Summary The Optometrist in the Alaska VA Healthcare System (AVAHS) is an independent care provider who is highly skilled in the management of a patients' optometric needs and treatment. The Optometrist will be credentialed and privileged at AVAHS. The Optometrist will provide VHA approved/covered optometry services to eligible Veterans. Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): APPROVED! Learn more. Responsibilities The duties of the position include, but are not limited to: The Optometrist provides age-specific care for young adult (18-40 years), middle adult (40-65 years), older adult (65-74 years), and geriatric (over 75 years) patients. The Optometrist provides effective education to patients, family, students, postgraduates, and co- workers as appropriate. The Optometrist identifies quality improvement (QI) issues and participates in QI monitoring and in evaluation of clinical practice. The physician utilizes QI findings to improve quality of care and provides leadership in adhering to and promoting practice based on current standards of clinical practice. The Optometrist practices, promotes and implements current safety policies and procedures. The physician assesses safety needs of patients and implements opportunities to improve environmental and operational safety. The Optometrist will support safety, occupational health, and fire protection programs for the VA by the application of approved standards, regulations, practices and work methods. The Optometrist must be able to use VA systems including but not limited to: VA Network Access VA Vista and CPRS (Computerized Patient Reporting System) or VA Oracle/ Cerner Millennium JLV (Joint Legacy Viewer) VA TMS (Talent Management System) VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. 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. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified candidates. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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. 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. Optometrist Basic Requirements 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.~AND~ 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: 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.~AND~ 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. Preferred Experience: Patient care activities in the Eye Clinic Planning, coordination and exercising professional judgment in diagnosing the full range of complex optometric conditions Planning and executing the necessary treatment programs to meet complex and frequent changes in the treatment objective Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Light lifting, under 15 pounds; Light carrying, under 15 pounds; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (3 hours); Standing (4 hours); Repeated bending (3 hours); Specific visual requirement (see computer screen); Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted). Education Note: The only 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.You can verify your education here: https://theacoe.org/program-directories. 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.
