Optometrist

Veterans Health Administration • Phoenix, AZ

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The VA Phoenix Healthcare System (PVAHCS), Surgical Care Service, is seeking two staff Optometrists to provide optometric care in the Eye Clinic. The role routinely performs comprehensive outpatient and inpatient eye examinations, determines diagnoses, initiates treatment, and serves as a consultant to other medical center staff and trainees.

Optometrists perform comprehensive examinations and diagnose and treat eye disorders using appropriate techniques and quality-care guidelines established by VAHCS, the American Board of Optometry, and accepted standards of care. They participate in the on-call schedule as directed, supervise trainees when appropriate, complete required clinical charting and documentation, consult on patient-care issues, conduct program evaluations, and maintain full clinical privileges and compliance with Medical Staff By-laws. They may serve on Medical Center and VISN committees or task forces, advise other services about related service development, and perform other duties assigned by the Chief of Surgical Service.

The position has a compressed work schedule. The VA offers a total rewards package that includes competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases, paid leave and federal holidays, retirement benefits, federal insurance programs, possible CME reimbursement for eligible full-time board-certified employees, and malpractice liability protection with tail coverage. There is no Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.

Requirements

• Doctor of Optometry degree from a school or college approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education for the year of graduation.
• Current, full, unrestricted license to practice optometry and current registration in a U.S. state, territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, with successful passage of all National Board of Examiners in Optometry parts intended for basic licensure.
• Successful completion of an approved accredited or pre-accredited post-graduate residency, or comparable experience consisting of two years of licensed clinical optometric practice in the United States with active involvement in managing medically complex patients.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• United States citizenship; non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing-designated position must undergo urinalysis for illegal drug use.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Must undergo a background/security investigation, complete online onboarding and application requirements, and pass a pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• May be required to serve a probationary period.

Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive outpatient and inpatient eye examinations.
• Diagnose and treat eye disorders using appropriate techniques and established quality-care guidelines and standards.
• Participate in the on-call schedule as directed by the Chief of Optometry or Chief of Surgery.
• Supervise trainees providing direct eye care, as appropriate.
• Complete clinical charting, documentation, and outcome data required by the Medical Center.
• Consult with Medical Center staff on patient-care issues and serve as a resource to staff and trainees.
• Conduct program evaluations.
• Maintain full clinical privileges as a member of the Medical Staff and abide by Medical Staff By-laws.
• Serve on Medical Center and VISN committees or task forces as needed.
• Consult with and advise other services regarding the need to develop related services.
• Perform other duties assigned by the Chief of Surgical Service.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, and regular salary increases.
• 50–55 days of paid time off per year, including 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays, and possible five-day paid CME absence.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Possible $1,000 per year CME reimbursement for full-time employees with board certification.
• Free malpractice liability protection with tail coverage.
• No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.

What This Job Offers

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