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.

Duties

A offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more. EDRP Authorized: Contact, Jennifer Isbell-Gross, [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: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30pm Responsibilities and duties for the position include but are not limited to the following: The Optometrist is a Section Chief in Surgical Service under the Chief of Surgery Supervision of Optometrist, Ophthalmologist, Health Technicians, and other staff as required. Responsible for Optometry service evaluation of proficiency and competency reviews using techniques of direct observation and chart reviews. Participation in peer review and quality improvement activities is required to ensure quality of patient care consistent with VA regulations and Joint Commission standards Member of several standing committees including, but not limited to the Medical Records Committee, Operating Room Committee, Facility Surgical Workgroup and Surgical Service Morbidity and Mortality Committee. Performs other administrative duties as assigned by the Chief of Surgery. Provide comprehensive eye care services as well as follow-up care of existing conditions and management of emergency conditions. Examination of the human eye to diagnose and treat abnormal conditions of the human eye or adnexa. Prescribing of lenses, devices containing lenses, prisms, contact lenses, orthotics, vision training, pharmaceutical agents, and prosthetic devices to correct, relieve or treat defects or abnormal conditions or the human eye or its adnexa. Referral to and consultation with other health care providers. Education of patients, residents, students, and medical staff regarding ocular anomalies, ocular disease, and sight conservation. Participate in the clinical supervision of optometry residents and student externs if available. Functions as a coordinator between the other attending physicians/ team members Establish and maintain relations with other key services to include: Surgery and Medicine Services, Primary Care, Prosthetics, Nursing, Social Work, and Radiology. Responsible for coordination between the Asst. Chief of Staff and rotating Residents and relevant staff. Develop and provide medical education/counseling of patients and their families with a focus on delivery of evidence based, outcomes focused, veteran centric care. Promote contemporary patient care programs for eye clinic and surgery patients and periodically review and update them based upon current and/or new, broadly accepted concepts. Ensure consult triage and clinic access meets standards established by the Group Practice Manager, National Surgery Office, and VHA. Accountable for performance, behavior and training of all members in the Section, including on-time completion of annual performance evaluations.

Requirements

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. Degree of Doctor of Optometry or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in Optometry. The degree must have been obtained from one of the schools approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed. Current, full and unrestricted license to practice in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Residency Training: Approved residencies are: (1) Other residencies (non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of five years of verified practice in the United States), which the local Medical Staff Executive Committee deems to have provided the applicant with appropriate professional training and has exposed the physician to an appropriate range of patient care experiences. Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency training programs and who would otherwise meet the basic requirements for appointment are eligible to be appointed. Preferred Experience: Residency training preferred. VA experience preferred; but not required. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-2 Physician Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: A Directive and Handbook 5019, applicants must be able to perform the duties as a Optometrist. Light carrying (under 15lbs), use of fingers, both hands required, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid may be permitted), hear conversational voice. Senior Grade. Meets the requirements for Intermediate grade and the requirements in paragraphs (1) and (2) 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: (a) 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. (b) Has had responsibility for carrying out a major optometric program segment on a national level.(c) 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: (1) 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. (2) Outstanding professional attainment. Examples of such attainment are: (a) Achievement of outstanding results in research which are regarded as having a major impact on advancing the field. (b) Significant number of noteworthy publications in professional journals has context menu.

Education

NOTE: The Under Secretary of Health or designee in the VHA Central Office may approve the appointment under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 of a physician graduate of a school of medicine not covered above if the candidate is to be assigned to a research, academic, or administrative position with no patient care responsibilities. The appointment will be made only in exceptional circumstances where the candidate's credentials clearly demonstrate high professional attainment or expertise in the specialty area.

Contacts

• Address Fayetteville AR VA Medical Center 1100 North College Avenue Fayetteville, AR 72703 US
• Name: Darrel Burke
• Email: [email protected]