Optometrist - Veterans Health Administration

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. Proficiency in spoken and written English. 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. 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: Optometrists must have successfully completed residency training, approved by the Secretary of VA in an accredited post-graduate training program, or have comparable experience. Approved residencies are: (1) 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. Exceptions: Grandfathering Provision: Employees in VHA in this occupation, under a permanent, appropriate, and legal placement on the effective date of the qualification standard, are considered to have met all basic requirements for the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic or assignment-specific requirements in this standard but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed, the following provisions apply: Such employees are considered to have met the basic qualification requirements for the purposes of transferring or reassignment to another Optometrist position within VA. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees retained in this occupation under this provision who subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional certification that meet all the basic or assignment-specific qualification requirements of this standard must maintain the required credential as a condition of employment in the assignment. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: The Physical Requirements of this position are concerned with the mental and physical ability of the applicant to satisfactorily perform the duties of the proposed assignment and may include requisite laboratory and other screening as required by Federal regulatory agencies. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. The W.G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center is seeking an Optometrist at the VA Clinic in Kernersville, NC to meet the SBYVAHCS goals and objectives, in particular those benchmarks and performance measures assigned to Optometry Service. The Optometrist provides comprehensive eye and vision care to eligible veterans presenting in clinic during scheduled regular clinic hours. This includes but is not limited to a full exercise of credentials for correction of vision, treatment of eye diseases and disorders that are within the scope of the optometrist's clinical privileges and providing rehabilitative care if applicable. This position is unique in that up to 15% of job duties includes Basic Low Vision eyecare. Other duties include but are not limited to: Clinical: Provides quality patient care to outpatients and inpatients Keeps informed of developments in the management and treatment of diseases and illness through continuing medical education, both formal and informal Integrates patient care activities Demonstrates expertise in diagnosing and treating seriously ill, multi-symptomatic patients Participates in multidisciplinary activities involving treatment plan and discharge of patients Participates as a peer reviewer when requested Provides other clinical services as assigned consistent with clinical privileges Administrative: Participates and attends medical center committees as assigned by the Chief of Opt