Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Responsibilities This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT & will remain open until February 18, 2025 or until positions are filled. Eligible applications received will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur. The staff optometrist is a licensed independent practitioner responsible for patient care activities in the ophthalmology clinic. Clinical Functions: Exercises independent professional judgement in diagnosing the full range of ophthalmic conditions as well as planning and executing the necessary treatments for patients who have illnesses within the scope of optometry. The scope of these activities covers all phases of ambulatory care. Promotes communication between eye clinic team members, patients and their families to facilitate the medical treatment process. Consults with ophthalmologists and others, when necessary to augment the care of patients as it relates to emergent and traumatic conditions as well as ophthalmic manifestations of systemic conditions. Utilizes the general clinical privileges which include ordering diagnostic tests and writing prescriptions for medications or other items on the hospital formulary. The optometrist should also demonstrate knowledge of preventive medicine and primary care as related to optometry (e.g. complications of disorders and treatments, side effects of medications used). Independently exercises creativity in solving problems without direct supervisory guidance to meet the varying needs of patients while under care in the eye clinic and assures that a high degree of quality patient care is provided at all times. Administrative Functions: Maintains accurate and timely patient medical record entries in Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS). Also complies with all VHA Privacy Policy (HIPPA) requirements. The incumbent will attend regularly scheduled section, surgical service and medical staff meetings. Performs administrative duties at the direction of the ophthalmology/optometry section chief. Follows accepted infection control and safety procedures as well as other station policy procedures. Research Functions: Participates, where appropriate, in research in basic visual science and clinical optometry including epidemiological studies, clinical trials and evaluation of alternative health care delivery systems to enhance patient care. Education Functions: Participates fully in educational development through staff and section meetings and assumes responsibility for professional development by attending relevant training and regularly reviewing the literature to improve clinical competencies and meet continuing professional education requirements to maintain current competence and licensure. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 8:00am- 4:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VISN17EDRP2@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Preferred Experience: Graduation from formally accredited school or college of optometry Completion of an ACOE accredited postgraduate residency Unrestricted license to practice optometry in a state, territory or commonwealth of the United States, including the District of Columbia Experience in direct patient care Experience in co-management of patients with ophthalmology Experience in the ordering and interpretation of diagnostic tests to include, but not limited to: Humphrey visual fields, OCT macula, OCT RNFL Requirements Conditions of Employment All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Physical Requirements: This position may require potentially long periods of continued Moderate lifting of 15-44 pounds, Moderate carrying of 15-44 pounds, Pushing for .5 hours, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking for 3.5 hours, Standing for 4 hours, Both legs required, Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, Both eyes required, Depth perception, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Ability to distinguish shades of colors, Hearing (aid permitted). Qualifications Basic 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 for the year in which the course of study was completed. Approved schools are: (1) 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. (2) Schools (including foreign schools) accepted by the licensing body of a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia as qualifying for full or unrestricted licensure. License or Registration: Licensed to practice optometry in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Optometrists are required to possess full and unrestricted licensure and to maintain a current registration in their State of licensure if this is a requirement of the particular State. The facility Director may waive this requirement if the optometrist is to serve in a country other than the United States and the optometrist has licensure in that country. Residents. Licensure in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia before completion of the first year of VA residency. Unlicensed residents must meet any registration or other equivalent requirements established for optometric residents of non-VA facilities or optometry clinics with which the VA facility is affiliated for training purposes during the first year of VA residency. Grade Determinations: Associate Grade. None beyond the basic requirements. Full Grade. Two 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 the 2 years of practice. Candidate must have demonstrated the professional competence and performance necessary to provide independently the full range of clinical optometric diagnosis and treatment for all the most prevalent types of vision dysfunctions and the detection and referral of patients with ocular disease or ocular manifestations of systemic disease. Intermediate Grade. Meets the requirements in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) below: 1) 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. 2) The optometrist at this level has successfully passed the examinations of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry and has attained either of the following: (a) The stature that would warrant appointment at the clinical instructor or higher level at a school or college of optometry. (b) The professional ability and personal attributes which have merited significant recognition by a recognized professional organization, such as election to a Fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry. 3) Has achieved a high level of professional attainment as illustrated by one or more of the following examples: (a) Is a recognized expert in the diagnosis and treatment of unusual and complicated visual dysfunctions. Typically, in this capacity serves as a consultant to optometrist and other professionals in other health facilities or provides expert clinical services in such areas as the partially sighted or contact lenses for aphasics. (b) Has assumed responsibility for a multi-faceted optometric program including clinical research and/or training requiring a high degree of competence and skill in developing innovative and new and advanced instrumentation and treatment techniques. Typically, the program is in an educationally affiliated health care facility having an optometric training program of moderate scope involving liaison with other medical services and affiliated schools. (c) Has played a significant part in the conduct of vision research in a problem area of considerable scope and complexity which required novel approaches and which resulted in answers to important questions or important changes in existing methods and techniques. Publications authored by the optometrist are of considerable value to others in the individual's field. Typically, overall contributions are recognized by serving on important committees or other bodies in the profession. (d) Has had full responsibility for carrying out an optometric training program of significant size in which the optometrist has been responsible for maintaining liaison with the affiliated school and other educational institutions and professional or scientific organizations. Innovative approaches in development of curriculum and course content and in expanding and improving the educational program have been displayed by the individual. Senior Grade. Meets the requirements for Intermediate grade and the requirements in paragraphs (1) and (2) below: 1) 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. 2) Has demonstrated recognized superior professional attainment as evidenced by one or more of the following examples: (a) Has served as a team leader in attacking major optometric problems affecting the continued provision of quality care health services at a VISN, statewide, or national level. There is such confidence in the optometrist at this level that there is unusual support of the individual's recommendations and conclusions. (b) Has had responsibility for carrying out a major optometric program segment on a national level. (c) Has conducted high level studies in a difficult area of vision research which has contributed to a substantial advance in the health field, with important professional publications Chief Grade. Meets the requirements for Senior grade and must demonstrate a sustained very high level of professional performance with evidence of exceptional professional and/or administrative development by the following: 1) 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. 2) Outstanding professional attainment. Examples of such attainment are: (a) Achievement of outstanding results in research which are regarded as having a major impact on advancing the field.(b) Significant number of noteworthy publications in professional journals.(b) Significant number of noteworthy publications in professional journals. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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 for the year in which the course of study was completed. Approved schools are: (1) 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. (2) Schools (including foreign schools) accepted by the licensing body of a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia as qualifying for full or unrestricted licensure 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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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.