PLEASE READ THE COMPLETE ANNOUNCEMENT TO ENSURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND SUBMIT A COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKET. This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and will remain on file through December 31, 2025. Eligible applicants will be referred each month as vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Must be a US Citizen. 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: 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- 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. Licensure or Registration. Active, full and unrestricted license to practice optometry in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia; and to maintain a current registration in your State of licensure if this is a requirement of the particular State. English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d) optometrists appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English. 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: 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: 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 has successfully passed the examinations of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry Has achieved a high level of professional attainment. Senior Grade: Meets the requirements for Intermediate grade and the requirements in paragraphs (1) and (2) below: 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 demonstrated recognized superior professional attainment. 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: 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. 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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.
In compliance with VA Policy and union requirements/recommendations for Title 38 clinical positions, internal facility employees must receive first consideration prior to hiring managers making selections externally to other applicants. So, this internal announcement ensures this is met by posting all positions internally to facility employees throughout the year. This announcement does not signify that a vacancy exists at this time. Should a true vacancy become available in this occupation/specialty, applicants will be reviewed and referred to hiring managers for consideration at that time. You will receive notification when/if your application progresses to the next stage of recruitment. Some positions/specialties are eligible for 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. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. This announcement may be used to fill various positions. You must choose which duty location and specialty you wish to be considered for. You may select multiple duty locations and specialties, but you must select at least one when you apply. You will be considered for the duty location(s)/specialties that you select when you apply. Note that there may not be any current vacancies at the time of this announcement, however, applicants may be considered for future vacancies that become available until the announcement closes. 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. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following: 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. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Work Schedule: Various work schedules available. Some positions may require rotating call coverage, weekdays, nights, weekends and/or holidays. The supervisor will determine the actual work schedule (FT, PT, Intermittent and the specific work shift) upon selection based on the needs of the organization. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Authorized. Former EDRP participants are not eligible to apply for EDRP. Contact the VISN 8 Compensation Center of Excellence at VISN8CCOE@va.gov for questions/assistance. Learn more.