Robert Patterson
Chattanooga,TN
Summary
Accomplished optometrist and expert in diagnosis of vision disorders and complex eye diseases. Equipped with strong background offering specialized care as key member of group practice. Highly dedicated to patient wellness and comfort, offering various tools and options in alignment with individual needs. Skillful in preparing prescriptions for eyeglasses and contact lenses, maintaining strong commitment to accuracy. Versed at forging and cultivating productive relationships with patients as well as multiple healthcare provider specialties in order to provide a comprehensive treatment plan for patients, achieving high levels of satisfaction, and streamlining patient care.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Optometrist
Valley View Eye Care, P.C.
02.2015 - Current
- Owned and operated private optometry practice and partnered with administrative staff to plan schedules and promote services. Prescribed eye treatment and corrective eyeglasses and contact lenses to align with patient diagnosis.
- Improved patient satisfaction by providing thorough eye examinations and personalized care.
- Examined, diagnosed and managed diseases and disorders of eyes and associated structures.
- Educated patients on preventative eye care, reducing incidence of vision-related issues in community.
- Enhanced practice efficiency by streamlining appointment scheduling and record-keeping processes.
- Provided exceptional patient care, consistently receiving positive feedback from patients and colleagues alike.
- Promoted positive work environment through effective communication and collaboration with team members, resulting in increased staff satisfaction.
- Leveraged EyeCloud Pro software to process patient information to facilitate access to accurate and up-to-date records.
- Performed advanced diagnostic procedures, ensuring accurate diagnoses and effective treatment plans.
- Assisted in recruitment and training of support staff members to maintain high-quality patient care standards within practice.
- Developed strong relationships with optical lab partners, resulting in faster turnaround times for prescription eyewear orders.
- Established referral networks with ophthalmologists for surgical co-management, enhancing overall patient care options available at practice.
- Addressed emergency ocular situations such as foreign body removal or sudden vision loss, providing immediate care and appropriate followup.
- Implemented new technologies in office, improving patient experience and allowing for more precise diagnoses.
- Collaborated with other healthcare professionals to develop comprehensive treatment plans for patients with complex eye conditions.
- Managed billing procedures efficiently to ensure timely reimbursement from insurance providers while maintaining accurate financial records.
- Stayed current with industry advancements through regular participation in continuing education courses and professional conferences.
- Participated in quality improvement initiatives within practice aimed at enhancing service delivery standards.
Clinical Optometrist
Pearle Vision Center
03.2006 - 05.2015
- Examined, diagnosed and managed diseases and disorders of eyes and associated structures.
- Provided routine vision exams, contact lens fitting, and therapeutic eye care for 20-30 patients per day.
- Provided co-management of cataract and LASIK surgery.
- Cultivated lasting relationships with patients by providing compassionate care tailored to individual needs and preferences.
- Streamlined appointment scheduling processes to minimize wait times and maximize patient throughput.
- Developed loyal patient base through consistent delivery of high-quality, personalized care.
- Provided pediatric eye care to ensure early detection of vision problems that could impact learning success.
- Improved patient outcomes by conducting comprehensive eye examinations and diagnosing ocular conditions.
- Ensured timely referral of patients requiring specialist intervention or surgical management.
- Reduced error rates in optical dispensing through meticulous measurements and verification of prescription accuracy.
- Contributed to positive workplace culture by collaborating effectively with staff, including opticians, technicians, and administrative personnel.
- Contributed to community outreach initiatives by offering free vision screenings and eyewear adjustments at local events.
- Enhanced practice efficiency by utilizing latest diagnostic equipment and software for accurate diagnoses.
- Leveraged Practice Director software to process patient information to facilitate access to accurate and up-to-date record
Clinical Optometrist
Allied Eye Associates
06.2008 - 04.2011
- Primary care optometry in conjunction with extensive co-management of ophthalmology patients
- Also provided care to several local nursing homes
- Developed, designed, and opened in-office optical dispensary for Allied Eye Associates in order to provide quality eyeglasses, contact lenses, and sun apparel for patients. This included interviewing and hiring opticians to provide optical service for patients. Provided oversight of design, construction, acquiring initial stock of retail eyeglass frames, and contracting with optical lens labs and frame vendors.
- Managed and provided administrative oversight for optical dispensary after it was opened to include budget oversight and inventory control
- Participated in ongoing professional development to stay up-to-date on industry advancements, ensuring cutting-edge patient care.
- Managed high volume of patients while maintaining exceptional quality of care and attention to detail.
- Optimized visual functionality for geriatric patients by addressing age-related changes in vision.
- Addressed emergency ocular situations promptly, stabilizing patients until further medical intervention was available.
- Reduced error rates in optical dispensing through meticulous measurements and verification of prescription accuracy.
- Contributed to positive workplace culture by collaborating effectively with staff, including opticians, technicians, and administrative personnel.
- Contributed to community outreach initiatives by offering free vision screenings and eyewear adjustments at local events.
Staff Optometrist
OnSight Senior Care
10.2005 - 06.2008
- Provided eye care and vision services to nursing home patients throughout Southeast Tennessee and North Georgia.
- Served as staff optometrist that employed comprehensive set of mobile optometry instruments to evaluate, diagnose, and manage patient's ocular needs.
- Served 27 different facilities throughout area managing all forms of eye disease and vision problems
- Coordinated care with attending physicians, staff nurses, and local ophthalmologist in order to provide comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to patient management.
- Coordinated scheduling of clinics, patient appointments, and medical billing with administrative assistants from OnSight Senior Care corporation in order to maintain consistent patient care and financial cash flow.
- Managed inventory of optical supplies, ensuring availability and minimizing waste.
- Provided exceptional customer service, leading to increase in returning patients and referrals.
- Trained new staff on clinic procedures, contributing to cohesive work environment and efficient operations.
- Developed relationships with local primary care providers for seamless referral coordination and continuity of care for shared patients.
Primary Care Optometry Practice
Nelson Thorenson, O.D. & Associates
06.1999 - 03.2006
- Primary care optometry practice in commercial/Retail location with emphasis on spectacle and contact lens fitting.
- Prescribed eye treatment and corrective eyeglasses and contact lenses to align with patient diagnosis.
- Improved patient satisfaction by providing thorough eye examinations and personalized care.
- Examined, diagnosed and managed diseases and disorders of eyes and associated structures.
Owner of Primary Care of Optometry Clinic
Eyecare Center of Red Bank
07.1997 - 10.2003
- Owner of a primary care optometry clinic with attached optical dispensary
- Managed day-to-day business operations.
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with clients, resulting in repeat business and referrals.
- Oversaw daily operations, ensuring all tasks were completed accurately and efficiently by team members.
- Managed financial aspects of business, including budgeting, financial reporting, and tax preparation.
- Increased gross revenue from $150,000 to $350,000 within first 3 years of ownership.
- Hired trained, and managed high-performing team of employees dedicated to achieving company goals.
- Trained and motivated employees to perform daily business functions.
- Implemented marketing strategies to increase brand awareness and attract new customers.
- Established positive workplace culture that fostered employee engagement, collaboration, and loyalty.
- Negotiated contracts with suppliers for better pricing and terms, reducing overall costs for business.
- Emphasis on routine vision exams, contact lens fitting, and therapeutic eye care
- Co-managed cataract and LASIK surgery patients with local ophthalmologists to improve patient outcomes and increase patient flow.
- Trained and developed team members to build human capital.
- Interacted well with customers to build connections and nurture relationships.
- Managed purchasing, sales, marketing and customer account operations efficiently.
- Handled problematic customers and clients to assist lower-level employees and maintain excellent customer service.
- Implemented business strategies, increasing revenue, and effectively targeting new markets.
- Recruited, hired, and trained personnel, working to establish key internal functions and outline scope of positions for new organization.
- Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics.
- Reduced budgetary expenditures by effectively negotiating contracts for more advantageous terms.
- Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.
- Mentored staff members on best practices in customer service and sales techniques, leading to increased performance levels.
- Successfully navigated challenging economic conditions by making informed decisions that protected business''s financial stability.
- Enhanced operational efficiency and productivity by managing budgets, accounts, and costs.
- Achieved financial growth with strategic planning, cost control measures, and targeted marketing efforts.
Staff Optometrist
Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital
10.1993 - 06.1997
- Administrator and clinician at hospital based vision clinic for US Army as active duty officer with rank of Captain (O3)
- Served as staff optometrist for first two years, which entailed primary vision care for active duty military personnel, retired personnel, and Department of Defense dependants.
- Promoted to Chief of Optometry Services during last two years of service. Had honor of filling this role as O3- Captain even though position is typically filled by O5- Lt, Colonel.
- Regularly represented optometry services during all Department of Surgery department head meetings. Was able to effectively navigate hierarchy of military rank as junior officer, in respect to other department chiefs, and successfully advocate for optometry services during budget and personnel cuts.
- Maintained exceptional level of patient care and services with severely understaffed facility
- Contributions as Chief included obtaining on call privileges in emergency room for optometrist, negotiated with hospital administration to update hospitals' ocular formulary to include broader range of medications, and increased optometry privileges to include all topical ocular medications such as antibiotics, antivirals and glaucoma medications.
- Worked seamlessly with Chief of Ophthalmology to provide highest levels of eye care available.
- Received level III hospital credentials.
- Improved patient satisfaction by providing thorough eye examinations and personalized care for a wide range of patient ages.
- Streamlined appointment scheduling for increased efficiency and reduced wait times.
- Trained new staff on clinic procedures, contributing to cohesive work environment and efficient operations.
- Collaborated with team of optometrists to develop best practices for patient care.
- Diagnosed ocular diseases early through comprehensive testing, preventing further complications.
- Implemented new diagnostic equipment, enhancing accuracy of evaluations and treatment plans for patients.
- Optimized patient experience by creating welcoming environment that prioritized cleanliness, organization, and professionalism at all times.
- Enhanced practice reputation by attending industry conferences to stay updated on latest advancements in optometry research, technology, and treatment options.
- Developed relationships with other primary care providers located within same hospital in order to provide seamless referral coordination and continuity of care for shared patients.
- Managed multiple optometry clinic locations on military base to ensure availability of care for soldiers and their families.
- Examined, diagnosed and managed diseases and disorders of eyes and associated structures.
- Referred patients with indications of pathological condition to ophthalmologist for additional examination.
- Leveraged full field of optometric instruments and equipment to determine patient visual acuity, amplitude of accommodation and refractive state.
- Prepared, justified and submitted annual optometry budget based upon estimates of space and equipment needs and projected workload.
Education
Doctorate of Optometry - Optometry
Southern College of Optometry
Memphis, TN05.1993
Bachelor's - Biology
The Citadel
Charleston, SC05.1989
Skills
- Clinical judgment
- Excellent communication skills
- Patient treatment planning
- Bedside manner
- Team Leadership
- Operations Management
- Diagnosis and treatment
- Geriatric Eye Care
Accomplishments
- Supervised team of 15 staff members
- Performed as Chief of Optometry for US Army hospital
- Currently owns and operates Valley View Eye Care, P.C. which is a private practice in Chattanooga, TN.
- Treats, manages, and coordinates vision and eye care needs for 4 local nursing home facilities
- Designed and implemented Dry Eye Specialty clinic at previous employed ophthalmology practice
- Designed, installed, and managed brand new optical dispensary for previous employed ophthalmology practice
- Achieved higher levels of patient care documentation by introducing EyeCloud Pro software for EHR and streamlining practice management tasks.
- Designed a specialty contact lens clinic to fit scleral contact lenses on extremely high prescriptions and diseased corneas.
- Outstanding Clinician of the Year - Southern College of Optometry 1993
- Century Optical Dispensing Award - Southern College of Optometry 1993
- Associate Professor for University of Houston College of Optometry 1995-1997
Certification
- TENNESSEE, OD 1612
Externships
- Moncrief Army Community Hospital, 06/1992 to 08/1992, Hospital based primary care optometry with strong emphasis on pathology
- Dr Stephen Shum, O.D., 08/1992 to 10/1992, Private practice based primary care optometry with emphasis on contact lenses
Board Certifications
National Board of Examiners in Optometry, 04/1993
Current Practice
Valley View Eye Care, P.C. - Private practice providing comprehensive vision and ocular health assessments. Also incorporates specialty scleral contact lens fitting, and management of eye clinics for local nursing home facilities.
Teaching Appointments
Associate Professor for clinical externs, University of Houston, College of Optometry, 08/1995 to 06/1997, Aided in the instruction of externs stationed at Ft. Polk eye clinic.
Honors And Awards
- Southern College of Optometry, Outstanding Clinician of the Year, 05/93
- Century Optical Dispensing Award, 05/93
- Omni Eye Services Referral Center, Member of Advisory Board, 08/99 - 08/01
Personal Information
- Place of Birth: Yazoo City, Mississippi
- Date of Birth: 10/01/67
References
Available upon request
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Optometrist
Valley View Eye Care, P.C.
02.2015 - Current
Clinical Optometrist
Allied Eye Associates
06.2008 - 04.2011
Clinical Optometrist
Pearle Vision Center
03.2006 - 05.2015
Staff Optometrist
OnSight Senior Care
10.2005 - 06.2008
Primary Care Optometry Practice
Nelson Thorenson, O.D. & Associates
06.1999 - 03.2006
Owner of Primary Care of Optometry Clinic
Eyecare Center of Red Bank
07.1997 - 10.2003
Staff Optometrist
Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital
10.1993 - 06.1997
Doctorate of Optometry - Optometry
Southern College of Optometry
Bachelor's - Biology
The Citadel
- TENNESSEE, OD 1612
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