Optometrist

Optometrist

Summary

John J. Pershing VA Medical Center (JJPVAMC), Poplar Bluff, MO is seeking a qualified Optometrist for our Specialty team. The Optometrist functions interdependently with other providers and is responsible for providing quality care, consultation, education, and collaboration with other healthcare professionals. The Optometrist will provide Optometry care in the outpatient eye clinic for adult and geriatric veterans who have a wide spectrum of optometric conditions.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must meet the

Basic Requirements:

as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement
Applicants pending the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met
Currently employed physician(s) in VA who met the requirements for appointment under the previous qualification standard at the time of their initial appointment are deemed to have met the basic requirements of the occupation
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
Degree of Doctor of Optometry resulting from a course of education in Optometry
The degree must have been obtained from one of the schools of colleges approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed
Current, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia
Optometrist 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)
Physical requirements outlined below
Preferred Experience: Minimum of 2-3 years experience practicing in either a VA setting or in a private Optometric clinic setting
Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-2 Physician Qualification Standard
This can be found in the local Human Resources Office
Physical Requirements: This position requires a pre-employment physical
Requires lifting 15-44 pounds; pushing (approx
2 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers and both hands; walking and standing from 3-5 hours and kneeling
Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
Near vision correctable at 13' to 16' to Jaeger 1 to 4
Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other
Must have depth perception and ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors
Hearing aid is permitted
Intermediate Grade (GS-13)
Meets the requirements below: 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
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: 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
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
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
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.

Duties

'The John J.
Pershing VA Medical Center is in the active and thriving community of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, the 'Gateway to the Ozarks.' Poplar Bluff has a population of 17,000, and cost of living in the area is among the lowest in the country.
We are within a two-hour drive of several large cities and have a small airport.
The area is quite scenic and outdoor recreational opportunities abound in nearby national and state parks and forests.VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.
VHA Physician Total Rewards.
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) 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 Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting Duties will include, but are not limited to: - Document and maintain records pertaining to patients.
- Examine, diagnose, and perform specific optometric treatments for conditions of the vision system.
- Exercise independent professional judgment in diagnosing the full range of complex optometric conditions as well as planning and executing the necessary treatment programs to meet complex and frequent changes in the treatment objective.
- Utilize various examination techniques of vision, eye and related structures to determine the presence of vision anomalies, diseases, and/or other abnormalities; treating eye conditions by prescribing and adapting spectacle lenses, optical aids., etc.; referring patients to other health professionals for further diagnosis and treatments.
- Provide emotional support and comfort to patients and their families during treatment interventions.
- Manage patient workload within available staffing, which may include support of health technicians.
- Coordinate care with VA's tertiary care facilities and VA sharing partners.
- Perform the usual administrative components of patient care management, such as: documentation of progress notes and consultation findings in an electronic medical record, electronic entry, and signature of all orders for inpatients and outpatients, etc.
- Performs other directly related duties as required.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30 pm Compressed/Flexible: Not offered Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required'