Clarification from the agency

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. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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The Optometrist works as a member of a multi-disciplinary care team collaborating with other members of the team to provide medical care to Veterans. Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Provide outpatient vision care to all veterans, including those who may be legally blind/visually impaired patients as appropriate.
• Prescribe ocular prosthetic devices (spectacles, prisms).
• Consistently demonstrate expertise in diagnosing and managing wide range of ophthalmic conditions, to include cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, dry eye, ocular emergencies, and other acute or urgent ocular conditions.
• Demonstrate expertise in ophthalmic imaging and interpretation of results.
• Support tele-eye efforts by requesting tele-retinal images when appropriate and making clinical recommendations based on diagnostic reports.
• Collaborate regularly with Optometry and Ophthalmology at the MKE, APP and GRB Eye Clinics for Veterans' needs and service support.
• Work collaboratively with other disciplines to provide integrated care services. Provide consultative reports , as well as refer patients as indicated to primary care physicians, staff, and specialists.
• Contribute to the teaching, supervising and administration of optometric externship programs.
• Provide administrative support to service.
• Timely document notes and encounter forms in all areas, in accordance with facility policy. All administrative work will be completed in a timely fashion.
• Keep informed of developments in the management and treatment of diseases and illness through continuing education - both formal and informal.
• Participate in OPPE (Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation) and other peer review activities when requested.
• Revise work schedules and assignments on short notice to meet unpredictable changes in workloads and/or deadlines, to meet the needs of the Veteran and facility performance targets.
• Meet all VA requirements on a timely basis including computer security training, customer service training and cultural/diversity training.
• Demonstrate courtesy and professionalism and a positive attitude toward Veterans, co-workers, and the public.
• Identify Veteran concerns and apply discernment and sensitivity when performing tasks required to resolve issues accurately and timely. She/he facilitates any necessary follow-up to ensure satisfactory resolution of problems.
• Utilize computerized programs to enter, modify and retrieve sensitive information in the form of electronic medical records. Patient confidentiality will be always maintained per HIPPA requirements.
• The staff optometrist works in a proficient and self-directed manner to accomplish all clinical and administrative duties.

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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical 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

To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement. Applicants pending the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Employees in VHA in this occupation, under a permanent, appropriate, and legal placement on the effective date of the qualification standard, are considered to have met all basic requirements for the occupation.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• 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.
• 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.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7402(d) and 7407(d).

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application, resume, C.V., and/or other supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: A formal pay-setting process will be used to determine your salary. The salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

Veterans' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA. When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.