Certified Nurse Practitioner (87002)

Certified Nurse Practitioner

Position Summary

We are seeking a compassionate, motivated, and highly skilled Nurse Practitioner (NP) to join our physicianled eye care and surgical center. In this supportive clinical role, you will work alongside our board-certified ophthalmologists to assist with patient evaluations, gather clinical information, and help facilitate diagnostic testing. You will also perform and supervise designated in-office ophthalmic services within the scope of your license, through delegation and supervision by the ophthalmologist. You will prepare complete, accurate documentation for the supervising ophthalmologist to review and sign, and you will play a key role in patient education and preventive eye health. This is a collaborative, team-based position in which all diagnoses, treatment decisions, and surgical care are directed and finalized by the supervising physician. This position requires an active, unrestricted license to practice as a Nurse Practitioner in the State of New Mexico.

Position Details

Job Title: Nurse Practitioner

Department: Eye Care & Ophthalmology Services

Reports To: Medical Director / Supervising Ophthalmologist

Employment Type: Full-Time (Part-Time Considered)

Location New Mexico: – various locations; travel between sites.

Licensure Required: Active, Unrestricted NP License — State of New Mexico

Core Responsibilities

Eye Care & Ophthalmologic Services

• Support comprehensive eye evaluations by collecting patient history and clinical measurements (e.g., visual acuity, imaging) and preparing findings for review by the supervising ophthalmologist.
• Perform and supervise designated in-office ophthalmic treatment and clinical services within the scope of the NP license and through delegation and supervision by the ophthalmologist — for example, MiBoFlo thermal treatment for dry eye and meibomian gland dysfunction and other assigned services.
• Help identify and monitor common ocular conditions — such as dry eye, conjunctivitis, blepharitis, and age-related macular degeneration — documenting observations for physician review, diagnosis, and sign-off.
• Support patients before and after ophthalmic procedures (e.g., cataract surgery, LASIK) through education, follow-up assistance, and reinforcement of the surgeon's care plan. Surgical care and pre-/post-operative management are directed by the board-certified ophthalmologist.
• Assist in obtaining and performing diagnostic imaging and ocular testing within the scope of the role — including spectral-domain OCT, visual fields (including 10-2 testing), and fundus photography — and prepare the results for physician review.
• Support Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) screening — the specialized annual eye examination for patients taking the medication to help detect and prevent irreversible retinal damage.
• Escalate clinical findings to the supervising ophthalmologist for diagnosis and next steps, and coordinate referrals to specialists when clinical findings exceed the NP's supportive scope or require surgical intervention.

Patient Education & Preventive Support

• Support wellness-focused eye care by discussing lifestyle, nutritional, and systemic factors that can affect ocular and overall health, for incorporation into the physician's care plan.
• Provide patient education and guidance on nutrition, supplementation (e.g., omega-3s, lutein, zeaxanthin), and lifestyle modifications for eye health, consistent with the supervising ophthalmologist's recommendations.
• Screen for and counsel patients about systemic conditions with ocular implications, including hypertension, diabetes, and thyroid disorders, and refer findings to the physician as appropriate.
• Provide patient education on blue light exposure, digital eye strain, UV protection, and preventive ocular hygiene.
• Offer wellness-focused education addressing sleep, stress, and nutrition as they relate to eye health and general well-being.

Clinical & Administrative Duties

• Maintain accurate, complete, and timely clinical documentation in the electronic health record (EHR), ensuring charts are prepared for review and signature by the supervising ophthalmologist.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives, patient safety protocols, and clinic performance reviews.
• Mentor and collaborate with clinical support staff, including doctors' technicians and clinical services managers.
• Stay current with evidence-based practices in eye care, integrative medicine, and nursing through continuing education.
• Adhere to all HIPAA, OSHA, and state regulatory requirements.

Qualifications & Requirements

Required

• Active, unrestricted Nurse Practitioner license issued by the New Mexico Board of Nursing.
• Current DEA registration or eligibility to obtain one in New Mexico.
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of 2 years of clinical NP experience; experience in primary care, ophthalmology, or integrative medicine strongly preferred.
• Strong proficiency with EHR/EMR systems and clinical documentation.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and patient education skills.

Preferred

• Bilingual (English/Spanish).
• Familiarity with ophthalmic diagnostic equipment (slit lamp, tonometer, OCT, auto-refractor).
• Experience in a retail optical or ophthalmic clinic setting.

Core Competencies

• Sound clinical judgment and reliable support in both acute and preventive care settings.
• Patient-centered philosophy with a commitment to whole-person eye care.
• Collaborative team orientation and professional communication.
• Adaptability and comfort working in a cross-disciplinary eye care clinical and surgical environment.
• High ethical standards and commitment to confidentiality and regulatory compliance.

Proactive approach to continuous learning and professional development.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Surgical center environment with potential exposure to ophthalmic equipment, lighting, and topical chemical agents.
• Ability to assist with slit lamp examinations and operate diagnostic imaging equipment requiring fine motor precision.
• Prolonged periods of sitting or standing; ability to lift up to 25 lbs.
• Schedule will include some evening or weekend hours depending on clinic operations.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time as needed.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Employment Type: Full Time

Bonus/Commission: No