Staff Optometrist

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Fredericksburg (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Staff Optometrist at the Fredericksburg Health Care Center. The position operates in an ambulatory care setting and is credentialed and privileged through the Medical Staff Office under the Chief of Staff.

Optometry is part of the Surgery Service Line with input on staff performance via the Ophthalmology Section Lead. Applicants may be tentatively referred while completing licensure and education requirements; full eligibility must be met prior to

Job description

The position is located at the Fredericksburg Health Care Center (HCC). The Staff Optometrist operates in an ambulatory care setting within the facility. Optometrists is credentialed and privileged through the Medical Staff Office Supervisor under the auspices of the Chief of Staff IAW with Medical Staff Bylaws. Optometry is organizationally part of the Surgery Service Line and input on staff effectiveness and individual Performance Evals will be obtained by the Ophthalmology Section Lead.

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.

Podiatrist Basic Requirements

• Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.) in accordance with section7402(c) to title 38, United States Code (U.S.C). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens according to 38 U.S.C. §7407(a).
• 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.. ~AND~
• 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.
• Waiver of Licensure. Licensure requirements may be waived by the Under Secretary for Health or designee in the VHA Central Office for individuals in research, academic, or administrative assignments involving no direct patient care responsibilities in accordance with current regulations. In addition, the facility director may waive this licensure requirement if the Optometrist is to serve in a country other than the United States, and the Optometrist has licensure in that country. (See VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section B, paragraph 14, on waiver of licensure provisions.) NOTE: Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct, professional incompetence or substandard care, or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the state for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored. See 38 U.S.C. § 7402(f)). This requirement does not apply to licensed Optometrists on VA rolls as of November 30, 1999, provided they maintain continuous appointment and are not disqualified for employment by any subsequent revocations or voluntary surrenders of state license, registration, or certification.
• 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. NOTE: The Approving Official may approve, under unusual circumstances, a waiver of residency or comparable experience.
• Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
• English Language Proficiency. Optometrists appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38U.S.C. § 7402(d) and 7407(d).

Preferred Experience: 2 plus years experience in the field

Grade Determinations

Staff Optometrist

None beyond the basic requirements. The individual must possess the experience to perform general optometry duties, including clinical oversight of trainees as needed, and some specialized functions and procedures without supervision.

Reference

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is VM-15.

Physical Requirements:

This clinical position includes a level of physicality associated with direct patient care. The position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical patient lifts are provided and are to be used to preserve patient and staff safety.