Optometric Residency Program VISION THERAPY REHABILITATION AND PEDIATRIC EYE CARE VISION NORTHWEST FEDERAL WAY, WASHINGTON SPONSORS: VISION NORTHWEST, FEDERAL WAY, WASHINGTON AFFILIATE: PACIFIC UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY, FOREST GROVE, OREGON MISSION This program provides optometrists with advanced clinical experience in the management of vision disorders through both modeling and direct patient contact including cases of amblyopia/strabismus, acquired brain injury, developmental delays and vision related learning difficulties. These experiences will facilitate the resident s development into an exceptional clinician offering specialized skills in optometric care for vision rehabilitation patients, persons with binocular and developmental vision impairments and those with vision related learning difficulties in reading, spelling and mathematics.
GENERAL INFORMATION Residency Program Supervisor Curtis R. Baxstrom, MA, OD, FCOVD, FNORA Dr. Baxstrom received his O.D. degree from Pacific University and a Master of Arts in Reading from Seattle Pacific University. He has practiced vision therapy in Federal Way, Washington since 1993. In addition, he consults at two local Rehabilitation Hospitals providing Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation services. He is also an adjunct professor at Pacific University. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, the College of Optometrists in Vision Development and the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association. Dr. Baxstrom is actively involved in many committees and programs of COVD and NORA. In his community he is involved in his Lions Club and has received the Melvin Jones Fellow Award. When not involved in Optometry he is a climbing instructor and leader for the Mountaineers. In 1989 he received the Young Optometrist of the Year award for California. He has published multiple articles and lectured at meetings across the globe. Length of Program 54 weeks Starting Date July 1 Annual Salary Periodically adjusted. Please contact the residency program supervisor for current salary and benefit information. Hours Expected range of hours of attendance in a typical week of activities is 40-50 hours. Vision Northwest hours are Monday-Thursday 8:15-5:30 and Friday 8:15 to noon. Leave Residents earn 10 days of paid leave that can be used for vacation, education, or illness. Professional Liability Protection Provided by Vision Northwest Health Insurance Benefits Available at a nominal cost Certificate of Completion A certificate of completion will be awarded to the resident upon satisfactory fulfillment of residency requirements as outlined in the Pacific University College of Optometry residency program supplemental policy manual and Vision Northwest guidelines for residency program completion. PROGRAM GOALS Enhance the resident s examination 1 skills in vision development and rehabilitation 2Strengthen the resident s expertise in the diagnosis and management of vision problems in binocular, visual information processing and vision rehabilitation. 3Expand the resident s knowledge in managing patients with developmental delays, learning issues and acquired brain injury. 4Expand the resident s knowledge of binocular and perceptual vision problems. 5Develop the resident s communication skills that are required for successful provision of services in vision therapy and rehabilitation. 6Develop the resident s understanding of the business and accounting aspects of successful management of a practice devoted to rehabilitation, and vision therapy. 7Develop the resident s skill in presenting topics to fellow professionals. Instill in the resident an appreciation 8 of the importance of scholarly activity.
SAMPLE WEEK IN THE LIFE OF A RESIDENT monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday 8:15 am 12 pm Daily patient care followed by case discussion. Every effort will be made to address immediate questions and concerns for patients while they are in the office to expedite appropriate patient care. 1:00 pm 5:30 pm Scholarly and Administration Time saturday closed sunday closed After hours on-call assignments will be made on a periodic basis. Participation in community vision care acitivities will be required on a periodic basis. Our local optometric society supports vision care programs for the homeless and the Lions Club Special Olympics RESIDENCY EXPERIENCE Strengths of the Program The Resident will gain clinical experience in all aspects of vision therapy and rehabilitative care. The resident will meet on a weekly basis with the residency supervisor for discussion of current cases. The resident has the opportunity to see patients at external multidisciplinary clinics in addition to the clinical experience available at the Vision Northwest. These locations provide exposure to a wider variety of conditions. The exact schedule for these visits will be determined by the program supervisor. Scholarly Activities The resident is expected to author at least one manuscript suitable for publication and to present this work at the annual Northwest Residents Conference at Pacific University. The resident may attend Pacific University sponsored continuing education programs and the registration fees are waived during the residency year. The resident is encouraged to attend other educational programs; however, travel, lodging, meals and incidental expenses remain the resident s responsibility. Performance Evaluations The resident will receive written evaluations and verbal feedback from the residency program supervisor and the resident will evaluate the residency program and supervisor at least twice during the residency year.
WORKSITE Worksite & Patient Population The clinic shares space with a speech therapy clinic and time can be made to observe and interact with co-treatment of patients. The patient base is primarily based in the area of pediatrics, strabismus and amblyopia, learning related vision problems and acquired brain injuries. The facilities include two refracting lanes and three therapy rooms. Special testing and therapy equipment includes Diopsys VEP System, Interactive Metronome, Computer Orthoptics-Liquid Crystal Vision Therapy Automated Vision Therapy, Sanet Visual Integrator, Readalyzer and a variety of other vision therapy equipment. Computer, Email & Telephone Access The clinic is equipped with computers that have internet and email access. Most rooms have work stations for easy access to electronic health records. The resident has the opportunity to have a personal email account. Library & Research Resources The resident is provided electronic access to the libraries and computer databases of Pacific University.
Seattle W A S H I N G T O N Federal Way ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA 1Candidates must earn the degree of Doctor of Optometry from a school or college of optometry accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education Candidate must pass all three parts of 2 the NBEO and attain Washington State licensure prior to the starting date of the residency program. Vision Northwest affirms that all 3 candidates will be evaluated without regard to sex, race, color, creed, national origin or non-disqualifying physical disabilities. APPLICATION PROCESS 1Contact the residency program supervisor and be available for a personal interview Candidates must apply to this residency 2 program through the Optometry Residency Match (ORMatch) online at www.natmatch.com/ormatch/ 3Furnish official transcripts of all optometric and graduate education. 4Furnish official NBEO scores. 5Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the candidate's clinical and academic performance. 6Candidates must provide a brief essay stating reasons for applying to this program. LIVING IN FEDERAL WAY, WA Federal Way is between Seattle and Tacoma in King County, Washington. Its western boundary is Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains are to the east. The area offers a rich variety of activities including sightseeing, hiking, kayaking, beachcombing and restaurants. The area has cultural and community events throughout the year. CALL OR EMAIL TODAY For additional information about these residency opportunities, please contact: Curtis R. Baxstrom, OD 1705 South 324th Place Federal Way, WA 98003 253-661-6005 253-661-0633 Fax baxstrom@earthlink.net