optometrist (clinical) - Beckley, WV, United States - Department of Veterans Affairs

Description

Summary

Serves as a staff optometrist within the Beckley VA Medical Center in Beckley, West Virginia. The incumbent performs direct medical care in their specialty.

The individual is responsible for maintenance of the highest standards of professional care in the outpatient management of Optometry patients served by the facility.

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Overview

• Accepting applications
• Open & closing dates

03/27/2024 to 09/30/2024

• Salary

$72,553 - $186,854 per year

• Pay scale & grade

VP

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Beckley, WV 1 vacancy
• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent -* Work schedule

Full-time -* Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

15

• Job family (Series)

0662 Optometrist

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Not Required

• Drug test

Yes

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Credentialing

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CBTF JC

• Control number

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This job is open to

• The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.

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Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Examine eyes, using observation, instruments, and pharmaceutical agents, to determine visual acuity and perception, focus and coordination and to diagnosis diseases and other abnormalities, such as glaucoma or color blindness.
• Analyze test results and develop a treatment plan.
• Prescribe, supply fit and adjust eyeglasses, contact lenses and other vision aids.
• Prescribe medications to treat eye diseases when applicable.
• Educate and counsel patients on contact lens care, visual hygiene, lighting arrangements and safety factors.
• Remove foreign bodies from the eye.
• Provide patients undergoing eye surgeries, such as cataract and laser correction with pre- and post- operative care.
• Consult with and refer patients to Ophthalmologist or other health care practitioner if additional medical treatment is determined necessary.
• Prescribe therapeutic procedures to correct or conserve vision.
• Provide vision therapy and low vision rehabilitation.
• Planning, coordinating, and exercising professional judgement in initiating and implementing administrative and clinical decisions.
• Document and maintain records pertaining to patients.
• Examine, diagnose, and perform specific optometric treatments for conditions of the vision system.
• Exercise independent professional judgment in diagnosing the full range of complex optometric conditions as well as planning and executing the necessary treatment programs to meet complex and frequent changes in the treatment objective.
• Utilize various examination techniques of vision, eye, and related structures to determine the presence of vision anomalies, diseases, and/or other abnormalities; treating eye conditions by prescribing and adapting spectacle lenses, optical aids., etc.; referring patients to other health professionals for further diagnosis and treatments.
• Provide patients undergoing eye surgeries, such as cataract and laser correction with pre- and post- operative care.
• Provide emotional support and comfort to patients and their families during treatment interventions.
• Educate and counsel patients on contact lens care, visual hygiene, lighting arrangements and safety factors.
• Accountable to the Chief of Specialty Integrated Clinical Community, for assuring the most effective delivery of care in Optometry while meeting and exceeding compliance standards.
• Manage patient workload within available staffing, which may include support of health technicians.
• Perform the usual administrative components of patient care management, such as: documentation of progress notes and consultation findings in an electronic medical record, electronic entry, and signature of all orders for inpatients and outpatients, etc.
• Performs other directly related duties as required.

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

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See Additional Information below for details.

Qualifications


Basic Requirements:
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 or Registration

• Optometrist (Except Residents). 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.
• Residents. Licensure in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia before completion of the first year of VA residency. Unlicensed residents must meet any registration or other equivalent requirements established for optometric residents of non-VA facilities or optometry clinics with which the VA facility is affiliated for training purposes during the first year of VA residency.
• Impaired Licensure. An optometrist who has, or has ever had, any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed on a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions of chapter 3, section B, paragraph 14, this part.

English Language Proficiency. Physicians appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7402(d) and7407(d).

Grade Level Requirements.

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

Intermediate Grade VP-13.

Candidates must meet 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.

Education

Note:
Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment.

You can verify your education here:
If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education


For further information, visit:
Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply.

The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive , VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy).

VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations.

If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date.

The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

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• Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.

As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

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Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.


NOTE:
A formal pay-setting process will be used to determine your salary. The salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members:

Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.