Optometrist
The Optometry Service provides care primarily in outpatient settings with limited inpatient care. Optometrists assigned to the Optometry Service provide comprehensive eye care for inpatients and outpatients. The Optometry Service is based at the W.G Hefner VA Healthcare System in Salisbury, North Carolina and serves affiliated VA clinics (e.g., Charlotte, Kernersville, or Salisbury).
The W.G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center is seeking an Optometrist at the VA Clinic in Kernersville, NC to meet the SBYVAHCS goals and objectives, in particular those benchmarks and performance measures assigned to Optometry Service. The Optometrist provides comprehensive eye and vision care to eligible veterans presenting in clinic during scheduled regular clinic hours. This includes but is not limited to a full exercise of credentials for correction of vision, treatment of eye diseases and disorders that are within the scope of the optometrist's clinical privileges and providing rehabilitative care if applicable. This position is unique in that up to 15% of job duties includes Basic Low Vision eyecare. Other duties include but are not limited to: Clinical: Provides quality patient care to outpatients and inpatients Keeps informed of developments in the management and treatment of diseases and illness through continuing medical education, both formal and informal Integrates patient care activities Demonstrates expertise in diagnosing and treating seriously ill, multi-symptomatic patients Participates in multidisciplinary activities involving treatment plan and discharge of patients Participates as a peer reviewer when requested Provides other clinical services as assigned consistent with clinical privileges Administrative: Participates and attends medical center committees as assigned by the Chief of Optometry Service Assists in the development and implementation of care programs Selects/Recommends new staff based on a performance-based selection process. Participates in various facility programs designed to enhance and improve the delivery of patient care services such as Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) teams Academic: Assist in the development and implementation of education and training programs for optometry externs Research: Support the medical center wide research mission Assist in conducting studies regarding treatment modalities, outcomes and other aspect of patient care VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package total rewards package. 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 Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm (Semi-Compressed available)
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.