SummaryThis Open Continuous Announcement may eligible for
the Education Debt Reduction Program, a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy & submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount up to $200,000 & eligibility period 1-5 years are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.
DutiesHelp
The Clinical Optometrist serves Veterans by providing high-quality eye care through in-person examinations at the Syracuse VA Eye Clinic and through virtual care in the Technology-based Eye Care Services (TECS) program. This position is stationed at the Syracuse VA and reports directly to the Chief of Ophthalmology. The optometrist is a fully integrated member of the interdisciplinary telehealth care team and practices to the full scope of eye care based on education, training, licensure, and competency. The position emphasizes prevention and wellness as the guiding philosophy of practice and seeks a cost-effective provider who ensures adequate access and maintains a high standard of quality, as measured by patient satisfaction.
Duties for this position include but are not limited to:I. Clinical Responsibilities (90% of time)- Diagnose and treat patients with medical and surgical eye diseases through in-person clinic at the Syracuse VA Eye Clinic.
- Provide screening and follow-up eye care virtually through the TECS program as needed, delivering the same quality of care as an in-person exam.
- Actively participate in patient care, regardless of how care is delivered.
- Diagnose and treat patients with medical diseases through ambulatory and bed-based resources assigned to Ophthalmology and Optometry.
- Participate in hospital rounds, morning reports, conferences, consultations, ambulatory care, assigned call duty, and similar activities as needed.
- Read TECS photographic sets in a timely fashion.
- Follow TECS protocols and procedures.
- Participate in national peer review.
- Identify patients who require a higher level of care and refer them to Ophthalmology, with the aid of an ophthalmologist.
- Coordinate and contact patients to arrange follow-up care and ancillary tests throughout the medical center.
II. Academic, Teaching, and Training (5% of time)- Participate in the education of optometry students associated with the Syracuse VA Eye Clinic.
- Recruit optometry students for other Syracuse VAMC CBOC locations, as able and suited.
- Participate in recruiting qualified individuals to join the TECS program, as available and appropriate.
- Provide education about the TECS program to new sites
VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards.
Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Position(s) listed under this Open Continuous Announcement (OCA) may be eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program.Applicants selected for an EDRP-eligible position will be notified in their conditional job offer. The selectee must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program 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 review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply. Learn more.
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact [redacted], the EDRP Coordinator 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.
Work Schedule: Full-time - Hours will be discussed during interview.
RequirementsHelp
Conditions of employment- 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
- Must pass pre-employment physical 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.
QualificationsTo 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.
- 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. a7 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.
- Licensure/Registration: Optometrists must possess a current, full and unrestricted license to practice optometry, and maintain a current 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.
- Residency Training: . 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).
Grandfathering Provision:- (1) Such employees are considered to have met the basic qualification requirements for the purposes of transferring or reassignment to another Optometrist position within VA.
- (2) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
- (3) Employees retained in this occupation under this provision who subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.
- (4) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional certification that meet all the basic or assignment-specific qualification requirements of this standard must maintain the required credential as a condition of employment in the assignment. (NOTE: This provision is not intended to regularize appointments/ placements).
Preferred Experience:- Demonstrated knowledge of and/or skill in adult learning principles, with the ability to apply them in continuing education programs for staff and patients.
- Demonstrated knowledge of and/or skill in the psychosocial aspects of health care needed to deliver comprehensive patient care.
- Demonstrated knowledge of and/or skill in preventive medicine and primary care.
- Demonstrated knowledge of and/or skill in the roles of non-physician health care professionals.
- Demonstrated knowledge of and/or skill in health care evaluation.
- Experience with telemedicine, particularly diabetic teleretinal screening.
- An advanced degree, such as a Master of Business Administration, Master of Health Administration, or Master of Public Health, is preferred.
- Interest in and commitment to health care delivery systems and population health management.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
EducationDegree 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.
Additional informationThis job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
BenefitsHelp
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
