostic interpretation.

• Prescribes, fits and adjusts eyeglasses.

• Recommends appropriate follow up and ensures continuity of care.

• Collaborates with multidisciplinary healthcare team to ensure the provision of appropriate care.

• Provides direct and/or indirect patient care oriented toward improving or maintaining health and preventing illness.

• Analyzes, summarizes and/or reviews data; reports findings, interprets results and/or makes recommendations.

• Provides medical consultation in specialized areas of knowledge.

• Provides direct client care including development, documentation, execution and assessment of treatment plan, etc.

• Refers client/inmate/patient to other available services to meet needs where appropriate.

• Coordinates activities with institutional needs and enforces security regulations on or off property.

• Maintains and updates patient charts, records, and information.

• Performs physical examinations and/or preventive health measures to assess and evaluate patient's clinical problems and health care needs.
  
  
  
  
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

(includes knowledge, skills, and abilities required upon entry into position and trainable after entry into position)

• Applied understanding of general principles of optometry and best practices for the diagnosis and treatment of eye-related disorders and conditions.

• The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

• The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

• The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

• The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

• Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

• Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

• Managing one's own time and the time of others.

• Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

• Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

• General computer proficiency and ability to document care provided in the electronic health record.

• Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Supplemental Information

• Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree from an accredited optometry program

• Basic life support certification

• Active license to practice optometry in the State of Utah