Senior Clinical Optometrist

The role of an Optometrist in our department involves a variety of responsibilities. Key among these is assessing the visual functions of patients prior to and after consultation with ophthalmologists.

Optometrists work closely with other healthcare professionals, utilizing various equipment and instruments in their duties.

• Roles & Responsibilities:
• Perform subjective refraction for patients with refractive error, including post-cataract operation.
• Measure axial length (A scan) and corneal curvature (keratometry) of the eye for calculation of suitable power for intraocular lens used during cataract operation.
• Perform ultrasound scan (B scan) for patients with central opacity that disallow ophthalmologists from viewing fundus.
• Perform visual field assessment using Humphrey Visual Field.
• Perform binocular vision (BV) assessment using HESS chart and other BV tools.
• Perform anterior segment photography for anterior cases including lens opacity, pterygium, corneal opacity, etc.
• Perform oculoplastic photography on patients who suffer from trauma, or other conditions affecting oculomotor movement.
• Perform fundus photography for vitreo-retinal cases, as well as other cases requiring fundus examination and monitoring.
• Prepare and perform angiographies using sodium fluorescein and indocyanine green dyes, when indicated by Ophthalmologists in Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences.
• Perform Optical Coherence Tomography for patients requiring macular thickness scans and optic nerve fibre layer assessment, using Zeiss-Cirrus as well as Heidelberg-HRA.
• Perform anterior segment OCT, endothelial cell count and corneal topography on patients to check their corneal integrity.
• Perform dilated fundus examination using 78D and 90D lens with slit-lamp; as well as 20D lens using binocular indirect ophthalmoscope.
• Function as clinical optometrist and physician extender in Supplementary Primary Eyecare Clinic (SPEC) for stable eye patients in department.
• Function as clinical optometrist in Community & Home Eye Screening Service (CHESS), ensuring appropriate care and screening in community and avoiding unnecessary hospital visits (Beyond Hospital to Community).
• Perform Diabetic Retinopathy Photography (DRP) on diabetic patients requiring regular eye screening.
• Maintain equipment in Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences to ensure they are in working order and according to standards.

Key Performance Indicators:

1. Efficient operations of SOC in alignment with hospital's strategic plans.
2. Patient services delivered in pleasant and comfortable environment.
3. Frontline staff achieving excellent service for all patients.
4. Service discrepancies identified and process improvements implemented.
5. New service initiatives designed and set up, along with patient-centric work processes.
6. Event management: Meetings, seminars, screenings, education programmes, public forums, etc.
7. Optimum utilisation of clinic sessions and resources.
8. Clinical and surgical attachment schedules organised and arranged for local and international optometry students.
9. Efficient operations and future development of SPEC.
10. Efficient operations and future development of CHESS.
11. Efficient operations and future development of DRP service.

Operational Responsibilities:

• Monthly roster prepared and leave arrangement planned for Optometrists, Imaging Specialists, Opticians and Ophthalmic Technicians.
• Staff appropriately deployed for investigation coverage.
• Investigation rooms adhering to 5S housekeeping standards.
• Training of new allied health staff supervised and staff development promoted.
• Orientation and induction programme conducted for new allied health staff to clinics.
• Continuous improvement embraced as way of life, refining work performance daily.
• Medical students trained and assessed on clinical attachments to department.

General Responsibilities:

• Participation in activities for smooth running of department.
• Continuing education/in-service attended regularly to maintain competency.
• Safe and clean environment maintained, with equipment in good order.
• Other duties requested by Nursing Officer, Principal Optometrist, Senior Optometrist and Ophthalmologists performed.