W. G. (BILL) HEFNER VA MEDICAL CENTER
SALISBURY , NORTH CAROLINA
affiliated with
SOUTHERN COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE
PROGRAM MISSION
The mission of the residency is to prepare optometrists to provide
full-scope primary care optometry by providing post-graduate clinical
experience beyond that provided in the Doctor of Optometry program.
Goal 1: Enhance the resident's
skills in optometric primary care
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Objective: |
The resident will develop a high degree of efficiency
in the provision of primary eye care services. |
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Outcome: |
The resident will provide primary eye care
services involving a minimum of 1000 patient encounters, 50% of which will
include obtaining a case history, visual acuity, refraction, tonometry, and external
and internal ocular health assessment during the encounter. |
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Measure: |
The resident will report monthly on the number of
patient encounters of this type using the patient encounter logs and summary
sheets. |
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Goal 2: Strengthen the resident's
expertise in the diagnosis and management of ocular disease.
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Objective 1: |
The resident will perform the appropriate
diagnostic procedures. |
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Outcome: |
The resident will consistently select and
successfully perform the proper diagnostic procedures for each patient. |
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Measure: |
The resident will be evaluated quarterly by the
supervisor to determine if the desired level of technical and cognitive
ability is being exhibited. |
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Objective 2: |
The resident will determine the correct diagnoses
for each patient. |
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Outcome: |
The resident will consistently select the correct
diagnosis for each patient with increasing independence as the residency
program progresses. |
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Measure: |
The resident will be evaluated quarterly by the
supervisor to assess the appropriateness of the resident's diagnostic
ability. |
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Objective 3: |
The resident will determine the best management
based on the diagnoses. |
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Outcome: |
The resident will consistently devise an
appropriate management plan for each patient in order to best address the
patient's needs. |
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Measure: |
The resident will be evaluated quarterly by the
supervisor to asses the resident's management skills. |
Goal 3: Expand the resident's
knowledge of specialized diagnostic instrumentation.
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Objective 1: |
The resident will develop expertise in performing
fundus photography. |
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Outcome: |
The resident will perform fundus photography on
at least 50 patients. |
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Measure: |
The resident will report monthly on the number of
patient encounters of this type using the patient encounter logs and summary
sheets. |
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Objective 2: |
The resident will develop expertise in performing and/or interpreting fluorescein
angiography.
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Outcome: |
The resident will photograph and interpret the
results of at least 40 patients undergoing fluorescein angiography over the
course of the year. |
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Measure: |
The resident will report monthly on the number of
patient encounters of this type using the patient encounter logs and summary
sheets. |
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Objective 3: |
The resident will develop expertise in ordering and/or interpreting relevant laboratory
procedures.
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Outcome: |
The resident will order and/or interpret
laboratory procedures on at least 30 patients. |
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Measure: |
The resident will report monthly on the number of
patient encounters of this type using the patient encounter logs and summary
sheets. |
Goal 4: Increase the resident's
knowledge of systemic diseases and their treatment.
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Objective: |
The resident will acquire additional knowledge of
systemic disease and treatment, particularly those systemic diseases with
significant ocular manifestations. |
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Outcome: |
The resident will coordinate care with
non-optometric providers in management of patients with systemic
disease. The resident will participate in relevant presentations and
conferences on systemic disease. |
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Measure: |
The resident will report monthly on the number of
patient encounters and participation in conferences of this type using the
patient encounter logs and summary sheets. |
Goal 5: Develop the resident's
skill in presenting topics to fellow professionals.
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Objective: |
The resident will acquire and practice skills
needed to effectively present information to other professionals in group
settings. |
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Outcome: |
The resident will give at least 7 presentations
over the course of the year at conferences, professional society meetings,
and other meetings held at the Hefner VAMC or the Southern College of
Optometry. The resident will prepare and submit for acceptance at least
one poster or lecture to a national optometric meeting, such as the American
Academy of Optometry or SECO. |
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Measure: |
The resident will report monthly on these types
of activities using the activity summary. |
Goal 6: Instill in the resident
an appreciation of the importance of scholarly activity.
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Objective: |
Educate the resident in the preparation of a
professional manuscript. |
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Outcome: |
The resident will prepare a publication-quality
manuscript on an approved topic. |
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Measure: |
The resident will complete the manuscript by the
designated completion date. |
CURRICULUM
The educational objectives of the curriculum are intended to ensure
attainment of the mission, goals, and objectives of the program.
Consequently, each educational objective reflects a specific program goal.
Specifically:
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Program Goal 1 |
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Objective: |
The resident will develop a high degree of
efficiency in the provision of primary eye care services. |
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Learning Activity: |
The resident will provide primary eye care
services involving a minimum of 1000 patient encounters, 50% of which will
include obtaining a case history, visual acuity, refraction, tonometry, and
external and internal ocular health assessment during the encounter. |
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Outcome: |
The resident will develop enhanced skills in the
management of primary eye care patients. |
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Program Goal 2 |
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Objective: |
The resident's ocular disease-related diagnostic
skills will be enhanced. |
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Learning Activity: |
The resident will provide services to a
significant number of patients with ocular disease and will formulate a
diagnosis based on the results of the procedures performed. |
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Outcome: |
The resident will become highly proficient in the
performance and interpretation of basic and advanced ocular examination
techniques on patients with ocular disease, and will attain advanced skills
in the management of these patients. |
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Program Goal 3 |
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Objective: |
The resident will utilize a wide variety of
diagnostic procedures and instrumentation while caring for patients. |
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Learning Activity: |
The resident will perform and/or interpret fundus
photography, fluorescein angiography and relevant laboratory procedures. |
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Outcome: |
The resident will develop advanced knowledge of
specialized diagnostic procedures and instrumentation. |
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Program Goal 4 |
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Objective: |
The resident will acquire additional knowledge of
systemic disease and treatment, particularly those systemic diseases with
significant ocular manifestations. |
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Learning Activity: |
The resident will provide eye care to a large
number of patients with systemic disease and will consult with non-optometric
providers in the total care of these patients. |
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Outcome: |
The resident will be able to communicate
effectively with physicians in the co management of patients who have
systemic disease that impacts their ocular health. |
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Program Goal 5 |
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Objective: |
The resident will develop and present original
presentations to other health care professionals. |
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Learning Activity: |
The resident will give at least 7 presentations
over the course of the year at conferences, professional society meetings,
and other meetings held at the Hefner VAMC or the Southern College of
Optometry. The resident will prepare and submit for acceptance at least
one poster or lecture to a national optometric meeting, such as the American
Academy of Optometry or SECO. |
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Outcome: |
The resident will develop skills in providing
effective presentations to health care professionals. |
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Program Goal 6 |
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Objective: |
The resident will engage in scholarly activity. |
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Learning Activity: |
The resident will prepare a publication-quality
manuscript on an approved topic that will be reviewed and critiqued by the
supervisor. |
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Outcome: |
The resident will develop an appreciation for
scholarly activity and its importance to the profession. |
APPLICATION AND SELECTION
PROCEDURES
A. All applicants must complete
and return the Southern College of Optometry application forms and supporting
documents by January 15. This program uses the Optometric Residency
Matching Service. Applicants must complete the ORMS application and
forward it to the ORMS as directed in the application. All application
materials must be submitted to the Director of Residency Programs of Southern
College of Optometry and to the program supervisor at the W. G. (Bill)
Hefner VAMC. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all
supporting documentation is submitted to each entity involved, e.g., the
College, ORMS, and the residency site.
B. Applicant must have earned an
O.D. degree, or will have earned such a degree by the time of matriculation
from an accredited school/college of optometry.
C. Applicant will furnish an official
transcript from his/her school/college of optometry.
D. Applicant must pass all parts of the
National Board of Examiners in Optometry examinations and furnish official
transcripts when available.
E. Three letters of
recommendation are required.
F. A brief essay stating reasons
for applying to this program.
G. A personal interview is required.
H. Southern College of Optometry
affirms that all residency candidates will be evaluated without regard to sex,
race, color, creed, national origin or disabilities.
LETTER OF INTENT
All applicants selected for admission must sign a
standard letter of intent.
DURATION OF RESIDENCY
Each residency is one calendar year in length, typically
commencing on July 1st.
EXPECTED WEEKLY HOURS
Each resident works an 80 hour tour every two
weeks. The current tour is 8:00 am
to 4:30 pm Monday thru Friday.
There are no required on-call hours, but there may be a rare occasion
where a resident will see a follow-up patient with an attending during off-tour
(e.g., for inpatients admitted with an ocular diagnosis).
RESIDENT COMPENSATION
A residency stipend will be provided for the year
of training paid by W. G. (Bill) Hefner VAMC and the Office of Academic
Affiliations. The stipend is currently $31,965 and is not contingent on
productivity. Additional benefits such as FICA and insurance are also
funded.
LEAVE POLICY
The resident is eligible for annual leave according
to VAMC policy. This equates to 4 hours of Annual Leave and 4 hours of sick
leave per two-week pay period. The
resident is also eligible for Authorized Absence to attend approved professional
meetings. This time will not be
counted against annual or sick leave balances. Annual and educational
leave is granted with prior approval of the VA Residency Supervisor and the
Chief of Optometry Service.
PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY PROTECTION
Professional
liability protection for residents for work done at the W. G. (Bill) Hefner
VAMC is provided under the Federal Tort claims act.
STATUS OF THE RESIDENT
A. The resident is defined as an
employee of the W. G. (Bill) Hefner VAMC and the residency stipend is paid by
the VAMC. No tuition or fees are applicable.
B. The resident should apply for
optometric license in at least one of the fifty states prior to or during the
residency.
C. Professional liability protection
for residents for work done at the W. G. (Bill) Hefner VAMC is provided under
the Federal Tort claims act.
D. Residents will have access to
Southern College of Optometry facilities such as the library.
CRITERIA FOR COMPLETION OF
RESIDENCY
A. The resident is required to deliver
clinical services at a level that is satisfactory to the VA Residency
Supervisor, the Residency Committee, Director of Residency Programs, and the
SCO and Hefner VAMC administrations. Normal resident clinic hours are
from 8:00 A.M. until patient care is completed, usually around 4:30P.M., Monday
through Friday. The resident is expected to be present for assigned
clinical sessions, except when attending conferences or undertaking other
approved scholastic activities. The resident will not be required to be
on call on a regular basis, but with prior notice may occasionally be asked to
take call (e.g., for inpatients admitted with an ocular diagnosis).
B. The resident is required to
keep a record of patient contacts. All records will be reviewed by the
assigned attending optometrist.
C. The resident is required to write a
publication quality paper or to complete an original research project as
approved by the Supervisor.
D. The resident is expected to perform
in a professional manner in the delivery of patient care services and to
observe those proprieties of conduct and courtesies that are consistent with
the rules and regulations governing the W. G. (Bill) Hefner VAMC.
E. The resident is required to
participate in and complete the requirements set forth in the curriculum.
F. Upon successful completion of
the Residency Program, the VA Residency Supervisor and the Director of
Residency Programs will recommend the granting of certification to the Vice
President of Academic Affairs.
H. Any resident accepted for training
can be dismissed, without receiving a certificate of completion, for
infractions of the rules and regulations of the W. G. (Bill) Hefner VAMC or
those set forth by Southern College of Optometry, or for any action which jeopardizes
the safety of patients, personnel, or physical facilities.
OTHER EMPLOYMENT
Resident moonlighting is permitted during the
residency year as long as it does not interfere with any portion of the
program's mission, goals and objectives. The moonlighting should only occur
outside of the resident's normal duty hours.
OTHER EMPLOYMENT
Resident moonlighting is permitted during the
residency year as long as it does not
ACCREDITATION
The residency program at the W. G. (Bill) Hefner
VAMC is accredited by the Council on Optometric Education, 243 N. Lindbergh
Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141, 314-991-4100.
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION
Upon satisfying all the requirements for completion
of the program as determined by the Supervisor of the Residency Program and the
Director of the Residency Programs, a Certificate of Completion will be awarded
to the resident by Southern College of Optometry.
REPORTING STATUS
The resident reports to the VA Residency
Supervisor. The VA Residency Supervisor reports directly to the SCO
Director of Residency Programs who in turn reports directly to the Vice
President of Clinical Programs at Southern College of Optometry.
FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Cheryl E. Ervin, O.D.
Director of Residencies
Southern College of Optometry
1245 Madison Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104
Office: (901) 722-3201
Fax: (901) 722-3325
email: cervin@sco.edu