Optometrist with Recruitment/Relocation Incentive and Education Debt Reduction - Full-time

Summary

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.

Qualifications

United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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: (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 OR (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. 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. The facility Director may waive this requirement if the optometrist is to serve in a country other than the United States and the optometrist has licensure in that country. 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). Grade Determinations: 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: 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;- 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:- The stature that would warrant appointment at the clinical instructor or higher level at a school or college of optometry.- 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.- 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.

Duties

"The incumbent, Optometrist, will be assigned to the Surgical Service.
Each optometrist will be established and maintain professional relationships within Medical Service, and with other services and facility management which result in improved patient care.
The incumbent in this position reports to the Section Chief of Optometry.
Administrative Responsibilities: Participates in and attends medical center committees as assigned by the Section Chief of Optometry and the Chief of Surgery.
Demonstrates commitment to high quality customer service, including specific measures identified as performance goal measures by the Medical Center.
Identifies individual professional learning needs and participates in formal programs, workshops, seminars, conferences, as well as self-directed learned and facility wide mandatory TMS training.
Actively participates in the Performance Improvement process of the medical center and/or assigned CBOC.
Integrates pertinent aspects of the performance improvement program into his/her professional practice.
Clinical Responsibilities: Demonstrates sound decision-making skills, both clinical and administrative, which bring credit to the profession and serve to enhance the distinctive and contributory for patient care Facilitate the delivery of appropriate patient care in collaboration with other health professional, medical center staff, and management.
Participates in peer review process when requested.
Participates in multidisciplinary activities involving the treatment plan and discharge plans of patients.
Exhibits leadership in initiating changes in patient care programs based on current concepts and finding from research and studies.
Keeps informed of developments in the management and treatment of diseases and illness through continuing medical education, both formal and informal.
Successfully integrates patient care activities on Clinical Services and other patient care programs at the medical center and in the community such as Social Work, Prosthetics, Home Based Primary Care (HBPC), and private nursing home Assist medical providers using ocular health and optical.
Completes all medical record documentation in CPRS/EMRS within prescribed timeframes and accuracy.
Includes patient/family/significant other/health care provider in establishing realistic, measurable goals related to health education and treatment plan and in planning care on a continuum; assists staff in the process of mutual goal setting.
Utilizes problem solving methodologies to resolve problems that impact on patient care of staff performance and makes decisions based on professional standards.
Prescribe pharmacotherapeutic and Non pharmacotherapeutic regimes according to clinical privileges.
Monitors and evaluated patients' responses to treatment plans as they pertain to the ocular health and visual needs of Veterans.
Actively participates in the Performance Improvement process of the medical center and/or assigned CBOC.
Integrates pertinent aspects of the performance improvement program into his/her professional practice.
Promote professional development through independent study and by attending education programs to increase knowledge base and maintain professional certification.
VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Approved.
EDRP: This position is eligible for 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 your start date.
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.
Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov for questions/assistance.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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: Monday-Friday: 08:00-4:30 PM"