Optometrist

Full Job Description

Join a team where your expertise in optometry directly improves lives and strengthens communities.

This is more than a job-it's an opportunity to deliver high-quality, patient-centered eye care while making a lasting impact every day.

USAJOBS Help Center - Update your resume now so it meets new resume requirements Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized. At least a 6 month service agreement will be required.

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): 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.

Basic Requirements for the GS-11 (or equivalent) Grade Level: Applicants who meet the above basic requirements qualify for GS-11 grade level.

The Hiring Manager/Selecting Official may elect to utilize an available flexibility wherein applicants who are currently enrolled and expected to complete the required education and obtain the required licensure/certification/registration within 9 month(s) of applying, may be deemed tentatively qualified.

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). Major Duties:

Function as an independent provider for routine and moderately complex eye care, referring unusual or advanced cases for consultation.

Diagnose and treat visual and ocular conditions through comprehensive external and internal eye examinations. Detect neuromuscular impairments and binocular vision anomalies.

Prescribe corrective lenses (including contact lenses), vision therapy, and authorized pharmacologic treatments. Administer topical ophthalmic and oral medications as permitted by state licensure.

Perform minor surgical procedures, including foreign body removal, corneal debridement, and suture removal. Coordinate referrals for urgent or emergent ocular conditions.

Provide emergency eye care services in outpatient settings. Independently manage common ocular diseases and systemic conditions with ocular manifestations, referring complex cases to specialty care.

Serve as a consultant to other healthcare professionals regarding ocular findings and vision assessment.

Conduct vision screenings for schools, Head Start programs, and patients at risk for diabetic retinopathy. Provide patient and community education on eye health and vision safety.