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

The incumbent provides both outpatient and inpatient eye care and low vision services to support both the Optometry Clinic and the VISOR Clinic. The staff Low Vision Optometrist reports directly to the Chief of Optometry Service. Incumbent will be responsible to provide patient care in Optometry outpatient clinic, VISOR Clinic, and an inpatient service while meeting the Surgery Care Line requirements. The duties include but are not limited to the following: Independently examine, diagnose, treat, and manage ocular conditions, diseases, and injuries as specified by the State Board of Optometric Practice Ordering appropriate laboratory and/or imaging studies Prescribing ocular prosthetic devices (spectacles, medically necessary contact lenses, prisms, artificial eyes and low vision aids) Provide low vision care to legally blind/visually impaired patients as appropriate as part of the Visual Impairment Services Outpatient Rehabilitation (VISOR team) Collaborate with blind rehabilitation specialists (BRS) and visual impairment services team (VIST) coordinators on treatment plans for patients Provide consultative reports to requesting primary care physicians, staff and specialists Refer patients requiring care outside scope of optometry practice Supervise, educate, and train interns, residents, and ophthalmic trainees Certify as a reader in Tele-Eye Imaging Program Certify as a Compensation and Pension (C&P) provider Provide administrative support to service Functions and responsibilities include but are not limited to: eye care treatment planning, low vision treatment planning, optometry clinic patient assessment, low vision clinic patient assessment, optometry clinic patient follow-up, low vision clinic patient follow-up, optometry peer review, optometry grand rounds, and optometry strategic planning. Teaching is an integral part of the work of a Lebanon VAMC staff optometrist. This pertains to colleagues, residents, optometry and medical students, nursing and other ancillary staff. The staff optometrist exercises corporate citizenship by serving as leader and/or active member on Medical Center committees as requested. Timely documentation (notes and encounter forms) is necessary in all areas in accordance with facility policy. All administrative work will be completed in a timely fashion. All VA requirements must be met on a timely basis including computer security training, customer service training and cultural/diversity training. Demonstrates courtesy and professionalism and a positive attitude toward Veterans, co-workers and the public. Identifies Veteran concerns and applies discernment and sensitivity when performing tasks required to resolve issues accurately and timely. She/he facilitates any necessary follow-up so as to ensure satisfactory resolution of problems. Utilize computerized programs in order to enter, modify, and retrieve sensitive information in the form of electronic medical records. Patient confidentiality with be maintained at all times per HIPPA requirements. The staff optometrist works in a proficient and self-directed manner in order to accomplish all clinical and administrative duties. - He/she will perform other duties as assigned by management. VA offers a comprehensive Total Reward$ | VA Careers. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Compressed schedule may be available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. EDRP Authorized: Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: a. 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. b. 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.(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. c. Licensure or Registration: 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. d. 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 REQUIREMENTS: 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: (1) 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. (2) 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:(a) The stature that would warrant appointment at the clinical instructor or higher level at a school or college of optometry.(b) 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. (3) Has achieved a high level of professional attainment as illustrated by one or more of the following examples:(a) 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. (b) 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. (c) 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. (d) 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: (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 segmenton 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 program shaving 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. The full performance level of this vacancy is Chief. References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-5 Optometrist Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Lebanon VA Medical Center 1700 South Lincoln Avenue Lebanon, PA 17042 US
• Name: Tamara Sneed
• Phone: 404-626-7179
• Email: [email protected]