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Veterans Health Administration is Hiring an Optometrist Near Lubbock, TX

Qualifications:

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.
• English Language Proficiency: Optometrists appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).
• 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 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 Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association, in the list published for the year in which the course of study was completed.
  • 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: Licensed to practice optometry in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Optometrists are required to possess full and unrestricted licensure and to maintain a current registration in their State of licensure if this is a requirement of the particular State.

Preferred Experience:

• Board Certified/Board Eligible in Optometry
• Four years of optometric practice or its equivalent
• Diagnosis and treatment of unusual and complicated visual dysfunctions
• Diagnose and treat ocular disease
• Use corneal diagnostic modalities, such as slit lamp, topography, pachymetry, photography, and confocal microscopy to detect, characterize, and document corneal pathologies

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.

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 all the requirements 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 and has attained either of the following:
   • a. The stature that would warrant appointment at the clinical instructor or higher level at a school or college of optometry.
   • b. The professional ability and personal attributes which have merited significant recognition by a recognized professional organization, such as election to a Fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry
3. Has achieved a high level of professional attainment as illustrated by one or more of the following examples:
   • Is a recognized expert in the diagnosis and treatment of unusual and complicated visual dysfunctions. Typically, in this capacity serves as a consultant to optometrist and other professionals in other health facilities or provides expert clinical services in such areas as the partially sighted or contact lenses for aphasics.
   • Has assumed responsibility for a multi-faceted optometric program including clinical research and/or training requiring a high degree of competence and skill in developing innovative and new and advanced instrumentation and treatment techniques. Typically, the program is in an educationally affiliated health care facility having an optometric training program of moderate scope involving liaison with other medical services and affiliated schools.
   • Has played a significant part in the conduct of vision research in a problem area of considerable scope and complexity which required novel approaches and which resulted in answers to important questions or important changes in existing methods and techniques. Publications authored by the optometrist are of considerable value to others in the individual's field. Typically, overall contributions are recognized by serving on important committees or other bodies in the profession.
   • Has had full responsibility for carrying out an optometric training program of significant size in which the optometrist has been responsible for maintaining liaison with the affiliated school and other educational institutions and professional or scientific organizations. Innovative approaches in development of curriculum and course content and in expanding and improving the educational program have been displayed by the individual.

Senior Grade. Meets the requirements for Intermediate grade and the requirements in paragraphs 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.

Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G5 Optometrist Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

Physical Requirements: The position requires compliance with VA Handbook and VANTHCS Policy related to physical requirements. Moderate Lifting of 15-44 pounds, Moderate carrying of 15-44 pounds, Pushing for .5 hours, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking 3.5 hours, Standing 4 hours, Both legs required, Near vision at 13 to 16' Jaeger 1 to 4, Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other eye, Both eyes required, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Ability to distinguish shades of colors, Hearing (aid may be permitted).

Responsibilities:

The staff optometrist at the Amarillo VA Healthcare System is credentialed and privileged through the chief of staff in accordance with the medical staff bylaws. Optometry is organizationally part of the surgical care line and individual performance evaluations will be done by the chief of the ophthalmology section. The staff optometrist is a licensed independent practitioner responsible for patient care activities in the ophthalmology clinic. Planning, coordinating and exercising professional judgement in initiating and implementing clinical and administrative decisions are integral components of the position.

Clinical Functions: Exercises independent professional judgement in diagnosing the full range of ophthalmic conditions as well as planning and executing the necessary treatments for patients who have illnesses within the scope of optometry. The scope of these activities covers all phases of ambulatory care. Promotes communication between eye clinic team members, patients and their families to facilitate the medical treatment process. Consults with ophthalmologists and others, when necessary to augment the care of patients as it relates to emergent and traumatic conditions as well as ophthalmic manifestations of systemic conditions. Utilizes the general clinical privileges which include ordering diagnostic tests and writing prescriptions for medications or other items on the hospital formulary. The optometrist should also demonstrate knowledge of preventive medicine and primary care as related to optometry (e.g. complications of disorders and treatments, side effects of medications used). Independently exercises creativity in solving problems without direct supervisory guidance to meet the varying needs of patients while under care in the eye clinic and assures that a high degree of quality patient care is provided at all times.

Administrative Functions: Maintains accurate and timely patient medical record entries in Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS). Also complies with all VHA Privacy Policy (HIPPA) requirements. The incumbent will attend regularly scheduled section, surgical service and medical staff meetings. Performs administrative duties at the direction of the ophthalmology/optometry section chief. Follows accepted infection control and safety procedures as well as other station policy procedures.

Research Functions: Participates, where appropriate, in research in basic visual science and clinical optometry including epidemiological studies, clinical trials and evaluation of alternative health care delivery systems to enhance patient care.

Education Functions: Participates fully in educational development through staff and section meetings and assumes responsibility for professional development by attending relevant training and regularly reviewing the literature to improve clinical competencies and meet continuing professional education requirements to maintain current competence and licensure.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)
VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards.
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

Job Summary