Staff Optometrist

Veterans Health Administration • Vero Beach, FL

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The West Palm Beach VA Healthcare at the Vero Beach location is seeking an experienced, dynamic Optometrist to provide quality eye care to Veterans and support the growth and development of a VA academic hospital program. The Optometrist works with Optometry, Ophthalmology, and other professionals to deliver diagnostic, preventative, and therapeutic care in a hospital-based eye clinic. The role may also contribute to teaching, supervising, and administering optometric externship programs.

The position provides comprehensive patient assessment, diagnostic work-up, clinic intervention, education, treatment planning, and ongoing management. Care includes routine eye examinations; prescribing glasses; managing conditions such as diabetes-related eye disease, macular degeneration, and glaucoma; interpreting ocular and systemic disease manifestations; and ordering, verifying, dispensing, and adjusting optical aids for patients with visual impairment. The role is intended to provide high-quality Veteran care and improve the productivity, efficiency, and effectiveness of Eye Clinic activities.

The posted schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Schedules are subject to supervisor approval, and the incumbent may be required to work different shifts temporarily or permanently based on facility or patient-care needs. Telework and virtual work are not available. Relocation reimbursement may be available to qualified applicants; recruitment incentives are authorized, while permanent change-of-station expenses are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception under VA policy when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Doctor of Optometry degree from a qualifying school or college of optometry.
• Active, full, and unrestricted license to practice optometry in a U.S. state, territory, or commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; current state registration if required.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• For Full Grade: two years of optometric practice or equivalent, or one year of approved residency training or its creditable equivalent in lieu of the stated practice requirement; demonstrated competence to independently provide the full range of clinical optometric diagnosis and treatment for prevalent vision dysfunctions and detect and refer ocular disease or systemic disease manifestations.
• For Intermediate Grade: four years of optometric practice or equivalent, with approved residency training or its creditable equivalent acceptable in lieu of two years of practice; successful completion of National Board of Examiners in Optometry examinations; and a high level of professional attainment.
• For Senior Grade: meet Intermediate Grade requirements, possess academic stature warranting a professional-level faculty appointment at an approved optometry school or college, and demonstrate recognized superior professional attainment.
• For Chief Grade: meet Senior Grade requirements and demonstrate sustained very high professional performance, exceptional professional or administrative development, and outstanding professional attainment.
• Pass a pre-employment physical examination and meet the position’s physical requirements, including moderate lifting up to 44 pounds, carrying objects up to 15 pounds, frequent reaching, use of hands and fingers, walking, standing, bending, and climbing.
• Meet VA pre-employment conditions, including background/security investigation, required onboarding, and seasonal influenza vaccination; selected applicants in testing-designated positions are subject to pre-employment urinalysis.
• Meet Selective Service registration requirements if applicable.
• Complete all application requirements specified in the announcement.

Nice To Haves

• One year of approved optometry residency training or its creditable equivalent may substitute for the stated practice experience at applicable grade levels.
• Experience contributing to an academic optometry program or teaching and supervising optometric externs is relevant to the role.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose complex ophthalmic conditions and plan and provide appropriate treatment.
• Provide comprehensive patient assessments, diagnostic work-ups, and clinic interventions, including health histories, physical examinations, and patient education.
• Order and evaluate diagnostic tests, recommend treatment or referrals, and assess the effectiveness of previously implemented medical treatment.
• Document health appraisals, clinical assessments, treatment decisions, care plans, ongoing management, and therapeutic outcomes.
• Order medications, diagnostic tests, and referral consultations as needed for patient encounters.
• Conduct routine eye examinations and prescribe glasses.
• Manage ocular conditions commonly seen in a hospital-based eye clinic, including diabetes-related conditions, macular degeneration, and glaucoma.
• Interpret diseases and conditions of the eye and adnexa, including ocular manifestations of systemic disease.
• Order, verify, dispense, and adjust optical aids for visually impaired patients.
• Integrate eye care services with other professionals and work closely with Optometry and Ophthalmology to care for Veterans.
• Contribute to teaching, supervising, and administering optometric externship programs.
• Support quality patient care and the productivity, efficiency, and effectiveness of Eye Clinic activities.

Benefits

• 50 days of paid time off per year: 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting.
• Federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs may continue into retirement.
• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.
• Potential reimbursement of relocation expenses for qualified applicants.

What This Job Offers

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