Lead Optometrist

Full Job Description

This position is located in the JVN national teleophthalmology program at Phoenix Indian Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ.

The lead optometrist assists the Director in overseeing the reading center component of the program in order to provide comprehensive primary diabetic retinopathy telemedicine services using photographic images from nation-wide imaging sites.

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying.

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; religious; spiritual; community; social).

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience.

You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

BASIC REQUIREMENT(S), GS-0662: Education: Applicants must have a Doctor of Optometry degree from an educational program that is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) at the time the degree was obtained.

Licensure: Applicants must have received a passing score on the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) examinations and possess a current, full, and unrestricted license to practice optometry in a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States.

In addition to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, GS-13: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of professional experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: At least one year of experience in Teleophthalmology - specifically with Diabetic Retinopathy screening, diagnosis and recommendations.

Experience in interpretation of telemedicine images of external and ocular adnexa.

Experience includes diagnoses and recommendation of treatment for a wide range of eye diseases via Teleophthalmology images including but not limited to diabetic retinopathy, hypertensive retinopathy and glaucoma and retinal diseases.

Experience providing technical oversight and guidance to clinical staff, ensuring th equality and accuracy of image intepretation.

Time In Grade Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level.

Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP). You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Major Duties:

Diagnose and recommend treatment of a wide range of eye diseases via Teleophthalmology images to include but not limited to diabetic retinopathy, hypertensive retinopathy, glaucoma and retinal diseases, diagnose and make recommendations for referrals and follow-up.

Facilitate the management of related systemic condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and rheumatologic conditions. Interpretation of telemedicine images of the external and ocular adnexa.

Interpretation of telemedicine images of the retina. Ophthalmic telephone-consultation for urgent and emergent diagnoses.

Serves on nationally recognized team, assisting in conducting Teleophthalmology research that is published in nationally recognized journals.

Coaches the team in the selection and application of appropriate problem solving methods and techniques, provide advice on work methods, practices and procedures, and assist the team and/or individual members in identifying the parameters of a viable solution.

Leads in identifying, distributing and balancing workload and tasks among employees in accordance with established work flow, skill level and/or occupational specialization; making adjustments to accomplish the workload in accordance with established priorities to ensure timely accomplishment of assigned team tasks; and ensuring that each employee has an integral role in developing the final team product.

Assists supervisor in executing research projects pertinent to the National IHS-JVN Teleophthalmology program which publishes research in national scientific journals.

Participates in research meetings. Assists with intake and inventory of equipment and deployment of IHS-JVN equipment to include software, retinal cameras for new JVN sites.

Diagnose and make recommendations for referrals and follow-up for diabetic retinopathy via Teleophthalmology images.

Identify other retinal conditions including, but not limited to, hypertensive retinopathy, glaucoma, vascular and inflammatory retinal conditions Oversees the imager training program.

Responsible for scheduling and training of IHS/Tribal/Urban clinic staff who travel to the national training center for image acquisition training.

Serves as a liaison for trained imagers and assists with troubleshooting for image acquisition issues. Writes and distributes a quarterly newsletter to image acquisition specialists.