Optometrist

Overview

Summary The Mobile Eye Clinic at the Bristol - VA CBOC Optometrist functions as an independent provider of primary eye care. The optometrist provides ocular evaluation as part of the health services of the hospital. The mobile clinic comprises a self-sufficient clinic for routine, chronic, and emergent care. There is a technician work‑up space and an exam lane for the optometrist.

To qualify for this position you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements listed in the job announcement. Applicants pending the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Currently employed VA physicians who met the requirements for appointment under the previous qualification standard at the time of their initial appointment are deemed to have met the basic requirements of the occupation.

• United States Citizenship:
  Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Degree:
  Doctor of Optometry with a course of education in optometry
• The degree must have been obtained from schools approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the year completed
• Approved schools include U.S. and Canadian schools or colleges of optometry listed as accredited by the Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association for the year completed
• Schools (including foreign schools) accepted by the licensing body of a State/ Territory/ Commonwealth for full licensure
• Licensure:
  Current full and unrestricted license to practice optometry in a State/ Territory/ Commonwealth or District of Columbia
• Optometrists must possess full and unrestricted licensure and maintain a current registration if required by the State
• Residency Training or Comparable
  
  Experience:
  
  Must have completed residency training approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs or have comparable experience (e.g., two years of licensed clinical optometric practice)
• English Proficiency:
  Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Grade/Experience Criteria:
  See qualification standards for grade assignment;
  Attending Optometrist and other specialty roles have additional criteria
• Physical Requirements:
  
  Must meet the physical requirements of the position, including light lifting, walking/standing, near vision and color vision requirements

• Provide primary eye care for patients to promote ocular health
• Review systemic diseases that can affect ocular systems
• Deliver care primarily in an outpatient eye clinic setting with potential limited inpatient involvement
• Assess visual function using multiple techniques and review systemic disease history to determine ocular impact
• Prescribe visual aids (glasses) and prescribe topical/systemic pharmaceuticals to manage ocular conditions
• Work as an independent medical provider under own licensure with possible use of ancillary testing (e.g., visual fields, OCT, fundus photography) as needed
• Provide consultations to proper specialty care providers for secondary treatment when necessary and perform post-operative follow-up where applicable
• Provide supervision to student interns and optometry residents when applicable
• Collaborate effectively with internal and external customers and comply with applicable policies and continuing education requirements