Optometrist

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.

This is an Open, Continuous Announcement and may be extended beyond the current closing date of November 30, 2026, until the position is filled. Eligible applicants will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis during the duration of the announcement. Once a selection is made and the offer is accepted, the announcement may close pending no additional vacancies.

This position is located in Fort Smith, AR which is a part of the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks. Fort Smith is a city where Old West grit meets a modern creative spirit. Murals from The Unexpected murals project brighten historic buildings, and the Fort Smith Regional Art Museum brings in rotating exhibits alongside local art. Garrison Avenue is alive with restaurants, pubs and breweries like Neumeier's Rib Room & Beer Garden and Prima Italia. The riverfront draws crowds for the Peacemaker Festival's national music acts and the Old Fort Days Rodeo, a tradition locals love that dates back nearly a century.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards.

Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more.
EDRP Authorized: Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) Authorized: This position is eligible for 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 your start date. 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. Former EDRP Participants are ineligible to apply for the program. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov 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

The staff optometrist duties will be performed in the Eye Clinic at Ft. Smith, Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System of the Ozarks. The Optometrist will be responsible to ensure all documentations are complete according to the VA guidelines. All progress notes should be entered in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS). All patient related orders should be entered in the CPRS as per VA guidelines. The following is a list of some of the procedures and services the Optometrist will be required to perform:

• 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.
• Referral to and consultation with other health care providers.
• 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.

Serves as Optometrist under the immediate supervision of the Chief of Optometry within the Surgical Care Service Line.

Work Schedule: To be discussed during the interview process

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.

Preferred Experience:
*1-3 years of experience as a practicing Optometrist
*Accreditation Council on Optometric Education Residency or VA experience

Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G5 Optometrist Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

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.

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-placement evaluation.
• 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.

Preferred Experience:

• Completion of Residency Program

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.