Staff Optometrist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Vero Beach (FL); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation incentives

Job summary

The West Palm Beach VA Healthcare at the Vero Beach location seeks an experienced Optometrist to contribute to quality care standards and the growth of a VA academic hospital program. You must be an excellent communicator and team player adaptable to a growing medical center.

Relocation/Recruitment incentives: You may qualify for relocation expenses. Duties include comprehensive eye exams, prescribing glasses, diagnosing ocular diseases, and collaborating with Ophthalmology while supervising

Qualifications

• Must have Doctor of Optometry degree from an approved school/college.
• Must hold an active, full, unrestricted optometry license in the U.S.
• English language proficiency required for communication and documentation.
• Pre-employment examination required.
• Grade level determined by experience and training as outlined in VA qualification standards.

Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive eye exams and diagnostic tests.
• Prescribe glasses and manage ocular conditions.
• Diagnose, treat, and refer ocular diseases in coordination with ophthalmology.
• Collaborate with optometry and ophthalmology teams; contribute to externship programs.
• Document clinical assessments, plans, and outcomes for veterans.

Skills

Communication skills

Team collaboration

English proficiency

Education

Doctor of Optometry (OD)

Active unrestricted optometry license

Job description

Summary

The West Palm Beach VA Healthcare at the Vero Beach location is seeking an experienced and dynamic Optometrist. Ideal applicants are those who want to contribute to the achievement of quality care standards - as well as the growth and development of a VA academic hospital program. You must be an excellent communicator and team player who is adaptable to the needs of a growing medical center. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses.

Summary

The West Palm Beach VA Healthcare at the Vero Beach location is seeking an experienced and dynamic Optometrist. Ideal applicants are those who want to contribute to the achievement of quality care standards - as well as the growth and development of a VA academic hospital program. You must be an excellent communicator and team player who is adaptable to the needs of a growing medical center. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses.

Qualifications

PLEASE READ THE COMPLETE ANNOUNCEMENT TO ENSURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND SUBMIT A COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKET.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

• All applicants must meet the following basic qualifications
• Citizenship
• Must be a citizen of the United States
• Education
• Must have a 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
• -OR- (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 Licensure or Registration
• You must possess an 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
• Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d) Physical Standards
• Must pass a pre-employment examination
• See below for additional information
• 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:(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(3) 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: (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: 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
• Has had responsibility for carrying out a major optometric program segment on a national level
• 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
• References: VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G5 - Optometrist Qualification Standard
• 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.

Duties

• This is an open and continuous announcement - applicants will regularly be referred as found eligible/qualified
• The West Palm Beach VA Healthcare is seeking an experienced and dynamic Optometrist
• Ideal applicants are those who want to contribute to the achievement of quality care standards - as well as the growth and development of a VA academic hospital program
• You must be an excellent communicator and team player who is adaptable to the needs of a growing medical center.Duties and responsibilities include - but is not limited to: The Optometrist is expected to demonstrate advanced competencies and skills in providing diagnostic - preventative and therapeutic health
• Diagnosing the full range of complex ophthalmic conditions
• Planning and executing the necessary treatment programs
• Integrating eye care service with other professionals
• Working closely with both Optometry and Ophthalmology to provide eye care to veterans
• Contributing to the teaching - supervising and administration of optometric externship programs
• Provide comprehensive assessment - diagnostic work-up and clinic intervention - including patient assessment - health history - physical examination - and patient education to veterans
• Ordering and evaluating diagnostic tests as appropriate - recommending treatment and/or referral
• Validating the effectiveness of previously implemented medical treatment
• Recording/documenting health appraisal information - clinical assessments - treatment decisions - plan of care - ongoing management and therapeutic outcomes
• Ordering medications - diagnostic tests and referral consultations where needed for every patient encounter
• 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 adjustment of optical aids for visually impaired patients
• The purpose of the work is to provide quality patient care service to veterans and enhance the productivity - efficiency and effectiveness of the patient care activities in the Eye Clinic
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary - regular salary increases - potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) 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 Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8 AM - 4:30 PM(Note: Work schedules are determined and approved by the supervisor The incumbent may be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis based on facility/patient care needs) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required