Optometrist (Clinical)

• Optometrists must be able to perform detailed diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitative procedures for a wide range of ocular and visual anomalies.
• Optometrists treat and manage conditions that affect the anterior and posterior segments, as well as manage ocular manifestations of systemic disease.
• The optometrist is a member of the health care team and provides services and communication with other services and professions within the VA healthcare system following facility bylaws and according to privileges granted.
• An optometrist functions independently in a number of settings including hospitals, Ambulatory Care Centers, clinics, rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities, educational institutions and home environments.
• The work environment may be in an office, clinical setting, classroom, private home, VA grounds, nursing home, community sites, and hospitals.
• Optometrists will serve as preceptors to trainees who participate in affiliated training programs.
• Optometrists will be active in participating in quality improvement, regulatory and administrative activities that enhance patient care and customer service.
• Optometrists may serve on committees as approved by their supervisor and may be assigned a routine and permanent administrative duty as deemed necessary by the Service Chief.

Optometrist Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.)
• 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 (VA) for the year in which the course of study was completed. Approved schools are United States and Canadian schools or colleges of optometry listed as accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE), in the list published for the year in which the course of study was completed.
• Residency Training or Comparable Experience. Optometrists must have successfully completed residency training, approved by the Secretary of VA in an accredited post-graduate training program, or have comparable experience, as described below:
  • (1) Approved residencies are those with accredited or within pre-accredited status by the ACOE, in the list published for the year the residency was completed. OR
  • (2) Two years of licensed clinical optometric practice in the United States consisting of active involvement in the management of medically complex patients.
  • NOTE: The Approving Official may approve, under unusual circumstances, a waiver of residency or comparable experience
• Licensure or Registration: Optometrists must possess a current, full and unrestricted license to practice optometry, and maintain a current 2 registration in a state, territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia that requires successful passage of all parts of National Board of Examiners in Optometry intended for basic licensure. The Optometrist must maintain current registration in the state of licensure if this is a requirement for continuing active, current licensure.

This vacancy is for a Staff Optometrist. There are no requirements beyond the basic requirements. The individual must possess the experience to perform general optometry duties, including clinical oversight of trainees as needed, and some specialized functions and procedures without supervision.

• All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• Current, valid state-issued Driver's License is required for this position.