Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Must be a US Citizen
• Education: Degree of Doctor of Optometry resulting from a course of education in optometry
• The degree must have been obtained from one of the schools or colleges approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) for the year in which the course of study was completed
• Approved schools are United States and Canadian schools or colleges of optometry listed as accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE), in the list published for the year in which the course of study was completed
• Licensure or Registration: Current, full and unrestricted license to practice optometry, and maintain a current registration in a state, territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia that requires successful passage of all parts of National Board of Examiners in Optometry intended for basic licensure
• Residency Training or Comparable Experience: Successful completion of residency training, approved by the Secretary of VA in an accredited post-graduate training program, or have comparable experience, as described: (1) Approved residencies are those with accredited or within pre-accredited status by the ACOE, in the list published for the year the residency was completed
• OR (2) Two years of licensed clinical optometric practice in the United States consisting of active involvement in the management of medically complex patients
• Staff Requirements: In addition to the basic requirements above, all applicants must meet the following staff requirement to qualify for this position: Leadership/Manager
• An Optometrist in a leadership position must demonstrate the following: (1) Outstanding professional ability in the practice of optometry and healthcare administration
• (2) The ability to guide the development and implementation of programs within their respective domain, to include but not limited to, optometry practice, professional standards, personnel issues, quality and performance improvement
• & (3) Effectiveness in coordinating and managing interdisciplinary collaboration with both internal and external stakeholders to optimize the care of patients under their purview
• Preferred Experience: Low Vision and Contact Lens fitting preferred Previous supervisory role preferred Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Must pass a pre-employment physical examination as required by VA Handbook 5019
• This examination is administered by VA Occupational Health
• This position requires moderate lifting up to 44 lbs., carrying objects up to 15 lbs., frequent reaching, use of hands and fingers, use of cranes and motor vehicles, walking, standing, bending and climbing
• The incumbent must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of this position without hazard to themselves or others.