Physician Assistant or Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner - Oculoplastics

Overview

The University of Iowa Health Care, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences is seeking an 80-100% Physician Assistant (PA) or Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP). The department intends to hire at either the PA or ARNP level based on the qualifications of the successful candidate. Please indicate in your application materials the position you wish to be considered for.

Working with oculoplastic faculty, the candidate will provide specialized clinical care within the department, focusing on oculoplastics and related ophthalmic subspecialties. This role supports both outpatient and inpatient services at the university campus and at Iowa River Landing (IRL), collaborating closely with ophthalmologists and optometrists to deliver high-quality, evidence-based care. In accordance with scope of practice as outlined by applicable state law, regulations, institutional policies and practice agreements, the position will independently conduct comprehensive medical assessments, establish medical diagnoses, order and evaluate diagnostic testing, develop treatment plans, and deliver scope-appropriate clinical and procedural services.

Patient Evaluation & Clinical Care

• Obtain and document comprehensive medical histories; perform system-focused or symptom-specific physical examinations.
• Conduct routine eye exams, including slit lamp evaluations.
• Form differential diagnoses and manage both acute and chronic ophthalmic conditions.
• Address urgent ophthalmic issues such as infections, chalazia, foreign bodies, post operative ocular irritation, and chemical/thermal burns.
• Provide evaluation and ongoing monitoring and support for thyroid eye disease (TED) and anophthalmic socket patients.

Procedures & Interventions

• Perform and manage billable in-office clinic and procedure room interventions as outlined.
• Assist in surgery (e.g., skin closure) and perform non-billable procedures such as suture removal.
• Prescribe pharmacologic, non-pharmacologic, and procedural/surgical interventions as needed.

Pre- and Post-Operative Care

• Conduct postoperative evaluations to ensure recovery and continuity of care.
• Provide pre-operative consultations and care coordination (e.g., blood thinner management, cardiac work-ups, coordinated case appointments and Mohs excisions).

Triage & Coordination

• Add-on/same-day triage for patients (e.g., post-op issues, acute TED concerns) with faculty/fellow/resident support as needed.
• Coordinate care for inpatient ophthalmology subspecialty cases, including trauma and burn patients, and provide follow-up consults for patients with established management plans.
• Facilitate patient care coordination, streamlining communication and care delivery across providers and services within the department.
• Support triage and inbox management tasks as needed.
• Collaborate with ophthalmologists, optometrists, other providers, and multiple team members to develop and implement individualized care plans.
• Initiate appropriate referrals and consultations, identifying expected outcomes for diagnoses.
• Order, perform, and interpret diagnostic procedures and assessments relevant to ophthalmic care.
• Utilize approved, evidence-based practice protocols in planning and delivering care.
• Provide specialty and subspeciality-specific consultation services within the ARNP scope of practice.
• Accurately document patient care in the electronic medical record (EMR) in compliance with billing and regulatory standards.

Professional Development

• Participate in departmental educational conferences and clinical care meetings.
• Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Procedural Scope
:
Procedures listed are in the scope of the position after training, demonstration of competency, and supervised trial period.

Use of slit lamp for diagnostic and procedure purposes

Eyelid biopsies (incisional and excisional) not involving the medial canthus, eyelid margin, or adjacent to the lacrimal system

Incision and drainage of the lacrimal sac with packing of acute dacryocystitis

Incision and drainage of chalazion

Hyfrecation/epilation of eyelashes

Punctal plug placement or permanent closure with cautery

Placement and removal of sutures

La…