Staff Optometrist - EDRP Approved

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP app within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & 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 ineligible to apply.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Staff Optometrists are responsible for patient care, education, and research within the Optometry and Ophthalmology section of Surgical Service. The scope of activities covers all phases of ambulatory care, with most time devoted to patient care, and remaining time allocated to teaching, and administration. Staff Optometrists must be competent clinicians with a Doctor of Optometry degree, licensed in a U.S. state or territory, and Board Certified or Board Eligible by a recognized Optometry Certification Board. They are expected to contribute to teaching and research, possess leadership skills, and demonstrate knowledge in adult education principles, psychosocial aspects of health care, preventive medicine, and primary care. Staff Optometrists examine, diagnose, treat, and manage conditions of the visual system and associated structures, including diseases, injuries, and disorders. Duties include performing specified surgical procedures, prescribing medication, visual rehabilitation, and corrective lenses. They provide primary eye and vision care services, order diagnostic imaging and laboratory studies, prepare referrals, and educate patients and families. Clinical procedures include medical and ocular history, visual acuity measurement, pupillary function testing, color vision testing, extra-ocular muscle function and binocularity testing, refractive and accommodative testing, external examination, bio-microscopic evaluation, ophthalmoscopic, tonometric, and perimetric evaluations. Staff Optometrists actively participate in patient care, conferences, consultations, ambulatory care, and similar activities. They coordinate and provide optometry consultation throughout the medical center, assist in the selection and development of other Optometrists, and ensure educational experiences meet accrediting body standards. They represent the Optometry Section on medical center committees and are responsible for completing relevant documentation within specified time frames and meeting organizational goals. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 4:45 PM Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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. 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. 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.