Supervisory Optometrist (Clinical)

PLEASE NOTE - This position may require temporarily relocation to other TONHC Facilities: Sells Hospital, Santa Rosa Health Center, San Simon Health Center, and San Xavier Health Center.

Position Summary:

This position exercises full delegated supervisory responsibilities and authorities for directing, planning, organizing, reviewing, and evaluating the Optometry program and personnel administration of the Optometry staff. Provides administrative and technical supervision, identifies challenges, prioritizes efforts, and develops expectations for eye care services at multiple clinics.

Scope of Work:

This position is located within the Tohono O'odham Nation Sells Hospital. This position may require 50% travel to four (4) TONHC Health Care Facilities. The incumbent works as the Chief Optometrist to direct the TONHC Optometry Program, providing clinical, technical, supervisory, and administrative direction and leadership for all the professional eye care services provided to the patients of the Tohono O'odham Nation. The incumbent reports directly to the Clinical Director.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: (Depending on the area of assignment, an incumbent may not be required to perform some of the duties listed below):

• Assesses, plans, schedules, coordinates, and reviews the branch's functions, including a budget, development of program goals, development of data, and development and implementation of policies and procedures for the effective and efficient management and operations of the clinic Eye Clinic Program.
• Provides the full range of clinical care that may require diagnosing visual and ocular problems through external and internal physical evaluation of the eye and adnexa.
• Provides emergency eye care with other physicians within the service unit when eye disease is concurrent with systemic disease.
• Refers and coordinates health care for patients requiring medical, surgical, and diagnostic services outside of the Service unit; coordinates patient transport for urgent/emergent ocular conditions.
• Provide departmental reports and performance improvement reports per service unit policy, i.e., Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) measures and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) requirements.
• Develops short and long-range program plans consistent with organizational policies; coordinates program with other health center clinics, departments, and administration.
• Responsible for submitting reports to administration documenting performance improvement activities in the eye clinic.
• Provide oversight and coordination of student and resident programs providing instruction and professional supervision for students, residents, and temporary staff.
• Provide advice, counsel, and instructions to employees on both work and administrative matters. Schedules work and approve leave for subordinates.
• Develops, implements, and revises employee performance standards to ensure consistency with appropriate job descriptions.
• Evaluates work performance of staff initiates actions for promotion, reassignment, status changes, performance awards, and disciplinary actions. Counsels employees regarding training and individual development plans.
• Follow Human Resources policies on EEO-related matters.
• Responsible for conducting and overseeing educational programs for patients, staff, and other providers.
• Maintain continuing education requirements for licensure.
• Assist in developing, implementing, and providing screening programs, Head Start, Kindergarten school screening, and diabetic retinopathy.
• Contribute to a team effort.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of department organization, functions, objectives, policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of the Tohono O'odham culture, customs, and traditions.
• Knowledge of legal regulations and confidentiality requirements, specifically to the Privacy Act of 1974 and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
• Ability to serve as an authoritative source of information for optometric practice in any phase of the optometry program.
• Professional optometric knowledge and skills in examining and analyzing the eye for disease or defects and prescribing correctional lenses or exercises.
• Knowledge of urgent/emergency ocular treatment.
• Skill in supervising, training, and evaluating assigned staff.
• Ability to communicate efficiently and effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships with other employees and the general public.
• Ability to deal with individuals from a variety of diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to exercise independently and use good judgment.
• Ability to research and gather relevant data on contracts, providers and programs.
• Ability to plan, assign and review the work of assigned personnel.
• Ability to maintain privileged, confidential information.
• Ability to work independently and meet strict timelines.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) accredited by the Council on Optometric Education, and
• Three (3) years of supervisory optometry experience.

Licenses, Certifications, Special Requirements:

• Must have a current license to practice optometry in a State, the District of Columbia, or territory is required.
• Upon recommendation for hire, a criminal background and a National FBI fingerprint check are required to determine suitability for employment, including a 39-month driving record.
• May require possessing and maintaining a valid driver's license (no DUIs or major traffic citations within the last three years).
• If required, must meet the Tohono O'odham Nation tribal employer's insurance requirements to receive a driver's permit to operate program vehicles.
• Based on the department's needs, incumbents may be required to demonstrate fluency in both the Tohono O'odham language and English as a condition of employment.