Consulting Optometrist, Department of Health Services Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established April 6, 1972

Scope

This series specification describes two Optometric Consultant levels in the Department of Health Services. The optometric consultation involved includes providing assistance to staff, practicing optometrists, providers of vision care, and other interested parties on the optometric aspects of the California Medical Assistance Program.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

Level, variety, complexity of work, independence of action, supervision received and exercised serve as differentiating factors between individual classes.

Description of Levels

Consulting Optometrist I, Department of Health Services

This is the journeyperson working level in this series. Incumbents in this class in a regional or district office review, evaluate, and authorize requests for eyeglasses or other optometric services requiring prior authorization; provide consultation and assistance to optometrists on optometric aspects of the Medi-Cal Program; identify and evaluate local resources for providing optometric services in relation to the optometric needs of recipients; review practice patterns of optometrists and identify those requiring closer surveillance; provide suggestions and recommendations for program improvement; establish and maintain a cooperative relationship and close liaison with local optometric societies; address professional and lay groups; prepare reports; advise other professional consultants on optometric aspects of the program; arrange for vision care consultation when necessary.

Consulting Optometrist II, Department of Health Services

This is the full supervisory level. Incumbents in this class in a regional or large district office coordinate and direct the vision care prior authorization, consultation and liaison activities of a staff of optometric consultants; recruit and select staff, plan and provide for necessary training, supervise consultants, evaluate their work, and take or recommend appropriate action; provide professional advice and guidance for review of prior authorization requests; make final determination on prior authorization approvals for the region, and for districts in that region as requested; review approvals and denials of prior authorization requests; evaluate provider utilization patterns and modes of practice, identify provider where increased surveillance may be needed, and recommend investigation when indicated; interpret program regulations concerning prior authorization for vision care services to optometric societies and other groups in the community; work closely with review committees of local optometric societies; establish and maintain liaison and cooperative relationships with the optometric profession and allied groups, provider organizations, advisory committees, and public and private agencies engaged in vision care services; make recommendations for changes in the California Medical Assistance Program regulations; participate in special projects and studies; address professional and lay groups; prepare reports.

Minimum Qualifications

All Levels:

Possession of the legal requirements for the practice of optometry in California as determined by the California State Board of Optometry. (Applicants who are in the process of securing approval of their qualifications by the State Board of Optometry will be admitted to the examination, but that Board must determine that all legal requirements have been met before candidates will be eligible for appointment.)

Consulting Optometrist, Department of Health Services

Two years of experience within the past five years as a practicing optometrist. (Experience as an optometrist in the consultant function of a medical care program can be substituted on a year-for-year basis.)

Consulting Optometrist II, Department of Health Services

Either I

One year of experience in California state service performing the duties of a Consulting Optometrist I, Department of Health Services.

Or II

Three years of experience in the practice of optometry or optometric consultation in a medical care program, including one year of administrative, supervisory, or consultive experience in a public health or welfare agency, or in a clinic, hospital or teaching institution.

Knowledge and Abilities

Consulting Optometrist I, Department of Health Services

Knowledge of: Modern methods and principles of general optometry and those conditions of the visually handicapped subject to correction by optometric procedures; interrelationships of Federal, State and local professional and voluntary public health and welfare agencies; various functions of all providers of vision care services.

Ability to: Interpret and apply the vision care policies and standards of the Department; recognize, assess, and develop solutions to problems involved in the vision care aspects of the California Medical Assistance Program; evaluate the quality and scope of optometric services provided under the California Medical Assistance Program; establish and maintain effective working relationships; analyze situations accurately and take effective action analyze the effect of proposed changes in the optometric phases of the program; write effectively; speak effectively before professional and lay groups.

Consulting Optometrist II, Department of Health Services

Knowledge of: All of the above, and principles of community organization and principles and practices of personnel management; the Department's Affirmative Action Program objectives; a manager's role in the Affirmative Action Program and the processes available to meet affirmative action objectives.

Ability to: All of the above, and direct the work of a group of optometric consultants; effectively contribute to the Department's affirmative action objectives.

Special Personal Characteristics

Willingness to travel.

Class History