Children's Hospital Colorado

 

PROGRAM MISSION

The pediatric optometry specialty care residency at Children's Hospital Colorado offers a multi-specialty, high-volume, progressive learning environment involving pediatric eye care. Residents will become proficient in all aspects of pediatric optometry including primary care, contact lens, binocular vision and diagnosis and treatment of ocular pathology. Due to the sub-specialty nature of a pediatric hospital, understanding co-management of multi-system anomalies and peri-operative care is included. In addition to managing their personal clinic schedule, the optometric resident will be expected to consult with in-hospital specialists, as well as communicate and co-manage with local health care providers, laboratories, and child service agencies.
 

PROGRAM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

 

Goal 1: Enhance the resident’s skills in the provision of pediatric optometric eye and vision care

Objective 1: The resident will develop a high degree of competency in the provision of pediatric optometric services.

Outcome: The resident will provide optometric services involving a minimum of 1000 patient encounters for patients ages 18 years and younger.

Measure: The resident will report the number of patient encounters of this type using the activity log.


Objective 2: The resident will develop advanced competency in providing visual care to a diversified patient population.

Outcome: The resident will perform a minimum of 500 comprehensive visual examinations on patients 0-18 years of age.

Measure: The resident will report the number and age of patient encounters using the activity log.


Objective 3: The resident will gain experience in the treatment of ocular disease in pediatric patients.

Outcome: The resident will experience a minimum of 150 acute ocular disease-related patient encounters involving patients age 18 years and younger.

Measure: The resident will report the number and age of patient encounters using the activity log.

 

Goal 2: Strengthen the resident’s expertise in the diagnosis and management of vision problems in pediatric patients.

Objective 1: The resident will perform the appropriate diagnostic procedures.

Outcome: The resident will consistently select and successfully perform the proper diagnostic procedures for each patient.

Measure: The resident will be evaluated quarterly by the supervisor to determine if the desired level of technical and cognitive ability is being exhibited.


Objective 2: The resident will determine the correct diagnoses for each patient.

Outcome: The resident will consistently select the correct diagnosis for each patient with increasing independence as the residency program progresses.

Measure: The resident will be evaluated quarterly by the supervisor to assess the appropriateness of the resident’s diagnostic ability.


Objective 3: The resident will determine the best management for each patient.

Outcome: The resident will consistently devise an appropriate management plan for each patient in order to best address the patient’s needs.

Measure: The resident will be evaluated quarterly by the supervisor to assess the resident’s management skills.

 

Goal 3: Expand the resident’s knowledge of binocular and developmental vision problems.

Objective 1: The resident will gain experience in managing patients with congenital visual developmental deficits.

Outcome: The resident will evaluate and manage a minimum of 100 patients with congenital visual developmental deficits.

Measure: The resident will report the number of patient encounters of this type using the activity log.


Objective 2: The resident will gain experience in managing patients with accommodative and/or vergence disorders.

Outcome: The resident will evaluate and manage a minimum of 50 patients with accommodative and non-strabismic vergence disorders.

Measure: The resident will report the number of patient encounters of this type using the activity log.


Objective 3: The resident will gain experience in managing patients with strabismus.

Outcome: The resident will evaluate and manage a minimum of 100 patients with strabismus.

Measure: The resident will report the number of patient encounters of this type using the activity log.


Objective 4: The resident will gain experience in managing patients with amblyopia.

Outcome: The resident will evaluate and manage a minimum of 100 patients with amblyopia.

Measure: The resident will report the number of patient encounters of this type using the activity log.

 

Goal 4: Develop the resident’s skill in presenting topics to resident professionals.

Objective: The resident will acquire and practice skills needed to effectively present information to other professionals in group settings.

Outcome: The resident will present at least one lecture during the annual Residency Conference and when possible will present posters or lectures in other settings such as the AAO, AOA, HOACLS, COVD, Mountain West and/or SECO.

Measure: The resident will report these types of activities using the activity summary.

 

Goal 5: Instill in the resident an appreciation of the importance of scholarly activity.

Objective: Educate the resident in the preparation of a professional manuscript.

Outcome: The resident will prepare a publication-quality manuscript on an approved topic.

Measure: The resident will complete the manuscript by the designated completion date.

 

 

 

CURRICULUM

 

Program Goal 1

Objective: Enhance the resident’s skills in the provision of pediatric optometric services

Learning Activity: The resident will maintain a personal clinical schedule examining patient’s younger than18 years of age, as well as observe or assist CHCO optometry/ophthalmology faculty.

Outcome: The resident will become highly skilled in optometric care of pediatric patients regardless of the patient’s age or diagnosis.
 

Program Goal 2

Objective: Strengthen the resident’s expertise in the diagnosis and management of medically related vision problems in pediatric patients.

Learning Activity: The resident will perform/order/interpret appropriate diagnostic procedures, make correct diagnoses, and implement management plans for pediatric patients with regular assessment and feedback from the program supervisor.

Outcome: The resident will develop advanced skills regarding the diagnosis and management of medically related vision problems in pediatric patients.
 

Program Goal 3

Objective: Expand the resident’s knowledge of visual deficits caused by refractive, accommodative or convergence etiologies.

Learning Activities: The resident will provide care to patients with accommodative dysfunction, non-strabismic disorders of binocular vision, strabismus, amblyopia, and oculomotor dysfunction.
The resident will consult with and/or co-manage patients with non-vision care specialists at CHCO.

Outcome: The resident will develop advanced competency in managing patients with vision deficits relating to refractive, accommodative or convergence etiologies.
 

Program Goal 4

Objective: Develop the resident’s skill in presenting topics to resident professionals.

Learning Activity: The resident will present at least one lecture during the annual Residency Conference and when possible will present posters or lectures in other settings such as the AAO, AOA, HOACLS, Mountain West and/or SECO.

Outcome: The resident will develop enhanced effectiveness at presenting topics to other health care professionals.
 

Program Goal 5

Objective: Instill in the resident an appreciation of the importance of scholarly activity.

Learning Activity: The resident will prepare a publication-quality manuscript on an approved topic.

Outcome: The resident will gain additional experience in the preparation of a publication quality manuscript.
 

 

 

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

A.   All applicants must complete and return application forms by January 30 (SCO Online Residency Application). Supporting documents should be submitted to the Director of Residency Programs of Southern College of Optometry no later than January 30. This program uses the Optometry Residency Match. Applicants must complete the ORMatch application at https://natmatch.com/ormatch/. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all supporting documentation is submitted to each entity involved, e.g., Children’s Hospital Colorado, ORMatch and the Director of Residency Programs at SCO.

In order to take part in the Match you must have passed NBEO Part I, Part II (PAM) and TMOD. Those applying to a VA hospital or a state that does not require TMOD to obtain licensure are an exception if TMOD is not passed on first attempt.

B.   Applicant must have earned an O.D. degree, or will have earned such a degree by the time of matriculation from a school/college of optometry accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education.

C.   Applicant will furnish an official transcript from his/her school/college of optometry. An applicant should have a cumulative grade point average greater than 3.00 on a 4.00 scale in the professional optometric curriculum.

D.   Applicant must pass all parts of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry, all examinations required for Colorado licensure and furnish official transcripts when available. If accepted, the resident is expected to obtain a Colorado optometry license prior to the July 1.

E.   Three letters of recommendation are required. It is requested that one of the letters come from someone outside the profession of optometry/ophthalmology.

F.   A brief essay stating reasons for applying to this program.

G.   If one of the finalists, you will be invited for a personal interview by the residency selection committee.

H.   Children’s Hospital Colorado and Southern College of Optometry affirm that no person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity at or affiliated with Southern College of Optometry on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, disability, or national origin.
 

OTHER EMPLOYMENT

Additional employment (moonlighting) during the tenure of this residency is not permitted without the consent of the Children’s Hospital Colorado residency director.
 

STIPEND AND BENEFITS

The residency program is one calendar year in length from August 1 to July 31. The stipend is $40,000 and will be paid out on an every two week basis. Compensation is not contingent upon productivity of the resident.

Benefits associated with this appointment are defined in the policies of the Children's Hospital Colorado. The resident will be given the opportunity to purchase health insurance through the Payroll and Benefits Service Center. If the resident should choose to decline, proof of health insurance coverage must be provided.
 

LEAVE POLICY

Fifteen days of vacation are provided to the resident. These days include those on which the involved clinics are normally closed: New Year’s day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving (and the Friday following), and Dec. 24th, 25th and 26th. If the clinic is closed, provision of these vacation days is automatic and does not require approval or submission of a leave request form. The resident may be required to provide on-call services during some of these days. The additional five vacation days can be used at the resident’s discretion, but they must be requested sixty (60) days in advance so that scheduling changes can be accommodated. In addition to the aforementioned vacation days, the resident will not be expected to see patient’s if/when the residency director is not in clinic.

Five days of educational leave are provided. These days are intended to allow the resident to attend meetings pertaining to his/her residency training. The resident must submit a request in advance to attend educational/professional meetings. The supervisor will then approve or disapprove the request. If the request is approved by the supervisor the leave request form is forwarded to the Director of Residency Programs (DRP), who is responsible for tracking the resident’s leave balance. If the resident has a leave balance sufficient to cover the request, the DRP will approve the request and forward the appropriate copies of the form to the resident and the supervisor. The resident and supervisor are responsible for notifying Daniel E. Smith, OD (CHCO Optometric Residency Supervisor) and/or Debbie Childress, (Director of Clinical Operations) of the days that the resident will not be available to provide clinical services.

The resident should understand that any on-call duties may be concurrent with some expected leave days. Residents should plan ahead and consult with the residency supervisor of the on-call service, or added assignments, to avoid conflicts.

Children’s Hospital Colorado does not provide funding for meeting registration, housing or transportation costs for the resident. Therefore, it is encouraged that travel grants/scholarships provided by the specific meeting (AOA, AAO, etc) be applied for in advance.
 

ON-CALL SERVICE POLICY

The On-Call schedule for optometric residents is limited. This service will only be required if the need arises or specifically requested by the Chief of the Pediatric Ophthalmology service. “On-Call” shall be defined as the period of time for which the resident is responsible for responding to urgent/emergent after-hours calls or those calls which may come during regular business hours that cannot be immediately attended to by faculty.
 

RESEARCH

The resident will assist in any on-going laboratory and/or clinical investigation(s) initiated by CHCO faculty members. The resident will also be encouraged to generate their own studies/seminal work, but it will not be required for successful completion of their residency program.
 

CRITERIA FOR COMPLETION OF RESIDENCY

A.  The resident is required to deliver clinical services at a level which is satisfactory to the CHCO Residency Supervisor and SCO Director of Residency Programs. Approximately 40 hours per week will be assigned. After hours on-call assignments may be made on an as-needed basis.
B.  The resident will be required to keep a record of patient contacts. Cases will be reviewed periodically by the Supervisor of the Residency Program, the Director of Residency Programs, and the Residency Committee when appropriate.
C.  The resident will be required to write a publication quality paper based on original research, literature review, or a clinical case.
D.  The resident will be required to deliver an oral presentation at the annual Resident Weekend, held on the campus at SCO.
E.  The resident will be 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 specific clinic locations and Southern College of Optometry.
F.  The resident will be required to participate in and complete the requirements set forth in the curriculum.
G.  Upon successful completion of the Residency Program, the Residency Supervisor and the Director of Residency Programs will recommend the granting of certification to the Vice President of Academic Affairs at Southern College of Optometry.
H.  Any resident accepted for training can be dismissed, without receiving a certificate of completion, for infractions of the rules and regulations of Children's Hospital Colorado or Southern College of Optometry, or for any action which jeopardizes the safety of patients, personnel, or physical facilities.

A resident rotating through a hospital based (or similar) residency program must adhere to all facility policies and procedures, including but not limited to, receiving all required immunizations or showing appropriate medical documentation that he/she is in full medical compliance with required immunizations.  In addition, if a resident cannot receive a flu or similar immunization due to potential allergic reaction, medical documentation must be made available to the Program Supervisor prior to the program's start date.  A resident should receive the required immunizations provided by the facility when appropriate.  Otherwise, any costs incurred will be the resident's responsibility.  Any grievances should be submitted in writing to SCO's Director for Residency Programs utilizing the procedures found in the Residency Handbook.
 

ACCREDITATION

The CHCO Pediatric Optometry Specialty Care Residency program is pending accreditation by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association, 243 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141, 314-991-4100.
 

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION

Upon evidence of satisfactory performance in meeting all requirements of the program, the resident will be awarded a Certificate of Completion.
 

REPORTING STATUS

The resident reports to the Supervisor of the residency program. The Supervisor reports directly to the SCO Director of Residency Programs who in turn reports directly to the Vice President of Academic Affairs at Southern College of Optometry.