Optometrist (Clinical)

Summary

PLEASE READ THE COMPLETE ANNOUNCEMENT TO ENSURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND SUBMIT A COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKET .

The C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center Surgical Care Service is seeking an experienced and dynamic Optometrist. Our ideal applicants are those who want to contribute to the achievement of quality care standards, as well as the growth and development of a VA academic hospital program.

Duties

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The Optometrist is professionally and clinically responsible to the Associate Chief of Surgery and Chief of Eye Care Service in both clinical and administrative areas. The incumbent is an independent practitioner responsible for providing quality patient care service to Veterans and enhance the productivity, efficiency, and effectiveness of the patient care activities in the Eye Clinic. The incumbent's work is reviewed for technical adequacy and conformance to policies, procedures, and practices. The incumbent consults with other team members and supervising physician regarding complex or unusual situations.

Other duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to :

• Demonstrating advanced competencies and skills in providing diagnostic, preventative and therapeutic health.
• Diagnosing the full range of complex eye conditions and planning and executing the necessary treatment programs.
• Contributing to the teaching, supervising and administration of optometric externship programs.
• Providing comprehensive assessment, diagnostic work-up and clinic intervention, including patient assessment, health history, physical examination, and patient education.
• Ordering and evaluating diagnostic tests as appropriate, recommending treatment and / or referral, and validating the effectiveness of previously implemented medical treatment.
• Recording and documenting health appraisal information, clinical assessments, treatment decisions, plan of care, ongoing management, and therapeutic outcomes.
• Ordering medications, diagnostic tests and referral consultations when needed.
• Conducting routine eye exams, prescribing glasses and also managing various ocular conditions prevalent in a hospital-based eye clinic including diabetes, macular degeneration and glaucoma.
• Interpreting diseases and conditions of the eye and adnexa and ocular manifestations of systemic disease.
• Ordering, verifying, dispensing and adjusting optical aids for visually impaired patients.
• Evaluating and fitting contact lens.
• Responsible for emergency patient care and being on call as needed.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Preferred Experience : patient care activities in the Eye Clinic, planning, coordination and exercising professional judgement in diagnosing the full range of complex optometric conditions as well as planning and executing the necessary treatment programs to meet complex and frequent changes in treatment objectives

Work Schedule :

Monday - Friday, 8 : 00 am - 4 : 30 pm

(Note : Work schedules are determined and approved by the supervisor. The incumbent may be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis based on facility / patient care needs).

Telework : Not Available

Virtual : This is not a virtual position.

Relocation / Recruitment Incentives : Authorized- Relocation / Recruitment Incentive may be offered to highly qualified applicant.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of certification / licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements :

United States and Canadian schools or colleges of optometry listed as accredited by the Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association, in the list published for the year in which the course of study was completed. -OR-

Grade Determinations : In addition to the basic requirements above, all applicants must meet one of the following requirements to qualify for a specific grade level :

Four years of optometric practice or its equivalent. One year of approved residency training or its creditable equivalent acceptable to the Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association is acceptable in lieu of 2 years of practice.

The optometrist at this level possesses such academic stature as would warrant a faculty appointment of a professional level in an approved school or college of optometry.

Has assumed substantial professional and / or administrative responsibilities in which the individual is expected to fully advise and make professional clinical and educational recommendations as to courses of action on problems and considerations of national scope in all areas of optometry. Typically, the optometrist at this level has had responsibility for a major optometric program segment on a nationwide basis and has been consistently called upon to represent the organization in an authoritative manner in matters dealing with development of new and / or revised concepts and programs having a major impact upon the academic, medical, and optometric communities.

Reference : For more information on this qualification standard, please visit

Physical Requirements : Must pass a pre-employment physical examination as required by VA Handbook 5019. This examination is administered by VA Occupational Health. This position requires moderate lifting up to 44 lbs., carrying objects up to 15 lbs., frequent reaching, use of hands and fingers, use of cranes and motor vehicles, walking, standing, bending and climbing. The incumbent must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of this position without hazard to themselves or others.

Education

Note : Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here : If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit :

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration / Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA / OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.