Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center (TVAMC) is seeking a Chief for Optometry Service who will be responsible for the overall leadership of the service and ensures the quality of medical services provided and the education and training of professional staff. The incumbent is an Optometrist. The incumbent serves as the primary point of accountability in the service and maximizes the efficient use of available resources.

Duties

Duties Include, but are not limited to the following: The Chief, Optometry Service is responsible and accountable to the Associate Chief of Staff, Specialty Care Service Line with second line supervision and accountability to the Chief of Staff. The supervisor makes assignments, outlining overall objectives and the resources available. The incumbent is responsible for planning and carrying out the assignment, directing or coordinating the work of others in the profession, resolving most conflicts that arise, developing changes in the plan and methodology, and interpreting policy on own initiative. Completed work is reviewed for soundness of overall approach, effectiveness in meeting requirements, and workability of recommendations. The incumbent receives broad and general supervision by the senior management team also called Quadrad. The Quadrad is involved in significant policy decisions and is apprised of all significant actions by the incumbent either directly or through ACOS-Specialty Care Service and the Chief of Staff (COS) office. Supervises the optometrists, health technicians, residents, clerical staff and other health care professionals as programs are developed, as indicated. Responsible for action in matters such as promotions, selections, on the job training, awards, EEO complaints, labor relations, disciplinary actions, training, and career development. Responsible for the development of mechanisms to assure staff competency and continuing education compliance. Establishes employee performance plans that align with Agency and Departmental goals and objectives and is responsible for evaluating and communicating employee performance. Incumbent may be an approving official or alternate approving official and complies with all the acquisition regulations, both Federal, VA and local to include SA, small business, Javis Wagner O'Day Act, and mandatory sources. Incumbent ensures that Reusable Medical Equipment systematic processes are fully implemented and executed within their service. VA offers a comprehensive total reward package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. 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 Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm. Subject to change based on Agency Needs.

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. 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). 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 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. 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. Preferred Experience: Completion of an Optometry Residency at a Veteran Affairs Medical Center is highly preferred. 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. Grade Determinations: Senior Grade. Meets the requirements for Intermediate grade and the requirements in paragraphs (1) and (2) 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: (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. Reference: 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: Light lifting under 15 pounds, walking and standing for 5 hours, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, both eyes required, ability to distinguish basic colors, and ability to distinguish shades of colors.

Education

Contacts

• Address Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center 3701 Loop Road East Tuscaloosa, AL 35404 US
• Name: ROBERTA ADAMS
• Phone: 224-817-1289
• Email: [email protected]