Optometrist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Kapolei (HI); On-site; USD 190,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Staff Optometrist at the Daniel Akaka VA Clinic in Kapolei, HI. You will deliver comprehensive eye care, collaborate with Ophthalmology and interdisciplinary teams, and participate in patient education and treatment planning.

Requirements include an active unrestricted OD license, English proficiency, and VA credentials. Work hours are 7:30am–4:00pm, Monday–Friday, with a comprehensive benefits package, CME opportunities, and federal retirement

Qualifications

• Active, unrestricted Doctor of Optometry license in a U.S. state (Hawaiʻi preferred).
• U.S. Citizenship or eligibility per VA hiring rules.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive eye examinations and vision assessments.
• Develop and implement individualized treatment plans.
• Co-manage ocular conditions with Ophthalmology and other teams.
• Prescribe eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other vision aids.
• Educate patients on eye health, safety, and treatment options.
• Utilize VA EHR for encounters, orders, and documentation.

Skills

English proficiency

OD license (active)

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Doctor of Optometry (OD)

Job description

Summary

This position is located at the Daniel Akaka VA Clinic in Kapolei - HI. Staff Optometrists collaborate with Ophthalmology and other interdisciplinary teams. Administrative reporting follows VAPIHCS service line structures.

Qualifications

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.

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
• Degree of doctor of medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in allopathic medicine or osteopathic medicine
• The degree must have been obtained from one of the schools approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed
• Current - full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a State - Territory - or Commonwealth of the United States - or in the District of Columbia
• Residency Training: Physicians must have completed residency training - approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification
• (NOTE: VA physicians involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status.) Approved residencies are: (1) Those approved by the accrediting bodies for graduate medical education - the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA) - in the list published for the year the residency - or fellowship if applicable - was completed
• OR (2) One year of post medical school training (internship - first year of residency - or transitional year residency) approved by ACGME or AOA followed by two years of post-training independent practice (performing under a full and unrestricted license) in the United States
• OR (3) Non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States (performing under a full and unrestricted license) performing duties related to the position they are applying for (United States fellowships would be creditable towards this requirement) - which the local Medical Staff Executive Committee deems to have provided the applicant with appropriate professional training and believes has exposed the Physician to an appropriate range of patient care experiences
• Exceptions: Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency training programs and who would otherwise meet the basic requirements for appointment are eligible to be appointed as "Physician Resident Providers" (PRPs)
• PRPs must be fully licensed physicians (i.e. - not a training license) and may only be appointed on an intermittent basis
• PRPs are not considered independent practitioners and will not be privileged
• rather - they are to have a "scope of practice" that allows them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision
• Additionally - surgery residents in gap years may also be appointed as PRPs
• In rare and unusual circumstances - the Facility Director can submit a memo to the VISN Director through the VISN Chief Medical Officer - who may approve requests for reasonable exceptions to the residency training requirement for Physicians whose composite record of experience - accomplishments - performance - and qualifications warrant such action
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Additional Requirement: Active - unrestricted Doctor of Optometry (OD) license in a U.S. state or territory (Hawaiʻi licensure preferred)
• Current VA credentials and privileges - including DEA registration if prescribing privileges require
• Maintenance of continuing education per VA and state requirements
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Complete TB Testing and Immunization evaluations
• See VA Directive/Handbook 5019

Duties

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00pm - Monday -Friday 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 Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting Optometrists provide comprehensive eye and vision care - including the following core services: Comprehensive eye examinations (visual acuity - refraction - binocular vision - color vision - intraocular pressure - dilated fundus evaluation)
• Diagnostic testing using approved instruments and pharmaceutical agents to evaluate ocular disease and visual function
• Analysis of test results and development of individualized treatment plans
• Prescription - fitting - and adjustment of eyeglasses - contact lenses - and other vision aids
• Patient education and counseling on contact lens care - visual hygiene - ergonomics/lighting - and eye safety
• Foreign body removal from the ocular surface when clinically indicated and within privileges
• Pre- and post-operative care for ocular surgeries (e.g. - cataract - laser vision correction) in collaboration with Ophthalmology
• Prescription of therapeutic procedures and vision rehabilitation to conserve or improve visual function
• Consult and refer to Ophthalmology or other disciplines when additional medical/surgical treatment is required
• Establish co-management plans with Ophthalmology for surgical cases and chronic disease management (e.g. - glaucoma - diabetic retinopathy)
• Utilize VA referral pathways and document rationale - urgency - and expected follow-up intervals
• Provide same-day triage and management of urgent ocular complaints (e.g. - acute red eye - vision loss - ocular trauma) within scope and privileges
• arrange emergent care when indicated
• Operate and interpret findings from approved diagnostic devices (e.g. - slit-lamp biomicroscopy - tonometry - pachymetry - automated perimetry - OCT - fundus photography) per training and privileges
• ensure calibration and adherence to device-specific safety protocols
• Utilize the VA electronic health record (EHR) for accurate - timely documentation of encounters - orders - and patient communications
• Use standardized optometry templates and include history - assessment - plan - patient education - and follow-up
• Ensure coding compliance and appropriate encounter closures
• Participate in performance improvement initiatives and quality metrics (e.g. - diabetic eye exam completion - glaucoma follow-up adherence)
• Practice in accordance with evidence-based guidelines and VA directives
• engage in peer review and case discussions.