Staff Optometrist

Summary

The Montana VA Health Care System is recruiting one (1) Optometrist to serve the Ft Harrison VA Medical Center.

Duties

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Scope of Duties:

The optometrist shall demonstrate proficiency in all aspects of optometric care, including the capacity to perform specialty services. Specifically, the provider should possess the necessary expertise and competence to perform the following:

- Independently practice optometry to the fullest extent of their clinical privileges. Clinical privileges will be determined when requested by the staff optometrist and approved by the Executive Committee of the Medical Staff (ECMS).

- Responsible for all patient orders including; laboratory, imaging, pharmacy, prosthetics, referrals and consultations for specialty care to be completed through facilities EMR.

- Provide outpatient and inpatient care for patients.

- Perform routine and complex eye exams.

- Prescribe medications within the defined scope of optometry practice.

- Provide education and counseling to patients and families in preventive care, medical conditions, and the use of prescribed treatments and drugs.

- Assist in meeting Performance Measures and Eye Quality Indicators for clinical eye care.

- Complete all mandatory training requirements in a timely manner, attend mandatory medical center committee meetings, and comply with computer and privacy directives.

- Responsible to complete the electronic medical record generated with direct patient care. Every attempt should be made to complete the electronic record on the day of the patient encounter.

- Responsible to complete all administrative duties delegated to him by the ACOS of Surgical Services.

- Other duties as assigned.

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

Contract Buy Out Program: This position may be eligible for the Physician / Provider Contract Buy Out Program (CBOP), which authorizes VHA to buy out service contracts (Locum agreements, loan repayments, sign-on bonus contracts, Physician-owned practices) in exchange for employment at certain rural or highly rural facilities for a period of obligated service (minimum 4 years). For additional information and eligibility requirements, contact the VHA Contract Buy Out Program Manager at [redacted].

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Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 8:00am- 4:30pm

Requirements

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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/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.

Qualifications

Optometrist Basic Requirements

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 and 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 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.

Preferred Experience:

- At least 1 year of experience working in an Eye Clinic

-Experience using ophthalmology diagnostic and imaging equipment

-Experience fitting, dispensing, and adjusting eyeglasses

-Certified Ophthalmic Assistant certification by the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology

Staff Optometrist:

None 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.

Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting of 45 pounds and more; moderate carrying of15-44 pounds; reaching above shoulders, use of fingers, both hands required, walking and standing for minimum of 8 hours with repeated bending, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, specific requirement (20/20 each eye far vision), both eyes required, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid may be permitted), pass whisper test, pass amsler grid each eye, complete Ocular Hx, Don/Doff PPE.

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

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

This 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.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

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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.

Benefits

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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.