The University of Pikeville (UPIKE), Kentucky College of Optometry (KYCO), is currently seeking applicants for a full-time faculty member in the area of Contact Lenses/Anterior Segment Disease. Candidates must be passionate and experienced in classroom and clinical instruction and ready to join a dynamic progressive academic community. Through education, training, and mentoring, faculty members will provide students with the knowledge and confidence they need to succeed at the highest level of professional optometric services. This unique career opportunity affords an individual the opportunity to work and teach in a state-of-the-art eye care facility as well as in fully equipped rural health clinics, while at the same time enjoying the unparalleled beauty and tranquility of the Appalachian Mountain region.

KYCO’s mission is to develop leaders in therapeutic optometry through innovative education and a commitment to caring for the underserved. Faculty members will provide students with the foundational knowledge they need to succeed at the highest level of professional optometric services. This unique career opportunity affords an individual the opportunity to work and teach in a state-of-the-art health professions educational program while at the same time enjoying the beauty and tranquility of the Appalachian Mountain region. KYCO is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) and UPIKE is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees.  

UPIKE’s health professions programs work to provide an exceptional opportunity for KYCO students to participate in interdisciplinary educational opportunities. KYCO’s partnerships with UPIKE’s College of Nursing and Human Services (CNHS) and Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine (KYCOM) allows students a solid foundation in medical science by allowing them to collaborate with nursing, social work, and medical students. 

Responsibilities: 

1. Be highly knowledgeable in the field of Anterior Segment Disease and Contact Lenses.
2. Develop and teach courses and/or laboratories in the area of anterior segment disease and contact lenses.
3. Provide direct patient care and clinical instruction to professional students and interdisciplinary practice with other educational professionals.
4. Candidates must be willing to actively participate in curricular assessment, professional development, student counseling and service activities within the college, university and the scientific community.
5. Successful candidates are also expected to be involved in traditional research and scholarly activities, and have a sincere commitment to optometric education, community service and patient care.

Primary duties include, but are not limited to:

1. Developing and delivering lectures and/or laboratories for anterior segment disease and contact lenses and related areas, as assigned; embracing and enhancing the didactic philosophies in the O.D. program; maintaining and expanding the high-quality clinical practice environment for optometry students on rotation; precepting students on clinical rotation at The Kentucky College of Optometry clinics.
2. Helping to maintain and grow the state-of-the-art optometry program with a strong interdisciplinary focus that meets the needs of patients in the surrounding community; working closely together with all faculty to provide a complete range of eye and vision care services; participating in leadership roles in state, regional, and national optometry organizations; participating on College and University committees, as assigned; participating in College and University service activities.
3. Engaging in research and scholarly activity, including presentations at scientific meetings, research, and publication in peer-reviewed journals sufficient to qualify for academic advancement.

Requirements:

• Minimum Doctor of Optometry Degree (O.D.).
• Residency training in the appropriate area of Cornea and Contact Lenses OR a minimum three years relevant clinical experience is preferred.
• Optometrist applicants should be eligible for licensure in the state of Kentucky and are expected to participate in patient care services.
• Applicants must have excellent organizational, communication, teaching and decision-making skills.
• Prior college teaching experience is strongly preferred. 

The University of Pikeville offers a competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. UPIKE offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, telemedicine, long term disability, tuition waivers, a 403(b)-retirement plan, and HSA, FSA, & dependent care accounts.  UPIKE also offers a generous holiday schedule and paid leave program.

Important Notes: Resume and other application materials will be reviewed to determine if you meet the required qualifications for the position. If it is determined that you meet the required qualifications, your application materials will be used to identify a top group of the most highly qualified candidates. Please, specifically address the qualifications, competencies and desired qualifications in your resume and application materials.

The University of Pikeville is committed to providing a safe and productive learning, living and working community. To achieve this goal, we conduct background investigations for all final applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial and/or motor vehicle history.

The University of Pikeville is an equal opportunity employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff.  The University of Pikeville does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age or disabilities in its programs, activities, hiring, or the admission of students. 

For more information about the University of Pikeville, please visit http://www.upike.edu. In addition to the application, interested applicants are requested to attach to their application a letter of interest, current curriculum vitae, copies of their transcripts, and the contact information for three to five professional references.

About University of Pikeville

Founded in 1889 by Presbyterians, the University of Pikeville is committed to offering a broad liberal arts and sciences education. This foundation provides opportunities for students to develop their full academic and personal potential and prepare for specific careers. "At Pikeville, it's all about the students and our dedicated faculty and staff provide the strong foundation that makes this institution work and grow. Our professors have a passion for learning and scholarship that is key to our students' success. Equally important is the commitment of our dedicated staff, who work hard to make the student experience a positive one," said Chancellor Paul Patton. The University of Pikeville is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons. The University of Pikeville does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age or disabilities in its programs, activities, hiring, or the admission of students. This policy applies to all areas such as hiring, promoting, transferring, training and development, as well as compensation and benefits. The Administrat...ion of this College is dedicated to carrying out this policy, and will continue to inform any recruiting sources used now or in the future, including the various State Employment Services, of our non-discrimination policy and our commitment to equal opportunity. The University of Pikeville is located in Pikeville, a vibrant community in East Kentucky. Pikeville is one of the state's leading financial centers and has been ranked as one of the "100 Best Small Towns" in America. The University of Pikeville is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the associate, baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral degrees. The University's program for the associate degree in Nursing is approved by the Kentucky Board of Nursing and programs in Teacher Education are approved by the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board. The KY College of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of Pikeville is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association's Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation. The American Council for Optometric Education has granted the Kentucky College of Optometry the pre-accreditation classification of "Preliminary Approval." The University of Pikeville is the 22nd school in the country to have a college of optometry. The University of Pikeville (UPIKE) is the leading higher education institution of Central Appalachia, maintaining a commitment to Christian principles and respecting a variety of religious expressions. Students may earn either associate or baccalaureate degrees in a variety of majors with a liberal arts and science foundation; master's degrees may be earned in Business Administration (MBA) and Education (MA); and doctoral degrees may be earned in osteopathic medicine (DO) and optometry (OD). Degrees offered : A.S., B.A., B.S., B.B.A., B.S.N., M.A., M.B.A., D.O., and O.D. A low student-to-faculty ratio (16:1) allows professors to know students' names, ambitions and career goals. Total enrollment is about 1,834 students from 42 states and 24 countries, including approximately 1127 undergraduate students and 707 graduate students. Each year, over 98% of Pikeville College students receive financial assistance in the form of scholarships, grants, work-study, and loans. Undergraduate: $19,600 for tuition, $8,866 for room/board, and $1,250 for textbooks. KYCOM: $42,975 for tuition. At no additional cost, KYCOM provides its students an OPP table, white coat and scrub suit, diagnostic equipment (stethoscope, ophthalmoscope, etc.), computing resources, and all required textbooks. KYCO: $38,450 for tuition. At no additional cost, KYCO provides its students all required ophthalmic and medical equipment in addition to the use of an iPad and laptop computer, as well as all required texts. There are 25 campus clubs and groups including academic, service and leadership societies in which students can become involved. NAIA Division I, Region XI, Mid-South Conference Sports include co-ed cheer, men's baseball, basketball, bowling, cross-country, football, golf, soccer, tennis, track and field; women's basketball, bowling, cross-country, golf, soccer, tennis, volleyball, track and field. Other sports include: archery, dance and e-sports. The facilities are constantly being updated as the University grows and changes. Recent renovations included the Wickham dormitory, the University of Pikeville South Housing Facility, the Coal Building and the Health Professions Education Building. The nine-story Coal Building was constructed alongside the college's historic 99 steps. The new facility includes two lecture halls, a gross anatomy lab, two research labs, offices, small group classrooms and student study space. Also, a clinical skills training and evaluation center houses 12 specially-equipped examination rooms and serve as training and testing centers for students in programs using standardized patients and high-fidelity robotic patient simulators. The expanded osteopathic manipulative medicine lab and clinic provides learning opportunities, as well as housing KYCOM's free community clinic. The newly constructed Health Professions Education Building is a 103,000-square-foot building which will house the Kentucky College of Optometry. Technology and clinical training aspects of the facility will also enhance the learning experience for students in the Elizabeth Akers Elliott School of Nursing, a program initially founded in the early 1980s to meet the needs of nursing education and health care in the region. Adjacent to Record Memorial Building, the facility is part of the university's strategic efforts to increase educational opportunities for students, stimulate economic development and improve comprehensive health care needs in Central Appalachia.

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