Supervisory Optometrist

Indian Health Service • Chinle, AZ

3d

About The Position

This leadership role provides comprehensive eye care services, oversees clinical operations, and promotes quality patient outcomes. The Supervisory Optometrist helps advance ocular health and improve access to care while leading a team serving Native American communities. A REAL ID-compliant identification document is required in accordance with federal requirements.

The position provides direct optometry patient care, including eye examinations and diagnosis of visual and ocular problems through external and internal evaluation of the eye. It also provides emergency care for ophthalmic trauma and pathology consistent with the clinic’s services; coordinates medical eye care with clinic physicians and referred care when necessary; and assists with screening, school, and diabetic retinopathy programs. The role directly supervises and directs the Optometry Department, including optometrists and health technicians, and handles performance evaluations, recruitment, budgeting, and departmental policies and procedures.

The position requires a Doctor of Optometry degree from an ACOE-accredited program, passing NBEO examination scores, and a current, full, unrestricted optometry license in an eligible U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants must also have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower federal grade level. The position requires obtaining and maintaining medical staff clinical privileges and compliance with the IHS Employee Immunization Policy, subject to applicable exemption procedures. On-call hours, nights, or weekends may be required.

Requirements

• Doctor of Optometry degree from a program accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) when the degree was obtained.
• Passing score on the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) examinations.
• Current, full, and unrestricted license to practice optometry in a U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or a U.S. territory.
• At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in federal service. Examples include providing technical guidance to optometry staff; reviewing or revising policies and procedures; assisting with quality assurance; diagnosing, managing, and treating eye and visual-system conditions; prescribing corrective lenses and therapeutic drugs; and operating optometric diagnostic and treatment equipment.
• Meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the announcement closing date.
• Comply with the IHS Employee Immunization Policy for vaccine-preventable diseases, subject to applicable exemption procedures.
• Obtain and maintain medical staff clinical privileges, including licensure requirements.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Successfully pass E-Verify and a federal background investigation; complete required investigation forms within five calendar days of issuance.
• Meet the financial suitability requirements described in the posting.
• Present two valid forms of identification before appointment; any state-issued ID or driver's license used must be REAL ID-compliant.
• Submit a resume demonstrating qualifying experience and education, with duties, responsibilities, and hours per week identified.

Nice To Haves

• Unofficial transcripts or a list of courses, credit hours, and grades are encouraged with the application; official transcripts are required from selectees before an official offer.
• Directly related prior non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service may be considered for credit in determining annual-leave accrual, if offered by IHS.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct optometry care, including examinations and diagnosis of visual and ocular problems through external and internal evaluation of the eye.
• Provide emergency care, including diagnosis and treatment of ophthalmic trauma and pathology consistent with clinical services.
• Coordinate medical eye care with other physicians within the clinic and coordinate referred care when necessary.
• Assist with screening programs, school programs, and diabetic retinopathy services.
• Directly supervise and provide direction to the Optometry Department, including optometrists and health technicians.
• Conduct performance evaluations and support recruitment, budgeting, and development of departmental policies and procedures.
• Obtain and maintain medical staff clinical privileges and required licensure.

Benefits

• Federal annual leave accrual of 4, 6, or 8 hours per pay period based on federal service.
• Newly appointed federal employees may be credited for directly related previous non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual-leave accrual.
• Recruitment or relocation incentives and/or permanent change of station may be authorized, subject to availability and service-unit approval; an offered incentive requires a service agreement.
• Potential eligibility for separate student loan repayment programs through IHS, NHSC, or HRSA, subject to program criteria, agency hiring priorities, and funding availability.

What This Job Offers

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