Optometrist

Full Job Description

VA NWIHCS is an integrated system that serves more than 56,000 Veterans in 99 counties in Nebraska, western Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri.

It includes a tertiary medical center in Omaha, two larger clinics in Lincoln and Grand Island, two Community Living Centers, and five community-based outpatient clinics.

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

Optometrist Basic Requirements 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 and Registration.

Optometrists must possess a 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.

The Optometrist must maintain current registration in the state of licensure if this is a requirement for continuing active, current licensure. Residency Training or Comparable Experience.

Optometrists must have successfully completed residency training, approved by the Secretary of VA in an accredited post-graduate training program, or have comparable experience, as described below: (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.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position.

Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Major Duties:

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers.

This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest.

As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran.

This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community.

This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

The VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System seeks a full time outpatient clinical Optometrist.

The Optometrist functions as an independent practitioner exercising initiative and judgement in day-to-day activities.

Duties include but are not limited to the following: Perform eye care and ancillary testing with full exercise of their credentials and clinical privileges.

Considers age of the patient when performing health care as it relates to functional capacity/limitations, ability to understand and follow directions, provide objective self assessment of past medical condition and treatment appropriate to the overall treatment goals and plans.

Enter accurate, complete, timely progress notes for each episode of care into the patient's electronic record.

Demonstrates knowledge and maintains standards in the use of reprocessing of Reusable Medical Equipment(RME).

Responsible for the proper use, maintenance, and calibration of specialized equipment used in the assessment and care of patients.

Adhere to safety, health, and infection control standards, regulations and work practices, as well as ergonomic standards. Report unsafe conditions to supervisor and/or appropriate officials.

Assist in orientation of new staff and will provide patient and family education, including informed consent. Assist with teaching of medical students who rotate through the VANWIHCS.

Work Schedule: Typically, Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm. Additional information will be provided during interview process. Telework: This is not a telework position.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required