Optometrist

This position is located in the Eye Clinic under Chief, Ophthalmology, Surgical Service Line at the Fayetteville VA Health Care Center. The candidate will participate in clinics and utilize skills and knowledge independently in areas of patient care, education, and physician collaboration, as needed.
VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.Qualifications: Basic Requirements

• Citizenship: Must be a citizen of the United States (non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy).
• Education: Must possess a degree of Doctor of Optometry resulting from a course of education in optometry 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, including:
  • United States and Canadian schools or colleges of optometry listed as accredited by the Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association for the year in which the course of study was completed -OR-
  • 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 unrestricted licensure.
• Licensure and Registration: Must possess an active, full, and unrestricted license to practice optometry in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia; and maintain a current registration in the State of licensure, if a requirement of the particular State.
• Physical Standards: Must prove to be physically, cognitively, and emotionally fit to perform the duties of the position to which assigned, without risk of injury to self or others, by passing a pre-employment physical examination, as required by VA Handbook 5019.
• Language Proficiency: 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 listed above, the following qualification criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.

• Associate Grade:
  • None beyond the basic requirements.

• Full Grade:
  • Two years of experience in optometric practice or its equivalent.
    • NOTE: 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 experience in optometric practice or equivalent, -AND-
  • Successfully passed the examinations of National Board of Examiners in Optometry, -AND-
  • Attained the stature that would warrant appointment at the clinical instructor or higher level at a school or college of optometry. -OR- 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, -AND
  • 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 other health facilities or provides expert clinical services in such areas as the partially sighted or contact lenses for aphasics.
    • Has assumed responsibility for 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 instruments 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.
    • Has played a significant part in the conduct of vision research in a problem area if 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 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.
    • 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.

• Senior Grade:
  • Meets the requirements for Intermediate Grade, -AND-
  • Possesses such academic stature as would warrant a faculty appointment of a professional level in an approved school or college of optometry, -AND-
  • Has demonstrated recognized superior professional attainment as evidenced by one or more of the following examples:
    • Has served as a team leader in attaching major optometric problems affecting the continued provision of quality care health services at 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:
    • 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 such as achievement of outstanding results in research which are regarded as having a major impact on advancing the field or a significant number of noteworthy publications in professional journals.

NOTE: 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.
Preferred Experience: Optometry Practice
References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-5, Optometrist Qualification Standard.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/.Employment Type: FULL_TIME