The Assistant Chief, Optometry Service shares programmatic responsibility with the Service Chief to ensure that the Service meets the Hefner VAHCS's goals and objectives, in particular those benchmarks and performance measures assigned to Optometry Service. The Optometry Service is based at the W.G. Hefner VA Healthcare System in Salisbury, North Carolina and serves affiliated VA clinics (e.g., Charlotte HCC, Charlotte CBOC, Kernersville HCC, and Salisbury).

Duties

Clinical: - Provides quality patient care to outpatients and inpatients as assigned. - Keeps informed of developments in the management and treatment of diseases and illness through continuing medical education, both formal and informal. - Successfully integrates patient care activities in Optometry Service and other patient care programs of the medical center and in the community. - Consistently demonstrates expertise in diagnosing and treating seriously ill, multi-symptomatic patients. - Revises work schedules and assignments on short notice to meet frequent, abrupt, and unpredictable changes in prescribed workloads and deadlines to meet performance targets. - Participates in multidisciplinary activities involving treatment plan and discharge of patients. - Participates as a peer reviewer when requested - Provides other clinical services as assigned consistent with clinical privileges Administrative: Participates and attends VAHCS committees as assigned by the Chief, Optometry Service or Chief of Staff Participates in the development and implementation of all aspects of the comprehensive eye care programs in Optometry Service (e.g., eye clinics, low vision/blind rehabilitation, tele-eye, optometric education, and approved research) and provides oversight as delegated by the Service Chief. May select new staff based on a performance-based selection process as delegated by the Service Chief. Participates in various facility programs designed to enhance and improve the delivery of patient care services such as Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) teams. Provides review and oversight as pertains to Optometry Service, as delegated by the Service Chief. May conduct employee performance evaluations and proficiencies as well as represent the Service and/or Service Chief at all levels in meetings between an employee and management (e.g., ER/LR and AFGE matters), as delegated by the Service Chief. The incumbent may have access to the Veteran Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA) Scheduling Package or supervise an individual who has access, and is responsible to: Follow all local and VHA policies and procedures (e.g., VHA Directive 2006-055) dealing with access and utilization of the Scheduling Package and Advanced Clinic Access. Complete all mandatory training and assessments. Assure that the VistA Scheduling Package is used to schedule all outpatient clinic appointments (including appointments made for clinic visits or consultations for medical, surgical, dental, psychiatric, home care, and diagnostic procedures). Assure that informal patient appointment scheduling systems are not used. Assure that only the approved VistA Electronic Wait List program is used for clinics having backlogs. No other wait lists or informal system is used for clinical services. Maintains an in-depth knowledge and understanding of all programmatic aspects related to managing Optometry Service including as needed to guide continued growth and future expansion. Academic: Provides guidance and supervision for the optometry residents and optometry externs assigned to Optometry Service as outlined in VHA Handbook 1400.1, "Resident Supervision" and other applicable Optometry Service-Level Policy. Participates in the formal education of the residents, optometry externs, and other trainees by presenting teaching rounds, lectures, conferences, etc. Assists in the development and implementation of education and training programs for optometry externs and residents rotating through Optometry Service as assigned by Chief, Optometry Service. Research: Supports the medical center-wide research mission. Assists in conducting studies regarding treatment modalities, outcomes, and other aspects of patient care when appropriate. If involved in an ongoing research project, abides by all VA regulations governing research protocols/policies and/or procedures. Encourages participation in clinical research among other staff members. Supervisory Controls: The individual is administratively and clinically responsible to the Chief, Optometry Service who in turn reports directly to the Chief of Staff.

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 optometrist 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 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. 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. Proficiency in spoken and written English. Drug Testing Position: In accordance with criteria contained in Executive Order 12564, this position has been determined as "sensitive" for drug testing purposes. VA employees in positions involving law enforcement, national security, the protection of life and property, public health or safety, or other functions requiring a high degree of trust and confidence, will be designated as subject to drug testing. Preferred Experience: VA Supervisory experience preferred Reference: See VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G5: OPTOMETRIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: The Physical Requirements of this position are concerned with the mental and physical ability of the applicant to satisfactorily perform the duties of the proposed assignment and may include requisite laboratory and other screening as required by Federal regulatory agencies. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Education

Contacts

• Address WG Bill Hefner Salisbury VA Medical Center 1601 Brenner Avenue Salisbury, NC 28144 US
• Name: Tamashia Dixon
• Phone: (980) 401-2551
• Email: [email protected]