Louisville, KY, 40287, USA
1 day ago
Optometrist
Summary This position functions as a staff Optometrist who maintains professional, technical and administrative knowledge, competencies and skills to provide effective care and timely, quality responses to patients' clinical needs in Optometry. Responsibilities The Optometrist works as a member of a multi-disciplinary heal care team collaborating with other members of the team to provide medical care to Veterans. The Optometrist works under the general supervision of the Chief of Ophthalmology. As Optometrist, incumbent is accountable for assuring the most effective delivery of care in Optometry Section while meeting and exceeding compliance standards. Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Provides comprehensive assessment, diagnostic work-up and clinic intervention, including comprehensive patient assessment, health history, physical examination and patient education to Veterans; Integrating eye care service with other professionals Ordering and evaluating diagnostic tests as appropriate, recommending treatment and/or referral; Works closely with both Optometry and Ophthalmology to provide eye care to Veterans; Interpreting diseases and conditions of the eye and adnexa and ocular manifestations of systemic disease; Conducting routine eye exams, prescribing glasses and also managing various ocular conditions prevalent in a hospital based eye clinic including diabetes, macular degeneration and glaucoma; Ordering, verifying, dispensing and adjustment of optical aids for visually impaired patients Diagnosis of visual and ocular problems through external and internal physical evaluation of the eye and adnexa. Treats visual disorders through the prescription of corrective lenses and vision training and pharmacological means. Coordinates medical eye care with other physicians within the facility, when eye disease is concurrent with systemic disease. Educate patients based on findings, to understand and cope with their eye problems. Record patient provider transactions in the problem oriented medical record forms and complete required data collection instruments, referrals and medical records as required. Provides thorough refractive and ocular health assessment for patients. Provides urgent eye care services as needed. Adheres to hospital clinical privileges, Optometric accrediting agencies, medical staff bylaws, rules, policies and regulations. Coordinates medical eye care with other physicians when eye disease is concurrent with systemic disease. Responsible for diagnosis, management and treatment of visual and ocular problems through external and internal evaluation of the eye and ocular adnexa using advanced Optometric technology and utilization of medical imaging/information; laboratory results, radiology services, etc. Utilizes appropriate referral for ophthalmological care when patients ocular needs surpass the incumbents scope of practice as defined by clinical privileges, VA regulations and/or licensure restrictions. Attentive to providing quality patient education and involving patient/family in decision making processes. Prescribes eyeglasses per the local facility VA directive for prosthetics. Primary eye and vision care services, such as: Prescribing glasses; Ordering diagnostic imaging and laboratory studies; Preparing referrals for diagnosis, treatment, and management of systemic and ocular conditions revealed through optometric examination; and Patient and family health education. Primary optometric eye and vision care, such as: Emergency care (evaluating/managing/triaging emergent, non-surgical eye conditions); Problem-oriented care (managing patients referred with complaints typical of routine disorders); and Preventive health services (performing mandated examinations such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma screenings). Performs comprehensive compensation and pension eye exams. Clinical procedures, such as: Medical and ocular history; Visual acuity measurement; Pupillary function testing; Color vision testing; Extra-ocular muscle function and binocularity testing; Refractive and accommodative testing; External examination of the eye and adnexal structures.??????? Bio-microscopic evaluation of the ocular adnexa, anterior, and/or posterior segments of the eye, including gonioscopic and fundus lens evaluation; Ophthalmoscopic, tonometric, and perimetric evaluations; and Other duties as assigned. The Optometrist will manage the local CBOC Tele-Retinal Imager, and triage abnormal patients seen in the tele-retinal program with same day appointments. Other tele-retinal exams will be performed in a store and retrieve mode establishing a consultation referral system to the Medical Center. Work Schedule: 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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 Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Optometrist Basic Requirements Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) 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. 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. 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: 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 the requirements in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) below: Four years of optometric practice or its equivalent. One year of approved residencytraining 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 NationalBoard 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 aschool or college of optometry. The professional ability and personal attributes which have merited significantrecognition 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 ormore of the following examples: Is a recognized expert in the diagnosis and treatment of unusual and complicatedvisual 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 (1) and (2) below: 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. 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. Chief Grade. Meets the requirements for Senior grade and must demonstrate a sustained very high level of professional performance with evidence of exceptional professional and/or administrative development by the following: Has assumed substantial professional and/or administrative responsibilities in which the individual is expected to fully advise and make professional clinical and educational recommendations as to courses of action on problems and considerations of national scope in all areas of optometry. Typically, the optometrist at this level has had responsibility for a major optometric program segment on a nationwide basis and has been consistently called upon to represent the organization in an authoritative manner in matters dealing with development of new and/or revised concepts and programs having a major impact upon the academic, medical, and optometric communities. Outstanding professional attainment. Examples of such attainment are: Achievement of outstanding results in research which are regarded as having a major impact on advancing the field. Significant number of noteworthy publications in professional journals. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. 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 1193.01, 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
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