Optometrist

<p>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. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>This is an Open Continuous Announcement and may be extended beyond the current closing date until the position is filled. Eligible applications will be referred at regular intervals, as additional vacancies occur and/or on an as-needed basis during the duration of the announcement. Once a selection is made and offer is accepted the announcement may close pending no additional vacancies. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. 2023 VHA Total Reward$ of a PA, Optometrist, Chiropractor, EFDA VA Career Brochure.pdf EDRP Authorized: Contact jennifer.isbell-gross@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance 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 CME: Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement (must be full-time with board certification) Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting The Optometrist is a Staff Optometrist under the Chief of Optometry Section. Duties: The staff optometrist duties will be performed in the Eye Clinic at Ft. Smith, Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System of the Ozarks. The Optometrist will be responsible to ensure all documentations are complete according to the VA guidelines. All progress notes should be entered in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS). All patient related orders should be entered in the CPRS as per VA guidelines. The following is a list of some of the procedures and services the Optometrist will be required to perform: Provide comprehensive eye care services as well as follow-up care of existing conditions and management of emergency conditions. Examination of the human eye to diagnose and treat abnormal conditions of the human eye or adnexa. Prescribing of lenses, devices containing lenses, prisms, contact lenses, orthotics, vision training, pharmaceutical agents, and prosthetic devices to correct, relieve or treat defects or abnormal conditions or the human eye or its adnexa. Referral to and consultation with other health care providers. Education of patients, residents, students, and medical staff regarding ocular anomalies, ocular disease, and sight conservation. Participate in the clinical supervision of optometry residents and student externs if available. Serves as Optometrist under the immediate supervision of the Chief of Optometry within the Surgical Care Service Line. Work Schedule: 8:00am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday</p><h3>Requirements</h3>U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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). You may be required to serve a probationary period. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. Preferred Experience: Completion of Residency Program Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Light carrying, under 15 lbs Both hands required Use of fingers Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously Ability to distinguish basic colors Hearing conversational voice Working alone<h3>Education</h3>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.