LAREDO TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC. (LTSi) is a government contracting company in San Antonio, Texas. LTSi is currently submitting a proposal on a contract with the Department of Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center, Southeast Louisiana Healthcare System (SLVHCS) for one (1) individual that would be interested in a position as an Optometrist at the location listed below in New Orleans, Louisiana, should LTSi win the contract.

You would be a W-2 employee for LTSi and NOT a VA employee.

You must submit your resume and complete the LTSi application at www.laredotechnical.com/jobseekers to be considered for the position.

The contract is scheduled to run for 5 (five)-years.

Position Description

Title: Optometrist SLVHCS New Orleans

Location: VA Southeast Louisiana Healthcare System

2400 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70119

Job Summary: The Contractor shall provide Optometry Provider Services and Ophthalmology Health Technician/Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) services on-site in accordance with the specifications contained herein to beneficiaries of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System (SLVHCS). Contractor shall provide optical care services ONLY as outlined herein.

Period of Performance: This contract is currently scheduled to begin March 1, 2023. However, this date is subject to change, if required.

The contract is scheduled to end on February 29, 2028, unless extended or terminated by the VA.

Availability date (credentialing 4-8 weeks is standard).

Personnel Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

Experience: Minimum of one year of experience in Optometry and Board Certified. Prior VA Medical Center experience is a plus.

Citizenship: Must be a US Citizen or have evidence of having a green card.

Education Educational Requirements. Optometrist shall have completed both a bachelor's program and a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) program. Advanced Training. In addition to completing O.D. program, Optometrist shall have had the option of going on to receive additional training in a residency program. Licensure Information: The BLS reports that in order to practice optometry, state licensure is required (www.bls.gov).

Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. All providers are required to have completed an ACOE-approved optometry residency program.

Must validate evidence of professional and clinical background enough to be deemed equivalent to an approved residency program experience.

Certification(s)/Licensure:

Must provide proof of Optometrist’s current unencumbered licensure in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia to include issue date and expiration date.

Optometrist must be certified by The American Board of Optometry.

Note: Advance certifications such as Certified Ophthalmic Technician or Certified Medical Ophthalmic Technologist are/is acceptable.

Optometrist must have a current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association. Certification must be provided with application.

Required to maintain certification through the utilization of organizations such as the American Board of Physician Specialties.

Must provide valid proof of a current PPD/TB test to include results.

Must provide both National Provider Identifier Standard (NPI) and Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) number.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must speak and write English proficiently.

Must have the ability and credentialing to diagnose and treat eye-related disorders and conditions.

Prefer individuals within a 50-mile radius to location, but not mandatory.

Provide outpatient care for patients with eye-related disorders, conditions, and any emergent conditions.

Answer beneficiary questions related to exams, prescriptions any pre-operative/ post-operative questions and care.

Conduct routine eye examinations, as well as visual field tests.

Conduct vision tests ordered in a standard vision exam.

Take detailed medical histories for all patients, including current and past prescription medications.

Maintain professional customer relations. Meet the needs of customers while supporting VA missions. Consistently communicate and treat customers (veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a well-mannered, tactful, and respectful manner.

Provide the customer with accurate information according to established policies and procedures.

Work closely with COR and staff members regarding administrative issues as early as possible once issues are discovered.

Must ensure that all clinical privileges are up to date with the National Standards.

Responsible for maintaining communications and emails on a weekly basis.

Must comply with current standards for medical record documentation, professional accountability, and administrative responsibilities outlined in this performance work statement.

Must be accountable for completing chart audits.

Must possess knowledge of the following: instruments, devices, pharmaceutical agents’ procedures with the purpose of investigating, examining, treating, diagnosing, or correcting visual defects or abnormal conditions of the human eye such as but not limited to:

• Keratometer
• Pachymeter
• Microkeratome
• Lasers
• Phoropter
• Ophthalmoscope
• Retinal Camera.
• Snellen Chart
• Tonometer both Applanation and Tonopen
• Retinoscope.
• VT 1 Vision Screener
• Slit lamp
• Indirect and Direct Ophthalmometers
• Spectacle lens measurement automated and manual

Prescriptions must be entered by a VA licensed optometrist or VA authorized designee. Prescriptions must be electronically linked to a VA clinical exam note, VA electronic order, or VA authorized appointment for use in the performance of this contract.

Must possess knowledge and clinical experience in order to prescribe lenses, devices containing lenses, prisms, tints, contact lenses, orthoptics, vision training, pharmaceutical agents, low vision aids and other prosthetic devices to correct, relieve, or treat defects or abnormal conditions or the human eye.

Contractor Personnel Elements of Competence: Contractor personnel shall have the ability to interpret, prescribe and dispense prescriptions using appropriate lens strength, corrections, and facial frame measurements. Including eye measurements for contact lenses. Contractor personnel must be able to fulfill the following requirements:

• Identify anomalies in a prescription and implement the appropriate course of action.
• Identify possible errors in a prescription and follow the appropriate course of action.
• Identify and explain any problems which may occur from the given prescription and offers solutions, for example, aniseikonia, anisometropia.
• Must refer and consult with other health care providers within the medical center as indicated.
• Measure and verify that the lenses are correctly fitted to the orbit of the eye.
• Must have comprehension and knowledge of screening procedures necessary to assist in proper routing of patients to appropriate health care providers.
• Demonstrate correct prescriptions; understand the following lens parameters: lens form, design, materials, coatings and tints, prism.
• Manage non-tolerance cases.
• Address problems to include verifying Rx.
• Must be accountable for educating to SLVHCS Stakeholders regarding ocular anomalies, ocular disease, and sight conservation, including participation in the clinical oversight of optometry residents and student externs.