Staff Optometrist

Veterans Health Administration • Fort Harrison, MT

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Montana VA Health Care System is recruiting one Staff Optometrist to serve at the Ft Harrison VA Medical Center. The optometrist provides outpatient and inpatient optometric care, practices independently within approved clinical privileges, and performs general and specialty services, including routine and complex eye examinations. The role includes clinical oversight of trainees as needed and performing specialized functions and procedures without supervision.

The optometrist manages patient orders and referrals through the facility’s electronic medical record, prescribes medications within the scope of optometric practice, educates patients and families, and contributes to clinical performance measures and eye quality indicators. The position also involves completing medical records and administrative duties, attending required meetings, and completing mandatory training.

The position follows a Monday through Friday schedule, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package, including salary, leave, retirement, insurance, and possible CME reimbursement. This Excepted Service position does not confer competitive status.

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, and unrestricted license to practice optometry in a U.S. state, territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Current registration in the state, territory, Commonwealth, or District of Columbia of licensure, when required to maintain active licensure.
• Successful passage of all parts of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry intended for basic licensure.
• Successful completion of an approved accredited or pre-accredited optometric residency, or two years of licensed clinical optometric practice in the United States involving active management of medically complex patients.
• Experience to perform general optometry duties, including clinical oversight of trainees as needed, and specialized functions and procedures without supervision.
• U.S. citizenship, unless appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy because qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Successful completion of required pre-employment screening, including drug testing, background/security investigation, and physical evaluation.
• Compliance with the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Ability to meet the stated physical requirements, including lifting, carrying, standing, walking, reaching, bending, vision, hearing, color discrimination, and coordination requirements.

Nice To Haves

• At least one year of experience working in an eye clinic.
• Experience using ophthalmology diagnostic and imaging equipment.
• Experience fitting, dispensing, and adjusting eyeglasses.
• Certified Ophthalmic Assistant certification from the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology.

Responsibilities

• Independently practice optometry to the fullest extent of approved clinical privileges.
• Complete patient orders, including laboratory, imaging, pharmacy, prosthetics, referrals, and specialty-care consultations, through the facility’s electronic medical record.
• Provide outpatient and inpatient care.
• Perform routine and complex eye examinations.
• Prescribe medications within the defined scope of optometry practice.
• Educate and counsel patients and families on preventive care, medical conditions, and prescribed treatments and drugs.
• Assist in meeting clinical Performance Measures and Eye Quality Indicators.
• Complete mandatory training, attend required medical center committee meetings, and comply with computer and privacy directives.
• Complete electronic medical records generated through direct patient care, making every attempt to finish them on the day of the encounter.
• Complete administrative duties delegated by the ACOS of Surgical Services.
• Provide clinical oversight of trainees as needed and perform general optometry duties and specialized functions and procedures without supervision.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, and regular salary increases.
• 50–55 days of paid time off per year, including 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays, and possible five-day paid absence for CME.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and 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.
• Possible $1,000 annual CME reimbursement for full-time employees with board certification.
• Free liability protection with tail coverage.
• May be eligible for the Physician/Provider Contract Buy Out Program, subject to eligibility requirements and a minimum four-year obligated service period.

What This Job Offers

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