Orthoptist

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Incumbent, in adjunctive capacity with the pediatric ophthalmologists, will assume responsibility for diagnostic and therapeutic visual assessment of children and adults with strabismus, amblyopia, diplopia and disturbances of binocular visual function. These conditions may be secondary to retinal detachment, cataracts, optical imbalance, neurological disorders and/or systemic disease. The orthoptist is expert in the visual assessment of non-verbal patients and is skilled in the performance of diagnostic tests to evaluate visual function. Employed as a physician extender to aid in the expansion of services for the ophthalmologist.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:

1. Bachelor’s degree

2. Certified Orthoptist through the American Association of Certified Orthoptists

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

EXPERIENCE:

1. One (1) year of experience

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position.  They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties.  Other duties may be assigned.

1. Obtain and record accurate patient histories to include chief complaint, present ocular status, ocular history, and family history, past and present medical history, medications and allergies.

2. Obtain and accurately record visual acuity measurements on adults, children, illiterate patients and infants.

3. Accurately measure and record spectacle prescriptions, deal with patient complaints, measure base curves, optical centers, prism of spectacles using both manual and automated devices.

4. Performance of tonometry in measurement of intraocular pressures using a variety of measuring devices.

5. Accurately perform and record refractometry on a variety of patients using retinoscopy, autorefraction, manifest techniques, and over refractions.

6. Performance of extraocular muscle testing to include, Titmus stereo test, Krimsky and Hirschberg measurements, Worth 4-Dot testing, cover-cross cover, cover-uncover testing and simultaneous prism cover testing to elicit muscle imbalances, accurate measurements and recording of muscle imbalances in primary, secondary and tertiary positions of gaze,  accurate assessment, accommodation and convergence including fusimal amplitudes and identification of syndromes and dysfunctions associated with extra-ocular muscles.

7. Perform and accurately record color vision screening and diagnostic testing (Ishihara color plates, D-15 and Farnsworth Munsell 100 hue).

8. Perform and accurately described pupillary function as to light and accommodation, describing specific abnormalities to include afferent defects, anisocoria, hippus, Adie's, surgical abnormalities, etc.

9. Conduct and accurately record confrontation visual fields.

10. Assessment and recording of findings related to oculoplastics patients to include measurement of vertical lis fissures, ptosis measurements, description and measurement of proptosis enophthalmos, thyroid eye disease muscle imbalances, etc. as directed by the physician.

11. Evaluation, diagnostic testing and recording of information for neuro-ophthalmology patients to include pursuit and saccadic eye movements, one-meter, two-meter tangent screen testing, corneal sensitivity, pupil abnormalities, etc. as directed by the physician. 

12. Application and isnt5ruction of use for occlusive therapy as directed by physicians(s).

13. Under the direct supervision of a physician, instill ocular preparations as required including solutions, suspensions, ointments, disclosing agents, diagnostic agents and therapeutic agents.

14. Initiation of special separate orthoptics clinic for patient instruction and visual training as necessary and directed.

15. Assist in the education and training of residents, medical students, technical students and other assigned personnel in pediatric ophthalmology activities as required.

16. Assist in the formal education of technical students as assigned; this includes didactic presentation and clinical skills teaching and supervision.

17. Frequent internal communication with departmental employees, faculty physicians, residents/fellows, the pharmacy, various labs, nursing personnel and appointments and/or reception personnel.  Also likely to have frequent personal and telephone contact with patients and their families.

18. Occasional contact with outside vendors, clinical trials/study sponsors, referring physicians and their staffs.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Occasional heavy lifting is required (patient assistance) and the ability to move ophthalmic equipment is frequent (most items are on rolling stands). 

2. Position requires standing for long intervals and frequent walking.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Work environment is normal clinical setting.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Planning skills are moderate and consist mainly of anticipation of clinic needs or changes.  Some planning needed for the educational responsibilities assigned for resident physicians and technical students (formal and informal). 

2. Analytical skills included technical aspects of patient examination skills, suggestions for improvement of clinical scheduling, gathering and interpretation of data for purposes of process improvement, data gathering for physicians in the clinical arena, relay of that information to the physician and aid in pursuing the courses of action directed by the physician required for patient care activities.

Additional Job Description:

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Shift:

Day (United States of America)

Exempt/Non-Exempt:

United States of America (Exempt)

Company:

WVUH West Virginia University Hospitals

Cost Center:

8140 WVUH Ophthalmology

Address:

980 Van Voorhis Road

Morgantown

West Virginia

Equal Opportunity Employer

 

West Virginia University Health System and its subsidiaries (collectively "WVUHS") is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. WVUHS strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. All WVUHS employees, other workers, and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.