Summary 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 application 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. Responsibilities The Optometry Supervisor for Technology Based Eye Care Services (TECS) provides administrative oversight and management of all Connected Care optometry staff and clinic operations and reports to the Chief of Connected Care at the Orlando VA Medical Center. TECS is a store and forward telehealth eye screening clinic that offers comprehensive eye screenings and glasses. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited too: Responsible for the supervision, administrative management and technical direction of the TECS program, including direct supervision of staff optometrists and Certified Ophthalmic Technicians (COAs). Promote teamwork and communication within the TECS program and in cooperation and coordination with the Chief of Connected Care, Connected Care Nurse Manager, and Telehealth Clinical Technician supervisor. Make decisions with independent judgment on day-to-day operations but with consultation and collaboration when necessary with the Chief of Connected Care, Chief of Optometry, and/or Section Chief of the Eye Clinic. Remain informed of the latest developments in the management and treatment of diseases and illness through continuing medical education, both formal and informal. Diagnose and treat seriously ill, multisymptomatic patients. Revise work schedules and assignments as needed to meet changes in workloads meeting performance measures and targets. Provide other clinical services as assigned consistent with clinical privileges as assigned by the Chief, Optometry Service and Chief of Connected Care. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 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 the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment 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 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 Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.) in accordance with section 7402(c) to title 38, United States Code (U.S.C). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens according to 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). English Language Proficiency. Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Education-Transcripts Submitted: 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. Licensure or Registration:-Documentation Submitted . 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-Documentation Submitted: 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, Two years of licensed clinical optometric practice in the United States consisting of active involvement in the management of medically complex patients. NOTE: The Approving Official may approve, under unusual circumstances, a waiver of residency or comparable experience. Supervisory Optometrist Requirements: In addition to the basic requirements above, all applicants must meet the following staff requirement to qualify for this position: Supervisory Optometrist: An Optometrist in a leadership position must demonstrate the following: (1) Outstanding professional ability in the practice of optometry and healthcare administration; (2) The ability to guide the development and implementation of programs within their respective domain, to include but not limited to, optometry practice, professional standards, personnel issues, quality and performance improvement; (3) Effectiveness in coordinating and managing interdisciplinary collaboration with both internal and external stakeholders to optimize the care of patients under their purview. Preferred Experience: Preferred candidate has experience in Technology-Based Eye Care Services program or other store-and-forward Telehealth-based eye care Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-15 Physical Requirements: Must pass a pre-employment physical examination as required by VA Handbook 5019. This examination is administered by VA Occupational Health. This position requires moderate lifting up to 44 lbs., carrying objects up to 15 lbs., frequent reaching, use of hands and fingers, use of cranes and motor vehicles, walking, standing, bending and climbing. The incumbent must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of this position without hazard to themselves or others. Education 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. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. 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. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
