Residency in Pediatric / Vision Therapy and Rehabilitation

Program Description

This 54-week program provides advanced clinical experience in all aspects of pediatric optometry and binocular vision patient care. The resident will have the opportunity for interaction and case co-management with other health care and education professionals. The program is flexible and can be adapted to meet the particular interests of the resident.

Program Mission Statement

The mission of the University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry Residency Program in Pediatric Optometry is to provide high quality, advanced post-graduate education and clinical training in Pediatric Optometry, Binocular Vision and Vision Therapy to qualified optometrists who will contribute to eye care and the profession of optometry. Upon successful completion of this program, the resident will be able to pursue a professional career in a Pediatrics / Binocular Vision patient care, including management of non-strabismic binocular vision anomalies, amblyopia, strabismus and learning related vision problems in private optometric practice or optometric education. The program instills in its residents a professional and scientific attitude, skills for lifelong learning, a commitment to the profession of optometry and a desire to contribute to the social welfare of the community.

Selection Procedure and Admission Criteria
Selection Procedure: Participation in the ORMatch Service

Must submit letter of interest, Curriculum Vitae, 3 letters of recommendation, UMSL application and official optometry school transcripts. Completed applications are reviewed, qualified applicants are interviewed and a ranking is submitted to ORMatch which determines the final selection.

The University of Missouri-St. Louis is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer committed to excellence through diversity.

Admission Criteria

• Applicants must complete the ORMatch application by the UMSL deadline of February 1st.
• Applicants must obtain an O.D. degree from an ACOE accredited program by the residency program starting date
• Preference given to applicants with a GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale
• Submit required application materials requested by each program
• Must demonstrate eligibility to work in the U.S.
• As per the state requirement for university employees, a criminal background check is required
• Matched Applicants must:
         • pass all parts of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry
         • pass all examinations required for Missouri licensure
         • provide official optometry school transcripts prior to residency start date
         • obtain Missouri optometry licensure within 30 days of the residency start date

Program Benefits and Liability Coverage

•Health Coverage
•Professional Liability Insurance
•Vacation
•Paid Sick Leave
•Travel Allowance
•Other: Dental and Life insurance

Requirements for Completion

*Completion of the 54 weeks of residency program
*Clinical decision making and patient care are at the appropriate independent level
*Completing all assignments
*Attending the assigned clinic services
*Responding promptly to emergency patient services
*Attending all required seminars
*Presenting once a semester at the College of Optometry grand rounds & attending at minimum 2 grand rounds each, fall and winter
*Conducting case conferences to fourth year professional students
*Completing referral letters in a timely fashion
*Completing a minimum of one scholarly activity
*Present a paper at the College's Annual Residency Day
*Completing patient logs and monthly activity logs to be turned in at the end of each month to the Program Coordinator and the Director of Residencies
*Attend either the annual meeting of the American Academy of Optometry or the College of Optometrists in Vision Development
*Resident performs on evaluation forms at least a 3.0 on a 5.0 scale on all measures
*An exit interview will be arranged with the Pediatric/Binocular Vision faculty
****The resident is required to complete only two of the following 4 completion requirements:
              *Develop at least one manuscript of sufficient quality to be published in a refereed journal
              *Submit an abstract to present either a poster or paper at a National Meeting
              *Meet weekly with residency faculty for formal weekly seminars
              *Participate in clinical research

Teaching Responsibilities for Resident/Graduate Student

• Direct patient care in the Pediatrics/Binocular Vision Service of the College of Optometry's Center for Eye Care locations

• Direct patient care for preschool, special education and regular school children at off-campus school locations

• Supervision of third and fourth year students in the Pediatrics/Binocular Vision and Primary Care Services of the College of Optometry Center for Eye Care locations

• Participation in Emergency Care services

• Weekly meetings and conferences with College of Optometry Pediatrics/Binocular Vision Service faculty

• Providing consultative services to College of Optometry faculty and other health care and education professionals

• Providing didactic and laboratory instruction to optometry students in clinical and vision science courses related to pediatric optometry and binocular vision

• Providing leadership in optometry and graduate student seminars and individual instruction sessions

• Attendance at the annual meetings of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development or the American Academy of Optometry, in addition to regional professional meetings

• Participation in related research with College of Optometry faculty and members of the graduate program

• Opportunities to lecture, laboratory and clinical instruction to doctors participating in College of Optometry sponsored continuing education program

Typical Weekly Hours and After-Hours Responsibilities

40 hours per week, Residents share on-call duties

Stipend:
$37,500

If you have any questions regarding our residency program please contact Julie DeKinder, O.D.

Accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education

Email: accredit@theacoe.org
Address: 243 N. Lindbergh Blvd., Suite 301, St. Louis, MO 63141
Website: www.theACOE.org
Phone: 800-365-2219

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Residency in Pediatric / Vision Therapy and Rehabilitation