This position is located at Zuni Service Unit, Albuquerque Area Indian Health Service. You will serve as Chief of Optometry for the Zuni Service Unit and Zuni Hospital Department of Optometry, providing oversight of all Service Unit eye care programs and supervising optometry staff. You will report to the Service Unit Clinical Director.

Duties

Evaluates, develops, coordinates, and manages a comprehensive, high-quality eye care program for the Zuni Service Unit and its facilities. Monitors all patient eye care services for quality, timeliness and appropriateness, including direct clinical care, referred care ocular medications formulary, optical dispensary services for glasses and contact lenses, and other eye care services. Supervises optometry staff, conducts performance reviews, monitors required training, and coordinates staff schedules. Diagnoses, treats and manages eye conditions and diseases and refers patients to other eye care services as needed. Provides consultation for other physicians and providers, coordinating eye care services, diagnosis and management of trauma and acute pathologies.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Must pass pre-employment examination.
• If you are a male, born after December 31, 1959, and you want to be employed by the federal government, you must (subject to certain exemptions) be registered with the Selective Service System.
• Commissioned Corps Officers: The USPHS Commissioned Corps Officers who wish to apply for this vacancy announcement must submit a resume and all other required documents specified in the announcement.
• A one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period may be required upon selection/placement.
• ESEP appointees typically serve a two-year trial period.
• Subject to call back and/or stand by.
• Subject to Alternate Work Schedule (optional).
• Measles and Rubella immunization required for selectees born after 1957 and seasonal influenza immunization is required for all staff working in Indian Health Service health care facilities.
• COVID-19 vaccination is required for all selectees prior to entrance on duty.
• You must obtain and maintain medical staff clinical privileges, including any licensure requirements. If not obtained or maintained during employment, you may be subject to adverse actions, up to and including removal from the Federal service.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.
• A background security investigation will be required for all new hires. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication.
• You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.
• IHS - Operated Properties are tobacco free.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying. 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; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THE OPTOMETRIST, 0662 SERIES Education You must have a Doctor of Optometry degree from an educational program that is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) at the time the degree was obtained. AND Licensure You must have received a passing score on the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) examinations and possess a current, full, and unrestricted license to practice optometry in a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE GS-13 (or equivalent) GRADE LEVEL You must have at least two years of professional Optometrist experience (one year completion of a residency program in an institution accredited for such training orone year professional optometrist experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the grade GS-11; AND one year professional optometrist experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the grade GS-12). The professional experience as an optometrist that is equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-12 or equivalent) should include: 1) Overseeing or directing the work of subordinates involved in optometric care services to ensure sufficient and timely provision of services to patients. 2) Diagnosing and treating a range of eye diseases to include managing related systemic conditions such as diabetes, glaucoma, trauma, macular degeneration, etc. 3) Managing eye condition screening programs and services to promote and improve eye care, health and safety. 4) Consulting with other physicians and health care providers to manage eye care and disease which may include referral to outside resources for specialty care. 5) Overseeing and evaluating eye care services and optometric programs to ensure quality of care. Time In Grade Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP). You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Education

This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer.

Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www.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 http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

The Indian Health Service (IHS), National Health Service Corps (NHSC), and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) have student loan repayment programs for qualifying health disciplines. This is a competitive process separate from the hiring process. Opportunities for LRP are based on agency hiring priorities and availability of funds. For additional information please visit:
For IHS - http://www.ihs.gov/loanrepayment/
For NHSC - https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment/
For HRSA Nurse Corps - https://bhw.hrsa.gov/loansscholarships/nursecorps

Contacts

• Address Albuquerque Area Indian Health Service 4101 Indian School Rd NE, Suite 225 Albuquerque, NM 87110 US
• Name: San Antonio Services Branch
• Phone: 816-541-8101
• Email: [email protected]