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

Fayetteville is nestled in the heart of the Ozark Mountains, and is an outdoor paradise with hiking, golf, fishing, rafting, boating, and four distinct seasons. Fayetteville is the home of the University of Arkansas "Razorbacks" which provides the community with a college atmosphere. The area is home to several fortune 500 businesses such as Wal-Mart, Tyson Foods, and J. B. Hunt Trucking, who have been generous benefactors for the community and the arts. In the neighboring community of Bentonville, Crystal Bridges Museum has been labeled as one the top 10 must see places in America. Fayetteville has outstanding public schools, excellent parks and trail system and is ranked as 4th "best college sports town" and 8th for business and careers by Forbes Magazine. Fayetteville is ranked as 7th best city in America to work, live and play by Kiplinger. The cost of living is 90% of the national average with affordable housing available in all price ranges. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. 2023 VHA Total Reward$ of a PA, Optometrist, Chiropractor, EFDA VA Career Brochure.pdf Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): To a highly qualified candidate Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more. EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance 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 CME: Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement (must be full-time with board certification) Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting. This position is located in the Surgical Care Service Line at the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks and reports directly to the Chief of Surgical Care. The incumbent should have strong interpersonal skills to establish professional working relationships with other clinicians and staff throughout the facility. The Chief of Optometry will be responsible for: Supervision of Optometrist, Ophthalmologist, Health Technicians, and other staff as required. Responsible for Optometry service evaluation of proficiency and competency reviews using techniques of direct observation and chart reviews. Participation in peer review and quality improvement activities is required to ensure quality of patient care consistent with VA regulations and Joint Commission standards. Member of several standing committees including, but not limited to the Medical Records Committee, Operating Room Committee, Facility Surgical Workgroup and Surgical Service Morbidity and Mortality Committee. Provide comprehensive eye care services as well as follow-up care of existing conditions and management of emergency conditions. Examination of the human eye to diagnose and treat abnormal conditions of the human eye or adnexa. Prescribing of lenses, devices containing lenses, prisms, contact lenses, orthotics, vision training, pharmaceutical agents, and prosthetic devices to correct, relieve or treat defects or abnormal conditions or the human eye or its adnexa. Education of patients, residents, students, and medical staff regarding ocular anomalies, ocular disease, and sight conservation. Participate in the clinical supervision of optometry residents and student externs if available. Functions as a coordinator between the other attending physicians/ team members. Establish and maintain relations with other key services to include Surgery and Medicine Services, Primary Care, Prosthetics, Nursing, Social Work, and Radiology. Responsible for coordination between the Asst. Chief of Staff and rotating Residents and relevant staff. Develop and provide medical education/counseling of patients and their families with a focus on delivery of evidence based, outcomes focused, veteran centric care. Promote contemporary patient care programs for eye clinic and surgery patients and periodically review and update them based upon current and/or new, broadly accepted concepts. Ensure consult triage and clinic access meets standards established by the Group Practice Manager, National Surgery Office, and VHA. Accountable for performance, behavior and training of all members in the Section, including on-time completion of annual performance evaluations Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm

Requirements

Qualifications

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until 09/13/2024. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 08/9/2024, with subsequent cut-off dates. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals until position is filled. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. (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: Current, full and unrestricted license to practice optometry in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. 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 two 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 two 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. Innovated 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 processes 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 the 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 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. (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. Preferred Experience: 1-3 years of experience as a practicing Optometrist Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G5 Optometrist Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements:Light carrying (under 15 pounds); use of fingers; both hands required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid may be permitted); hear conversational voice

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 Fayetteville AR VA Medical Center 1100 North College Avenue Fayetteville, AR 72703 US
• Name: Alisha Crane
• Email: [email protected]