Staff Optometrist

Veterans Health Administration•Richmond, VA

13d•Onsite

About The Position

The Staff Optometrist position is located at the Richmond VA Medical Center and operates within an ambulatory care setting. The role is part of the Surgery Service Line, with input on performance evaluations provided by the Ophthalmology Section Lead. The Staff Optometrist is responsible for comprehensive optometric exams, diagnosing and treating ophthalmic conditions, and collaborating with other healthcare providers. The position also involves administrative duties such as committee participation and performance improvement programs, as well as potential involvement in research related to visual science and clinical optometry. Continuous professional development and education are expected.

Requirements

Citizen of the United States (U.S.).
Degree of Doctor of Optometry from a VA-approved school or college.
Current, full, and unrestricted license to practice optometry in a state, territory, or Commonwealth of the U.S., or the District of Columbia.
Must have passed all parts of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry intended for basic licensure.
Maintain current registration in the state of licensure if required for continuing active, current licensure.
Successfully completed residency training approved by the Secretary of VA in an accredited post-graduate training program, or have comparable experience (two years of licensed clinical optometric practice in the U.S. with active involvement in the management of medically complex patients).
Proficient in spoken and written English.
Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement.
May be required to serve a probationary period.
Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of the announcement.
All qualified candidates encouraged to apply.
Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
Subject to background/security investigation.
Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.
Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.

Nice To Haves

2 plus years experience in the field.
Clinical oversight of trainees as needed.
Some specialized functions and procedures without supervision.

Responsibilities

Perform complete and thorough optometric exams and complete all clinical documentation requirements timely.
Exercise independent professional judgment in diagnosing the full range of complex ophthalmic conditions and planning/executing necessary treatment programs.
Promote communication and interactions between Eye Clinic team members, patients, and their families to facilitate the medical treatment process.
Refer patients with multiple health problems to other providers within the facility and the VISN when indicated.
Consult with physicians and others, when requested, to augment the care of their patients as it relates to emergent and traumatic conditions, as well as ophthalmic manifestations of systemic conditions.
Order diagnostic tests as appropriate.
Write prescriptions for medications or other items on the hospital formulary.
Hospitalize patients within the VISN as appropriate.
Discharge patients from outpatient care if it is determined that care is no longer required.
Participate in clinical and administrative committee assignments.
Attend at least 50% of regularly scheduled Staff meetings.
Participate in any required Performance Improvement programs.
Assist in the development and implementation of care programs in Optometry Service.
Participate in the selection of new staff as assigned.
Follow accepted infection control and safety procedures as well as other station policy procedures.
Participate in surveys within the Ophthalmology Section to ascertain patient satisfaction of care provided.
Participate, where appropriate, in research in basic visual science and clinical optometry.
Encourage participation in clinical research among other staff members.
Participate fully in educational development through staff and section meetings.
Assume responsibility for professional development by attending relevant training and regularly reviewing the literature to improve clinical competencies and meeting professional continuing education requirements to maintain current competence and licensure.
Attend at least 50% of the regular Medical Staff Meetings.
Perform other duties as assigned.