Optometry Residency Program

Description of Program

Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) is a private medical school in St. Louis, Missouri. Trainees and members of the faculty of WUSM practice in several large adult and children’s hospitals, outpatient clinics, ambulatory surgical centers and community-based practices in the St. Louis area.

The primary site for this training program is the Center for Outpatient Health, which is a large outpatient center on the Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine Campus. Specialty practices within this location include dermatology, women’s health (obstetrics and gynecology), psychiatry, lab and radiology services, primary care, and neurology. Ophthalmology sub-specialties at this location include: comprehensive ophthalmology, medical optometry, glaucoma, cornea, ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery, neuro-ophthalmology, and retina. There are 5 other adult multi-specialty eye clinics on the School of Medicine campuses that house a mixture of specialties similar to the Center for Outpatient Health.

Program Mission Statement

The Mission of the WUSTL Optometric Residency is to recruit and train qualified
graduate optometrists, and advance their clinical skills beyond entry-level competency through a training experience centered around a wide variety of systemic, ophthalmic, and refractive disorders.

Selection Procedure and Admission Criteria

Selection Procedure:

• Participation in the OR Match Service
• Must submit letter of interest
• Curriculum Vitae
• 3 letters of recommendation
• Official optometry school transcripts

Completed applications are reviewed, qualified applicants are interviewed and a ranking is submitted to OR Match which determines the final selection. Washington University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer committed to excellence through diversity. All residency applications are evaluated without regard to gender, race, color, creed, national origin, or non-disqualifying physical ability.

Admission Criteria

• Applicants must complete t he OR Match application by the deadline of February 1st.
• Applicants must obtain an O.D. degree from an ACOE accredited program by the training 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 training program start date
  • obtain Missouri optometry licensure within 30 days of the training program start date

Program Benefits and Liability Coverage

• Health insurance
• Professional liability insurance
• Vacation
• Paid sick leave
• Travel allowance
• Dental / Life insurance

Requirements for Completion

For COMPLETION AND certification, the resident must complete and/or meet all of the following requirements:

• Completion of 54 weeks of residency program
• Attending assigned clinic services
• Meeting the Residency Didactic:
  • A minimum of one case report, following AAO fellowship guidelines and;
  • A combination of TWO of the following:
    • Additional case report(s) (meeting AAO fellowship guidelines)
    • Poster presentation(s) at AAO approved national meetings
    • Publication in approved journal(s)

• Participation in UMSL Grand Rounds (Residency Day, Fall)
• Performance-via evaluations-at minimum, a 3.0 of 5.0
• An exit interview will be arranged with the residency faculty

The certificate will be awarded by the Program Coordinator

Typical Weekly Hours

• 40 hours per week

Salary

• $45,000

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Accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education

Website: theacoe.org