Optometrist

This is an Open Continuous Announcement until September 30, 2026. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. The Optometrist position requires the incumbent to provide coverage across all VA Hudson Valley Healthcare System locations in New York, including Carmel, Castle Point, Goshen, Montrose, Monticello, New City, Pine Plains, Port Jervis, and Poughkeepsie.

The Optometrist position is primarily located at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) Campus of the VA Hudson Valley Health Care System, located in Montrose, New York and Castle Point Campus of the VA Hudson Valley Health Care System, located in Castle Point, New York. While Montrose and Castle Point serve as the main work locations, the incumbent must be able to provide coverage at other VA Hudson Valley Health facilities. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Duties include but are not limited to the following: Diagnose, manage, and treat visual and ocular problems through external and internal physical evaluation of the eye and ocular adnexa, using advanced optometric technology and medical imaging/information, laboratory results, radiology services, etc. Perform and document comprehensive or targeted eye examinations. Provide thorough refractive and ocular health assessments for patients. Order diagnostic studies pertinent to ocular evaluations. Provide urgent eye care services as needed. Provide patient care following national guidelines. Treat visual disorders through the prescription of corrective lenses, vision training, and pharmacological means. Prescribe medications for ocular diseases in accordance with federal and state laws, or refer patients to appropriate specialists if outside the scope of optometry practice. Prescribe and fit eyeglasses per the local facility VA directive for prosthetics. Coordinate medical eye care with other physicians within the facility when eye disease is concurrent with systemic disease. Consult with other healthcare disciplines as necessary to complete patient evaluations and ensure integrated care. Utilize appropriate referral for ophthalmological care when patients' ocular needs surpass the incumbent's scope of practice as defined by clinical privileges, VA regulations, and/or licensure restrictions. Educate patients based on findings to help them understand and cope with their eye problems. Provide quality patient education and involve the patient/family in decision-making processes. Engage in health promotion and disease prevention activities, including patient education and shared decision-making. Obtain consent for procedures when necessary and document appropriately. Record patient-provider transactions in the problem-oriented medical record and complete required data collection instruments, referrals, and medical records as required. Accurately document patient care activities in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) per WTVAHCS requirements. Adhere to hospital clinical privileges, Optometric accrediting agencies, medical staff bylaws, rules, policies, and regulations. Maintain updated Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. Support the Chief Optometrist and assist in all aspects of administrative duties as needed. Participate in the development and implementation of departmental policies and procedures. Contribute to performance improvement initiatives within the Optometry Service. Perform 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: May be eligible for a $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: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc as determined by the agency policy. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.

All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens. 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.