Staff Optometrist

Veterans Health Administration • Vero Beach, FL

18d • 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 and Ophthalmology colleagues and contributes to the productivity, efficiency, and effectiveness of patient care in the Eye Clinic. The role may also involve teaching, supervising, and administering optometric externship programs.

The position provides comprehensive clinical optometric services, including assessment, diagnostic work-up, treatment planning, patient education, routine eye examinations, and management of ocular conditions. The optometrist evaluates complex ophthalmic conditions, interprets ocular disease and systemic disease manifestations, orders and assesses diagnostic tests, prescribes glasses and medications, arranges referrals, and documents care and outcomes. The position is based at the Vero Beach location. Telework and virtual work are not available.

Requirements

• Doctor of Optometry degree from an approved school or college of optometry, or an education accepted by a U.S. licensing body as qualifying for full or unrestricted licensure.
• Active, full, and unrestricted license to practice optometry in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; maintain current state registration if required.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Pass a pre-employment physical examination.
• Meet the applicable VA optometrist grade requirements. Full Grade requires two years of optometric practice or equivalent, or one year of approved residency training or equivalent in lieu of two years of practice, plus demonstrated ability to independently provide the full range of clinical optometric diagnosis and treatment.
• Intermediate Grade requires four years of optometric practice or equivalent, or approved residency training creditable in lieu of practice, successful completion of National Board of Examiners in Optometry examinations, and a high level of professional attainment.
• Senior Grade requires Intermediate Grade qualifications, academic stature warranting a professional-level faculty appointment, and recognized superior professional attainment.
• Chief Grade requires Senior Grade qualifications and sustained, very high professional performance with exceptional professional or administrative development and outstanding professional attainment.
• Pass required pre-employment screening and onboarding requirements, including drug testing if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position, background/security investigation, and required identification verification.
• Comply with the seasonal influenza vaccination program requirement for VA health care personnel.
• Be physically and mentally able to perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to self or others.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose complex ophthalmic conditions and plan and execute appropriate treatment programs.
• Provide comprehensive patient assessment, diagnostic work-up, clinic intervention, health-history review, physical examination, and patient education for veterans.
• Order and evaluate diagnostic tests, recommend treatment or referrals, and validate the effectiveness of prior medical treatment.
• Document health appraisal information, clinical assessments, treatment decisions, plans of care, 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, 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 colleagues.
• Contribute to teaching, supervising, and administering optometric externship programs.
• Support quality patient care and the productivity, efficiency, and effectiveness of Eye Clinic activities.

Benefits

• Potential reimbursement of relocation expenses for eligible applicants.
• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.
• 50 days of paid time off per year: 26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

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