This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/435118300. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
The West Texas VA Health Care System (WTVAHCS) provides a variety of patient care services, with state-of-the-art technology as well as offering numerous educational programs. Outpatient services include: Ambulatory Care Service, Mental Health, Women's Health, Transition and Care Management, Home Based Primary Care, Tele-Health, Anticoagulation Clinics, Ophthalmology, and Dentistry. Skilled nursing care and acute rehabilitation is provided in the Community Living Center, with specialty referrals to other VISN 17 facilities and community services. Staffed with approximately 600 employees, the facility serves counties in West Texas and New Mexico area, with a Veteran population of approximately 57,000. The WTVAHCS is part of the VA Heart of Texas Health Care Network, VISN 17 and is centrally located at the crossroads of Interstate 20 and Highway 87 in Big Spring, Texas with Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC's) located in Abilene, Odessa, San Angelo, Ft. Stockton, Texas and Hobbs, New Mexico.
Big Spring, "The Crossroads of West Texas" is home of the newly restored historic "Settles Hotel", "The Spring", and home of the National Championship Howard College Hawks Basketball and Baseball teams. With a growing economy, our city has many new businesses locating in the area offering more shopping and family orientated attractions. Big Spring is centrally located within driving range of the following communities Midland, Odessa, San Angelo, Abilene, and Lubbock, Texas.
www.mybigspring.com
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
02/29/2016 to 02/28/2017
$72,168 - $155,073 per year
VP 00
1 vacancy in the following location:
Not required
No
Permanent
Full-time - Full Time
No
VHA-519-NR-16-1638010hhl-BU
435118300
The West Texas VA Health Care System, Big Spring, Texas is currently recruiting for an Optometrist, Ophthalmology Service. The Optometrist will provide professional judgment in diagnosing the full range of complex ophthalmic conditions as well as planning and executing the necessary treatment programs to meet complex and frequent changes in treatment objectives; promotes communication between Eye Clinic team members, patients, and their families to facilitate the medical treatment process; provides clinical supervision to Optometry interns or residents; refers patients with multiple health problems to other providers within the facility and the VISN; consults with physicians and others, when requested, to augment the care of their patients as it relates to emergent and traumatic conditions as well as ophthalmic manifestations of systemic conditions; utilizes the general clinical privileges which include ordering diagnostic tests as appropriate; and write prescriptions for medications or other items on the hospital formulary; independently exercises creativity in solving problems without direct supervisory guidance to meet the varying needs of patients while under care in the Eye Clinic and assures that a high degree of quality patient care is provided at all times.
Work Schedule: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and may vary by hiring facility.
Functional Statement Title/#: 000000
APPLICANTS WILL BE REVIEWED EVERY 14 DAYS FOR CONSIDERATION OF THIS VACANCY
DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION: 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. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received.
Physical Requirements: Position is subject to a pre-employment physical and medical examination. The position requires: Light lifting, under 25 pounds; light carrying, under 25 pounds; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; walking; standing; repeated bending; and hearing (aid permitted); working closely with others; working alone; protracted or irregular hours of working and occasional emotional strain.
Basic Requirements:
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.
a. Associate Grade - None beyond the basic requirements.
b. Full Grade - Two years of optometry practice or its equivalent. One year of approved residency training or its creditable equivalent acceptable to the Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association is acceptable in lieu of the 2 years of practice. Candidate must have demonstrated the professional competence and performance necessary to provide independently the full range of clinical optometric diagnosis and treatment for all the most prevalent types of vision dysfunctions and the detection and referral of patients with ocular disease or ocular manifestations of systemic disease.
c. Intermediate Grade - meets the requirements in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) below:
(1) Four years of optometric practice or its equivalent. One year of approved residency training or its creditable equivalent acceptable to the Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association is acceptable in lieu of 2 years of practice.
(2) The optometrist at this level has successfully passed the examination of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry and has attained either of the following:
(a) The stature that would warrant appointment at the clinical instructor or higher level at a school or college of optometry.
(b) The professional ability and personal attributes which have merited significant recognition by a recognized professional organization, such as election to a Fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry.
(3) Has achieved a high level or professional attainment as illustrated by one or more of the following examples:
(a) Is a recognized expert in the diagnosis and treatment of unusual and complicated visual dysfunctions. Typically, in this capacity serves as a consultant to optometrist and other professionals in other health facilities or provides expert clinical services in such areas as the partially sighted or contact lenses for aphasics.
(b) Has assumed responsibility for a multi-faceted optometric program including clinical research and/or training requiring a high degree of competence and skill in developing innovative and new and advanced instrumentation and treatment techniques. Typically, the program is in an educationally affiliated health care facility having an optometric training program of moderate scope involving liaison with other medical services and affiliated schools.
(c) Has played a significant part in the conduct of vision research in a problem area of considerable scope and complexity which required novel approaches and which resulted in answers to important questions or important changes in existing methods and techniques. Publications authored by a professional ability and personal attributes which have merited significant recognition by a recognized professional organization, such as election to a Fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry.
(d) Has Had full responsibility for carrying out an optometric training program of significant size in which the optometrist has been responsible for maintaining liaison with the affiliated school and other educational institutions and professional or scientific organizations. Innovative approaches in development of curriculum and course content and in expanding and improving the educational program have been displayed by the individual.
d. Senior Grade - Meets the requirements for Intermediate grade and the requirements in paragraphs (1) and (2) below:
(1) The optometrist at this level possesses such academic stature as would warrant a faculty appointment of a professional level in an approved school or college of optometry.
(2) Has demonstrated recognized superior professional attainment as evidenced by one or more of the following examples:
(a) Has served as a team leader in attacking major optometric problems affecting the continued provision of quality care health services at the VISN, statewide, or national level. There is such confidence in the optometrist at this level that there is unusual support of the individual's recommendations and conclusions.
(b) Has had responsibility for carrying out a major optometric program segment on a national level.
(3) Has conducted high level studies in a difficult area of visions research which has contributed to a substantial advance in the health field with important professional publications.
(e) Chief Grade - Meets the requirements for Senior grade and must demonstrate a sustained very high level of professional performance with evidence of exceptional professional and/or administrative development by the following:
(1) Has assumed substantial professional and/or administrative responsibilities in which the individual is expected to fully advise and make professional clinical and educational recommendations as to courses of action on problems and considerations of national scope in all areas of optometry. Typically, the optometrist at this level has had responsibility for a major optometric program segment on a nationwide basis and has been consistently called upon to represent the organization in an authoritative manner in matters dealing with development of new and/or revised concepts and programs having a major impact upon the academic, medical, and optometric communities.
(2) Outstanding professional attainment. Examples of such attainment are:
(a) Achievement of outstanding results in research which are regarded as having a major impact on advancing the field.
(b) Significant number of note worthy publications in professional journals.
References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-5 Optometrist Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resource Office.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
Your application, résumé and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
NOTE: The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will recommend the grade and salary for new appointments. For internal selectees being promoted, the board will determine grade and HR will determine step in accordance with policy.
VA Form 10-2850 - Application for Physicians, Dentists, Podiatrists, Optometrists and Chiropractors (required). Available at the VA Forms website: http://www.va.gov/vaforms/search_action.asp?FormNo=10-2850&tkey=&Action=Search
Please use this checklistto make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, etc. You will not be contacted for additional information.
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), or 10pt (CP/CPS, XPP, XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP), on the Occupational Questionnaire in the section(s) provided. A legible copy of your DD214(s) indicating character of service, disability certification, SF-15 (if claiming 10 pt. preference) or if you are currently serving on active duty and expected to be released or discharged within 120 days; documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), or dates of impending separation. Documentation is required for eligibility verification.
Faxing Applications or Supporting Documents: You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. If you are unable to apply online or unable to upload your supporting documents to your online application, follow the directions located at the following site: Fax Options. The Vacancy ID of the job opportunity announcement is 1638010.
NOTE: If you applied online and your application is complete, do not fax the paper application (1203-FX) as this will overwrite your prior online responses and may result in you being found ineligible.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online.
To apply for this position, you must complete the View Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 to receive consideration.
1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. During our review, if your résumé and application package do not support your questionnaire answers, we will adjust your rating accordingly. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email (if provided); otherwise, applicants will receive a notification letter via the U.S. Postal Service. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USAJOBS account and clicking on "Application Status." For a more detailed update of your status, click on "more information." Information regarding applicant notification points can be found in the USAJobs Resource Center.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/435118300. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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Vacancy Identification Number (VIN): 1638010
OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans?