The position is located at the Fredericksburg Health Care Center (FxHCC). The Staff Optometrist operates in an ambulatory care setting within the facility. The Staff Optometrist is credentialed and privileged through the Medical Staff Office Supervisor under the auspices of the Chief of Staff in accordance with Medical Staff Bylaws. Optometry is organizationally part of the Surgery Section and input on staff effectiveness will be obtained by the Lead Ophthalmologist.

Duties

Major Duties include, but not limited to: Clinical Perform complete and thorough optometric exams and complete all clinical documentation requirements timely (as required). Exercises independent professional judgment in diagnosing the full range of complex ophthalmic conditions as well as planning and executing the necessary treatment programs to meet complex and frequent changes in treatment objectives. Promotes communication/interactions between Eye Clinic team members, patients, and their families to facilitate the medical treatment process. Refers, when indicated, patients with multiple health problems to other providers within the facility and the VISN. Consults with physicians and others, when requested, to augment the care of their patients as it relates to emergent and traumatic conditions as well as ophthalmic manifestations of systemic conditions. Utilizes the general clinical privileges which include: ordering diagnostic tests as appropriate, writing prescriptions for medications or other items on the hospital formulary, hospitalize patients within the VISN as appropriate and discharge patients from outpatient care if it is determined that care is no longer required. Administration Participates in clinical and administrative committee assignments at the direction of the Section Chief, Surgery/ Lead of Ophthalmology. In addition, the incumbent will attend at least 50% of regularly scheduled Staff meetings. Participates in any required Performance Improvement programs Follows accepted infection control and safety procedures as well as other station policy procedures Maintains accurate and timely patient medical record entries in Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS). Also complies with all VHA Privacy Policy (HIPPA) requirements. Research Participates in surveys within the Ophthalmology Department under the auspices of the Surgery Section to ascertain patient satisfaction of care provided. Participates, where appropriate, in research in basic visual science and clinical optometry to address questions pertaining to anomalies of the human visual system including epidemiological studies, clinical trials and the evaluation of alternative health care delivery systems to enhance patient care. Education Participates fully in educational development through staff and section meetings and assumes responsibility for professional development by attending relevant training and regularly reviewing the literature to improve clinical competencies and meeting professional continuing education requirements to maintaining current competence and licensure. Performs other duties as assigned. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00- 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

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 Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. 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 or Registration. Optometrist (Except Residents): 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. Grade Determinations: 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 all the requirements 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: 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: (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. Reference: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G5, Qualification Standard. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Walking, bending, stooping, and some lifting in the direct care of patients. There may also be extended periods of sitting.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Central Virginia VA Health Care System 1201 Broad Rock Boulevard Richmond, VA 23249 US
• Name: Nerissa Mckinnie
• Phone: 706-434-9315
• Email: [email protected]