Program Policies

 

 

 

PROGRAM MISSION

The mission of Salem VAMC Residency in Ocular Disease, with Emphasis in Primary Care Optometry is to prepare optometrists for the provision of comprehensive primary optometric care for the adult patient by providing post-graduate clinical experience and facilitating clinical acumen beyond that attained in the Doctor of Optometry program via the enhancement of diagnostic and management skills, experience in collaborative management of systemic disease in a multidisciplinary setting, and the provision of a post-graduate didactic and scholarly education program.

PROGRAM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

GOAL 1:  Enhance the resident’s examination skills in optometric primary care.

Objective 1: The resident will develop a high degree of efficiency in the provision of primary eye care services.

Outcome: The resident will provide primary eye care services involving a minimum of 1000 patient encounters, 50% of which will include ophthalmic evaluation and management sufficient for justifying Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) codes of 92004, 92014, 99204, 99205, 99214, 99215, 99244 or 99245.

Measure: A report on the number of patient encounters of this type will be generated using the SCO activity log.

          

GOAL 2: Strengthen the resident’s expertise in the diagnosis and management of refractive, physiological and pathological conditions: of the eye and adnexa.

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: All resident charts will be reviewed on a daily basis by clinic faculty. At least semiannual audits of 5% of the residents' charts will be conducted by the Program Supervisor or other clinic faculty.  The residents' skills will be assessed based on these chart reviews and by direct observation.

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: All resident charts will be reviewed on a daily basis by clinic faculty.  At least semiannual audits of 5% of the residents' charts will be conducted by the Program Supervisor or other clinic faculty.  The residents' skills will be assessed based on these chart reviews and by direct observation.

Objective 3: The resident will determine the best management based on the diagnoses.

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

Measure: All resident charts will be reviewed on a daily basis by clinic faculty.  At least semiannual audits of 5% of the residents' charts will be conducted by the Program Supervisor or other clinic faculty.  The residents' skills will be assessed based on these chart reviews and by direct observation.

 

GOAL 3: Expand the resident’s knowledge of specialized diagnostic instrumentation.

Objective 1: The resident will gain experience in performing ophthalmic (fundus and/or anterior segment) photography.

Outcome: The resident will perform ophthalmic photography on at least 10 patients.

Measure: A report on the number of patient encounters of this type will be generated using the SCO activity log.

Objective 2: The resident will gain experience in ordering and interpreting relevant laboratory and radiological procedures.

Outcome: The resident will order laboratory and radiological procedures on at least 10 patients.

Measure: The resident will report on the number of his/her patient encounters for which laboratory or radiological studies were ordered or interpreted using the SCO activity log.  Appropriate interpretation of such studies will be evaluated by chart review.  All resident charts will be reviewed on a daily basis by clinic faculty. At least semiannual audits of 5% of the residents' charts will be conducted by the Program Supervisor or other faculty.  The residents' skills will be assessed based on these chart reviews and by direct observation. 

Objective 3: The resident will gain experience in prescribing low vision devices for patients with visual impairment.

Outcome: The resident will evaluate at least 10 patients with visual impairment, determine appropriate low vision aids or other assistive devices, and educate patients regarding their use.

Measure: A report on the number of patient encounters of this type will be generated using the SCO activity log.

Objective 4: The resident will gain experience in performing retinal and optic nerve diagnostic imaging.

Outcome: The resident will participate in complete a workshop and demonstrate proficiency in the performance and interpretation of fluorescein angiography.  The resident will order and interpret other diagnostic retinal and optic nerve testing, such as Optical Coherence Tomography.

Measure: A report on the number of patient encounters of this type will be generated using the SCO activity log.  

          

GOAL 4: Increase the resident’s knowledge of systemic diseases and their treatment.

Objective: The resident will acquire additional knowledge of systemic disease and treatment, particularly those systemic diseases with significant ocular manifestations.

Outcome: The resident will gain knowledge and experience through interprofessional collaboration via rotations through at least 5 medical specialties.

Measure: The resident will record medicine rotations using the SCO activity log.

          

GOAL 5: Develop the resident’s skills in presenting topics to fellow 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 five lectures during didactic/scholastic meetings of the eye clinic or other health care providers. The resident will, when possible, also present posters or lectures in other settings such as meetings of the American Academy of Optometry, American Optometric Assiociation, SECO or Southern College of Optometry's Residents' Weekend.

Measure:  The resident will report on these types of activities using the SCO activity log.
 

GOAL 6: 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

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:

Program Goal 1

Objective: The resident will develop a high degree of efficiency in the provision of primary eye care services.

Learning Activity: The resident will provide primary eye care services involving a minimum of 1000 patient encounters, 50% of which will include ophthalmic evaluation and management sufficient for justifying Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes of 92004, 92014, 99204, 99205, 99214, 99215, 99244 or 99245.

Outcome: The resident will develop enhanced skills in the management of primary eye care patients.

 

Program Goal 2

Objective: The resident’s expertise in the diagnosis and management of refractive, physiologic and pathologic conditions of the eye and adnexa will be enhanced.

Learning Activity: The resident will provide services to a significant number of patients with refractive, physiologic and pathologic conditions of the eye, and will formulate a diagnosis based on the results of the procedures performed.

Outcome: The resident will become highly proficient in the performance and interpretation of basic and advanced ocular examination techniques on patients with complex ocular anomalies and disease, and will attain advanced skills in the management of these patients.

 

Program Goal 3

Objective: The resident will utilize a wide variety of diagnostic procedures and instrumentation while caring for patients.

Learning Activity: The resident will perform and/or interpret ophthalmic photography and relevant laboratory and radiological procedures.

Outcome: The resident will develop advanced knowledge of specialized diagnostic procedures and instrumentation.

 

Program Goal 4

Objective: The resident will acquire additional knowledge of systemic disease and treatment, particularly those systemic diseases with significant ocular manifestations.

Learning Activity: The resident will gain knowledge and experience through interprofessional collaboration via rotations through at least 5 medical specialties.

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.

 

Program Goal 5

Objective: The resident will develop and present original presentations to other health care professionals.

Learning Activity: The resident will present at least five lectures during didactic/scholastic meetings of the eye clinic or other health care providers.  The resident will, when possible, also present posters or lectures in other settings such as meetings of the American Academy of Optometry, American Optometric Association, SECO or Southern College of Optometry's Residents' Weekend.

Outcome: The resident will develop skills in providing effective presentations to health care professionals.

 

Program Goal 6

Objective: The resident will engage in scholarly activity.

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

Outcome: The resident will develop an appreciation for scholarly activity and its importance to the profession.
  

 

 

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

A.  All applicants must complete the SCO application. All applicants must complete the Optometry Residency Match (ORMatch), and provide all required supporting documentation by the deadline of January 30 to be considered for an SCO program.

1. You must have already passed NBEO Part I, II and TMOD in order to apply to one of our programs through ORMatch.
2. You must have passed NBEO Part III and ISE (if applicable) in order to begin an SCO affiliated residency program.
3. 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 a transcript to ORMatch from his/her school/college of optometry. 

D. Applicant must pass all parts of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry examinations required for state licensure. If accepted, the resident is expected to obtain the appropriate state license.

E. A personal interview will be required.

F. The College affirms 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.

 

LETTER OF INTENT

All applicants selected for admission must sign a standard letter of intent.

 

LENGTH OF RESIDENCY

Each residency is one calendar year in length, commencing July first.

 

LEAVE POLICY

The resident is eligible for 104 hours annual leave and 104 hours sick leave. The resident is also eligible for educational leave to attend approved professional meetings.  Annual and educational leave is granted with prior approval of the Supervisor in conjunction with the SCO Director of Residency Programs.

 

STATUS OF THE RESIDENT

A.   The resident is defined as an employee of the Salem 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 the beginning of the residency.

C.  Professional liability protection for residents for professional activity performed at the Salem VAMC is provided under the Federal Tort claims act. Professional activity at other Southern College of Optometry affiliated clinics is covered under the College policy.

D.  Residents will be required to present credentials according to the Salem VAMC policy for credentialing of residents.

E.  Residents privileges will be determined by Salem VA policy.

 

CRITERIA FOR COMPLETION OF RESIDENCY

A.   The resident is required to deliver clinical services at a level that is satisfactory to the Residency Supervisor, Director of Residency Programs, and the SCO and Salem VAMC administrations.  The resident’s on-duty hours are from 6:45am until 5:15pm Tuesday through Friday.  The resident is expected to be present in the clinic during all scheduled working hours, except when attending or delivering lectures or doing study or research.  The resident is expected to be on-call approximately one weekend per month or at the discretion of the program supervisor.

B.  The resident is required to keep a record of patient contacts.  The Supervisor of the Residency Program and the Director of Residency Programs will review cases periodically.

C.  The resident is 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 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 Salem VAMC.

F.  The resident is 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.

H.  Any resident accepted for training can be dismissed, without receiving a certificate of completion, for infractions of the rules and regulations of the Salem VAMC or those set forth by 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.

 

STIPEND

A residency stipend will be provided for the year of training paid by Salem VAMC.  Effective July 1, 2023, the stipend is $43,924. Compensation is not contingent upon productivity of the resident. Additional benefits such as FICA and insurance are also funded.

 

HEALTH INSURANCE

The resident will have the opportunity to purchase health insurance through the VA. The resident may also purchase life insurance through the VA.

 

OTHER EMPLOYMENT

Other employment (moonlighting) is permitted under the condition that it does not interfere with any program responsibilities including completion of written assignments. Any hours of moonlighting must in no way conflict with the hours of duty assigned to the resident. Moonlighting is not allowed during periods when the resident is assigned to be on call.

 

ACCREDITATION

The residency program at Salem VAMC is fully accredited by the ACOE, 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 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.

 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Cheryl E. Mengelt, O.D.

Director of Residencies

Southern College of Optometry

1245 Madison Avenue Memphis, TN 38104

Office: (901) 722-3201

Fax: (901) 722-3244

email: [email protected]