Staff Optometrist

Veterans Health Administration • Hot Springs, SD

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Staff Optometrist is an independent practitioner and full member of the eye care team, responsible for outpatient eye care and ancillary testing within the scope of their credentials and clinical privileges. The role includes clinical oversight of trainees as needed, teaching medical students rotating through the VA Health Care System, and providing ongoing patient and family education throughout treatment. Care is delivered within the VA Midwest Health Care Network’s Whole Health System, which emphasizes personalized health plans, healing relationships and environments, and connection to the Veteran’s community.

The position requires accurate and timely patient documentation in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS), proper use and maintenance of specialized equipment, and adherence to standards for reusable medical equipment. The Optometrist also helps orient new staff, supports informed consent, follows safety and infection-control practices, and participates in performance improvement, disaster preparedness, and administrative work. Duties may include other responsibilities assigned by the Surgery/Specialty Care Chief, Chief of Optometry, or BHHCS Executive Team.

The position is offered part-time or full-time, with a Monday–Thursday schedule. The full-time schedule may have a compressed tour. Telework and virtual work are not available. The role is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to program requirements and approval; awards may be up to $200,000 for one to five years.

Requirements

• Doctor of Optometry degree from a school or college approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the year the course of study was completed.
• Current, full, unrestricted optometry license and current registration in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, with successful passage of all parts of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry intended for basic licensure.
• Successful completion of an approved residency in an accredited or pre-accredited postgraduate training program, or two years of licensed clinical optometric practice in the United States actively managing medically complex patients.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Experience sufficient to perform general optometry duties, including clinical oversight of trainees as needed, and specialized functions and procedures without supervision.
• U.S. citizenship is required unless qualified U.S. citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and, for testing-designated positions, urinalysis screening for illegal drug use.
• Must complete required background/security investigation and online onboarding.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must serve a two-year probationary period.
• Daily intermittent walking, standing, bending, stooping, reaching, and carrying lightweight items are required; rigid deadlines and high accuracy requirements may periodically be stressful.

Responsibilities

• Provide outpatient optometric care and ancillary testing within the scope of credentials and clinical privileges.
• Exercise independent clinical judgment and perform general optometry duties, specialized functions, and procedures without supervision.
• Provide clinical oversight of trainees as needed and assist in teaching medical students rotating through the VA Health Care System.
• Provide ongoing patient and family education, including informed consent.
• Enter accurate, complete, and timely progress notes in patients’ electronic records using CPRS.
• Properly use, maintain, and calibrate specialized equipment used to assess and care for patients.
• Demonstrate knowledge of and maintain standards for the use and reprocessing of Reusable Medical Equipment (RME).
• Assist with orientation of new staff.
• Follow safety, health, infection-control, and ergonomic standards; report unsafe conditions to a supervisor or appropriate officials.
• Participate in performance-improvement activities, disaster preparedness, and administrative duties.
• Perform other responsibilities assigned by the Surgery/Specialty Care Chief, Chief of Optometry, or BHHCS Executive Team.
• Consider patients’ age, functional capacity, ability to understand and follow directions, and ability to provide objective self-assessments when planning care.

Benefits

• Eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility requirements and program approval; award may be up to $200,000 for one to five years.
• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package for eligible employees.

What This Job Offers

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