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.

In addition to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet one of the following requirements: One year completion of a residency program in an institution accredited for such training; or One year of professional experience as an optometrist that is equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level.

Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Experience in medical-based optometry includes the diagnosis and management of ammetropias, ocular infections, ocular inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, dry eye conditions, glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, ocular trauma and binocular dysfunctions; and operating optometric diagnostic and treatment instruments and equipment.

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.

Major Duties:

Serve as an independent primary eye care provider, performing the full scope of professional optometric physician duties.

Examine, diagnose, and treat diseases and disorders of the visual system, eyes, and associated structures.

Diagnose and manage a broad range of ocular diseases, including cataracts, glaucoma, and ocular manifestations of systemic conditions (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disease, STDs, rheumatologic disorders).

Provide comprehensive primary eye care with an emphasis on chronic, complex, and medically fragile patients, particularly the elderly.

Perform comprehensive ocular examinations, including detection of neuromuscular impairments and binocular vision anomalies.

Prescribe corrective lenses (including contact lenses), vision therapy, and pharmacologic treatments. Apply advanced optometric techniques to diagnose and manage unusual or complex ocular conditions.

Administer authorized topical ophthalmic medications and oral pharmaceuticals.

Perform minor surgical procedures, including anterior segment foreign body removal, corneal debridement, and suture removal. Deliver emergency ocular care in both outpatient and inpatient settings.

Independently manage complex ocular medical conditions and coordinate consultation and co-management with ophthalmology as needed.

Advise and collaborate with medical staff on ocular conditions, vision testing interpretation, and integration of eye care into comprehensive patient treatment plans.

Maintain current knowledge of evidence-based practices, emerging technologies, and new biomedical devices to ensure high-quality patient care.