Optometrist

Akicita Federal, LLC • Sisseton, SD

8d

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 roles support the Indian Health Service’s mission of providing healthcare to 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 and treatment, manage ocular diseases, prescribe and fit corrective devices, and coordinate with other clinical providers to support integrated, patient-centered care. They will document care in the facility’s electronic health record, educate patients, and participate in quality improvement activities.

Akicita Federal is a Native American-owned federal contractor delivering healthcare, clinical, IT, and program-support services to the Indian Health Service, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and other federal agencies. The company is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and complies with applicable Indian Preference provisions of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.

Requirements

• Current, valid Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree from an accredited school or college of optometry.
• Active, unrestricted license to practice optometry; licensure in South Dakota or 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 starting work.

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, such as diabetes-related eye conditions.
• Experience with 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.

Responsibilities

• Provide complete optometric examinations, diagnose ocular diseases, and prescribe corrective lenses and treatment plans for a diverse patient population.
• Diagnose and manage glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and other anterior and posterior segment disorders.
• Accurately 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 people with complex or chronic health conditions.
• Prescribe and fit eyeglasses, contact lenses, and low-vision aids appropriate to patients’ clinical and lifestyle needs.
• Educate patients about eye health maintenance, disease management, and preventive care strategies.
• Participate in quality improvement activities and collaborate with facility leadership to support the health service delivery mission.

What This Job Offers

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