Optometrist

Akicita Federal • Sisseton, SD

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Akicita Federal is hiring two Optometrists to provide comprehensive eye care to American Indian and Alaska Native patients served by the Woodrow Wilson Keeble Memorial Health Care Center in Sisseton, South Dakota. The positions support the Indian Health Service’s mission of serving approximately 7,000 tribal members on the Lake Traverse Reservation, a rural community where patients may travel significant distances to access specialty care.

Optometrists will provide examinations, diagnose and manage ocular diseases, prescribe and fit corrective lenses and other aids, and educate patients about eye health and preventive care. They will document care in the facility’s electronic health record, coordinate with on-site providers and specialists, and participate in quality improvement activities in support of the facility’s health service delivery mission.

Requirements

• Current, valid Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree from an accredited school or college of optometry.
• Active, unrestricted license to practice optometry; state licensure must be valid. South Dakota licensure or the ability to obtain it before starting is preferred.
• Ability to pass an FBI National Criminal History (fingerprint) background check, adjudicated before beginning work.
• Must not appear on the HHS Office of Inspector General List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE).
• Willingness to complete facility security pre-clearance requirements before the start of performance.

Nice To Haves

• Prior optometric care experience in a federally qualified health center, tribal health program, Indian Health Service facility, or other safety-net or rural healthcare setting.
• Familiarity with ocular manifestations of chronic diseases prevalent in Native American communities, including diabetes-related eye conditions.
• Experience serving underserved or frontier populations facing geographic or socioeconomic barriers to specialty care.
• Residency training in ocular disease, primary care optometry, or a related specialty area.
• Comfort working in a multidisciplinary clinical environment with integrated medical and behavioral health teams.
• South Dakota optometry licensure or ability to obtain it before starting.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive optometric examinations, diagnose ocular diseases, and prescribe corrective lenses and treatment plans.
• Diagnose and manage glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and other anterior and posterior segment disorders.
• Document patient encounters, clinical findings, and treatment decisions in the facility’s electronic health record system.
• Coordinate with on-site medical providers and specialists to deliver integrated, patient-centered care for patients with complex or chronic conditions.
• Prescribe and fit eyeglasses, contact lenses, and low-vision aids suited to patients’ clinical and lifestyle needs.
• Educate patients about eye health maintenance, disease management, and preventive care.
• Participate in quality improvement activities and collaborate with facility leadership to support health service delivery.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree