Optometrist

To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement. Applicants pending the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Currently employed physician(s) in VA who met the requirements for appointment under the previous qualification standard at the time of their initial appointment are deemed to have met the basic requirements of the occupation.

01Basic Requirements

United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education. Degree of Doctor of Optometry resulting from a course of education in optometry. The degree must have been obtained from one of the schools or colleges approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) for the year in which the course of study was completed.

Approved schools are United States and Canadian schools or colleges of optometry listed as accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE), in the list published for the year in which the course of study was completed. Licensure/Registration.

Optometrists must possess a current, full and unrestricted license to practice optometry, and maintain a current registration in a state, territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia that requires successful passage of all parts of National Board of Examiners in Optometry intended for basic licensure. The Optometrist must maintain current registration in the state of licensure if this is a requirement for continuing active, current licensure.

Residency Training or Comparable Experience. Optometrists must have successfully completed residency training, approved by the Secretary of VA in an accredited post-graduate training program, or have comparable experience, as described below: (1) Approved residencies are those with accredited or within pre-accredited status by the ACOE, in the list published for the year the residency was completed.

OR (2) Two years of licensed clinical optometric practice in the United States consisting of active involvement in the management of medically complex patients. English Language Proficiency. Proficiency in spoken and written English. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

02Physical Requirements

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards.

Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 50-55 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year and possible 5 day paid absence for CME) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory CME: Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement (must be full-time with board certification) Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting Work Schedule: Compressed Duties include but not limited to the following: Performs comprehensive eye examinations; diagnose and treat eye disorders using the most appropriate techniques in providing quality care and guidelines established by the VAHCS, American Board of Optometry, and accepted standard of care.

Participates in on-call schedule as directed by Chief of Optometry/Chief of Surgery. Provides supervision, as appropriate, of trainees conducting direct eye care. Completes all clinical charting and documentation required by the Medical Center as appropriate and outcome data as appropriate. Consults with Medical Center staff on a wide variety of patient care issues. Conducts program evaluation. Maintains full clinical privileges as a member of the Medical Staff. Abides by Medical Staff By-laws.

Serves as a consultant to other Medical Center staff and trainees. Serves on Medical Center and VISN committees or task forces as needed. Consults with and serves as a resource for other services concerning the need for the development of related services. Performs other duties as assigned by the Chief of Surgical Service.