Optometrist (Section Chief)

Summary

The Optometry Service provides care primarily in outpatient settings with limited inpatient care. Optometrists assigned to the Optometry Service provide comprehensive eye care for inpatients and outpatients. The Optometry Section Chief has programmatic responsibility to ensure that both the Section and the Service meet the SBYVAHCS goals and objectives, in particular those benchmarks and performance measures assigned to Optometry Service.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

03/22/2024 to 04/08/2024

• Salary

$121,746 - $221,900 per year

• Pay scale & grade

AD 13 - 15

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Charlotte, NC 1 vacancy

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

25% or less

• You may be expected to travel for this position.

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent -

• Work schedule

Full-time

• Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm, compressed tour TBD

• Service

Competitive

• Promotion potential

None

• Job family (Series)

0662 Optometrist

• Supervisory status

Yes

• Security clearance

Other

• Drug test

Yes

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Credentialing

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CBTA-12360988-24-TD

• Control number

783198400

Help

This job is open to

• Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.

Clarification from the agency

Current Salisbury, Charlotte, and Kernersville employees will be given first consideration. (MUST provide most recent SF-50)

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Duties

The Section Chief is a "working chief" position and functions in various roles including:

Clinical:

• Ensures the most effective delivery of eye care while meeting or exceeding compliance standards.

• Provides quality patient care to outpatients and inpatients as assigned.

• Keeps informed of developments in the management and treatment of diseases and illness through continuing medical education, both formal and informal.

• Responsible for the provision of diagnostic, preventative, and therapeutic optometric services to patients by having regularly scheduled clinics.

• Contributes to teaching and supervising of students and/or residents.

• Integrates eye care service with other professionals in the eye care setting.

• Assists in administrative functions of the Eye Clinic to include development of plans and procedures to enhance eye care delivery and management of personnel issues for the optometry team.

• Serves as an effective team member in committees at a facility level.

• Ensures productivity is maintained at the established level.

• Maintains consistently courteous, respectful, and cooperative relationships with management, co-workers, patients, and the general public to effectively implement the organization's mission and goals.

• Successfully integrates patient care activities in Optometry Section/Service and other patient care programs of the medical center and in the community.

• Protects sensitive data under the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws and federal regulations.

• Performs other directly related duties, as assigned.

• Provides other clinical services and duties as assigned consistent with clinical privileges.

• Consistently demonstrates expertise in diagnosing and treating seriously ill, multi-symptomatic patients.

Administrative:

• Assign work to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of requirements for assignments, and the capabilities of employees.

• Evaluate work performances of subordinates.

• Give advice, counsel, or instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters.

• Hear and resolve complaints from employees, referring group grievances and more serious unresolved complaints to a higher-level supervisor or manager.

• Effect minor disciplinary measures, such as warnings and reprimands, recommending other action in more serious cases.

• Identify developmental and training needs of employees, providing or arranging for needed development and training.

• Find ways to improve production or increase the quality of the work directed.

• Participates and attends medical center committees as assigned by the Chief of Optometry Service

• Develops, implements, and oversees eye care programs in the Optometry Section (i.e., eye clinics, low vision/blind rehabilitation, tele-retinal imaging/TECS, optometric education, and approved research) under direction of the Chief and Assistant Service Chief of Optometry Service and in coordination with out-patient clinic administration.

• Selects/Recommends new staff based on a performance-based selection process.

• Participates in various facility programs designed to enhance and improve the delivery of patient care services such as Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) teams.

• The incumbent may have access to the Veteran Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA) Scheduling Package or supervise an individual who has access, and is responsible. to.

• Follow all local and VHA policies and procedures (e.g., VHA Directive 2006-055) dealing with access and utilization of the Scheduling Package and Advanced Clinic Access.

• Complete all mandatory training and assessments. o Assure that the VistA Scheduling Package is used to schedule all outpatient clinic appointments (including appointments made for clinic visits or consultations for medical, surgical, dental, psychiatric, home care, and diagnostic procedures).

• Assure that informal patient appointment scheduling systems are not used.

• Assure that only the approved VistA Electronic Wait List program is used for clinics having backlogs. No other wait lists or informal system is used for clinical services.

Pay: Competitive salary, and regular salary increases

Paid Time Off: 50-55 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA

Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)

Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory

Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided

Contract: No Provider Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting

Work Schedule: Mon-Fri, 8am until 4:30pm

Virtual: This is NOT a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: NOT authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: NOT required

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.

• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.

• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.

• You may be required to serve a probationary period.

• Subject to background/security investigation.

• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.

• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) 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 optometrist in VA 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.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship

• 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 for the year in which the course of study was completed. Approved schools are:

(1) United States and Canadian schools or colleges of optometry listed as accredited by the Council On Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association, in the list published for the year in which the course of study was completed.(2) Schools (including foreign schools) accepted by the licensing body of a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia as qualifying for full or unrestricted licensure.

• Licensed to practice optometry in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Optometrists are required to possess full and unrestricted licensure and to maintain a current registration in their State of licensure if this is a requirement of the particular State. The facility Director may waive this requirement if the optometrist is to serve in a country other than the United States and the optometrist has licensure in that country.

• Proficiency in spoken and written English.

Drug Testing Position:

In accordance with criteria contained in Executive Order 12564, this position has been determined as "sensitive" for drug testing purposes. VA employees in positions involving law enforcement, national security, the protection of life and property, public health or safety, or other functions requiring a high degree of trust and confidence, will be designated as subject to drug testing.

Preferred Experience:

• VA, Federal or previous VA/Federal government Optometry experience preferred.

Grade Determinations:

Associate Grade. None beyond the basic requirements.

Full Grade. Two years of optometric practice or its equivalent. One year of approved residency training or its creditable equivalent acceptable to the Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association is acceptable in lieu of the 2 years of practice. Candidate must have demonstrated the professional competence and performance necessary to provide independently the full range of clinical optometric diagnosis and treatment for all the most prevalent types of vision dysfunctions and the detection and referral of patients with ocular disease or ocular manifestations of systemic disease.

Intermediate Grade. Meets the requirements in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) below:(1) Four years of optometric practice or its equivalent. One year of approved residency training or its creditable equivalent acceptable to the Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association is acceptable in lieu of 2 years of practice.(2) The optometrist at this level has successfully passed the examinations of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry(3) Has achieved a high level of professional attainment.

Senior Grade. Meets the requirements for Intermediate grade and the requirements in paragraphs (1) and (2) below:(1) The optometrist at this level possesses such academic stature as would warrant a faculty appointment of a professional level in an approved school or college of optometry.(2) Has demonstrated recognized superior professional attainment.

Chief Grade. Meets the requirements for Senior grade and must demonstrate a sustained very high level of professional performance with evidence of exceptional professional and/or administrative development by the following:(1) Has assumed substantial professional and/or administrative responsibilities in which the individual is expected to fully advise and make professional clinical and educational recommendations as to courses of action on problems and considerations of national scope in all areas of optometry. Typically, the optometrist at this level has had responsibility for a major optometric program segment on a nationwide basis and has been consistently called upon to represent the organization in an authoritative manner in matters dealing with development of new and/or revised concepts and programs having a major impact upon the academic, medical, and optometric communities.(2) Outstanding professional attainment. Examples of such attainment are:(a) Achievement of outstanding results in research which are regarded as having a major impact on advancing the field.(b) Significant number of noteworthy publications in professional journals.

Reference: See VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G5: OPTOMETRIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

Physical Requirements: The Physical Requirements of this position are concerned with the mental and physical ability of the applicant to satisfactorily perform the duties of the proposed assignment and may include requisite laboratory and other screening as required by Federal regulatory agencies. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Financial Disclosure Report:Not required

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

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• Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: A formal pay-setting process will be used to determine your salary. The salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.