VA NWIHCS is an integrated system that serves more than 148,000 Veterans in 101 counties in Nebraska, western Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri. It includes a tertiary medical center in Omaha, 2 larger clinics in Lincoln and Grand Island (which includes a Community Living Center), 5 community-based outpatient clinics, and one contract clinic.

Duties

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. The mission of the Optometrist is to serve the needs of America's veterans by providing the highest quality. The Optometrist duties are below, and additional duties may be added. Preferred Experience: Experience reviewing CITC data and processing consults at the Nebraska-Western Iowa VAHCS. Duties include but are not limited to the following: The Eye Service/CITC Care Coordinator is responsible for reviewing and processing all eye consults, internal and CITC consults. The incumbent is responsible for care coordination of NWI patients utilizing CITC. They are the liaison between Eye department, referring providers, CITC department, private eye providers, and patient. The coordinator must actively participate in reviewing trends of consults and patient care to optimize VA care and ensure CITC is used when appropriate. The Optometrist is also responsible for seeing patients in the outpatient setting a few dedicated times throughout the fiscal year at NWI. Responsibilities include performing eye care and ancillary testing with full exercise of their credentials and clinical privileges. The Optometrist also assists with teaching medical students who rotate through the VA Health Care System. The incumbent is responsible for entering accurate, complete, timely progress notes for each episode of care into the patient's electronic record. This is accomplished by utilizing the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS). The incumbent is responsible for the proper use, maintenance, and calibration of specialized equipment used in the assessment and care of patients. The incumbent assists in orientation of new staff and will provide patient and family education, including informed consent. The incumbent adheres to safety, health, and infection control standards, regulations and work practices, as well as ergonomic standards. He/she reports any unsafe conditions to supervisor and/or appropriate officials. The incumbent maintains supplies, equipment and clinical areas to optimize safety and efficiency. Work Schedule: The tour is typically Monday-Friday. Compressed tours may be an option. Additional information may be provided during the interview process for the specific days. Telework: This is a telework position. Remote: This position is approved for remote.

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. 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 OR (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. 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. 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 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. 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: The stature that would warrant appointment at the clinical instructor or higher level at a school or college of optometry. 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. Has achieved a high level of professional attainment as illustrated by one or more of the following examples: 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. 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. Senior Grade. Meets the requirements for Intermediate grade and the requirements in paragraphs 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. The full performance level of this vacancy is Chief. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of Associate to Chief. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G5, Qualification Standard. Physical Requirements: Walking, bending, stooping, and some lifting in the direct care of patients. There may also be extended periods of sitting.

Education

1. Schools of medicine accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) for the year in which the degree was granted, or
2. Schools of osteopathic medicine approved by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation of the American Osteopathic Association for the year in which the degree was granted.
3. For foreign medical graduates not covered in (1) or (2) above, facility officials must verify with the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) that the applicant has met requirements for certification, and must obtain a copy of the ECFMG certificate, if claimed by the applicant. [If the applicant does not claim an ECFMG certificate, facility officials must still confirm that the medical school meets (or met) ECFMG eligibility requirements for the year the candidate graduated.]

Contacts

• Address VA Nebraska-Western Iowa HCS - Omaha 4101 Woolworth Avenue Omaha, NE 68105 US
• Name: Yolanda Young
• Phone: 612-467-4964
• Email: [email protected]