Optometrist

Summary
This Open Continuous Announcement may eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy & submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount up to $200 -000 & eligibility period 1-5 years are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.
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 (VA) 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 Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) - in the list published for the year in which the course of study was completed
Licensure/Registration: Optometrists must possess a current - full and unrestricted license to practice optometry - and maintain a current registration in a state - territory - or Commonwealth of the United States - or in the District of Columbia that requires successful passage of all parts of National Board of Examiners in Optometry intended for basic licensure
The Optometrist must maintain current registration in the state of licensure if this is a requirement for continuing active - current licensure
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 - as described below: (1) Approved residencies are those with 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
(NOTE: The Approving Official may approve - under unusual circumstances - a waiver of residency or comparable experience)
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: (1) Such employees are considered to have met the basic qualification requirements for the purposes of transferring or reassignment to another Optometrist position within VA
(2) 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
(3) 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
(4) 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
(NOTE: This provision is not intended to regularize appointments/ placements)
Preferred Experience: Demonstrated knowledge of and/or skill in adult learning principles - with the ability to apply them in continuing education programs for staff and patients
Demonstrated knowledge of and/or skill in the psychosocial aspects of health care needed to deliver comprehensive patient care
Demonstrated knowledge of and/or skill in preventive medicine and primary care
Demonstrated knowledge of and/or skill in the roles of non-physician health care professionals
Demonstrated knowledge of and/or skill in health care evaluation
Experience with telemedicine - particularly diabetic teleretinal screening
An advanced degree - such as a Master of Business Administration - Master of Health Administration - or Master of Public Health - is preferred
Interest in and commitment to health care delivery systems and population health management
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
Duties
The Clinical Optometrist serves Veterans by providing high-quality eye care through in-person examinations at the Syracuse VA Eye Clinic and through virtual care in the Technology-based Eye Care Services (TECS) program
This position is stationed at the Syracuse VA and reports directly to the Chief of Ophthalmology
The optometrist is a fully integrated member of the interdisciplinary telehealth care team and practices to the full scope of eye care based on education - training - licensure - and competency
The position emphasizes prevention and wellness as the guiding philosophy of practice and seeks a cost-effective provider who ensures adequate access and maintains a high standard of quality - as measured by patient satisfaction
Duties for this position include but are not limited to: I
Clinical Responsibilities (90% of time) Diagnose and treat patients with medical and surgical eye diseases through in-person clinic at the Syracuse VA Eye Clinic
Provide screening and follow-up eye care virtually through the TECS program as needed - delivering the same quality of care as an in-person exam
Actively participate in patient care - regardless of how care is delivered
Diagnose and treat patients with medical diseases through ambulatory and bed-based resources assigned to Ophthalmology and Optometry
Participate in hospital rounds - morning reports - conferences - consultations - ambulatory care - assigned call duty - and similar activities as needed
Read TECS photographic sets in a timely fashion
Follow TECS protocols and procedures
Participate in national peer review
Identify patients who require a higher level of care and refer them to Ophthalmology - with the aid of an ophthalmologist
Coordinate and contact patients to arrange follow-up care and ancillary tests throughout the medical center
II
Academic - Teaching - and Training (5% of time) Participate in the education of optometry students associated with the Syracuse VA Eye Clinic
Recruit optometry students for other Syracuse VAMC CBOC locations - as able and suited
Participate in recruiting qualified individuals to join the TECS program - as available and appropriate
Provide education about the TECS program to new sites VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
VHA Physician Total Rewards
Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Position(s) listed under this Open Continuous Announcement (OCA) may be eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program
Applicants selected for an EDRP-eligible position will be notified in their conditional job offer
The selectee must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment
Program 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 review of the EDRP application
Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply
Learn more
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
Contact [email protected] - 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
Work Schedule: Full-time - Hours will be discussed during interview.