Optometrist

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy & submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Duties

• The optometrist provides diagnosis - treatment - and management of diabetic retinopathy - glaucoma - macular degeneration - and other eye diseases
• provision of refractions for eyeglass prescriptions - eyeglasses - medically necessary contact lenses - as well as low-vision and brain injury vision rehabilitation services
• This position provides support of the day-to-day activities of the Eye Clinic
• Incumbent will provide care as delineated in the clinical privilege list for Optometrists
• The clinician will conduct primary ocular health examinations including dilated eye exams for diabetic eye care - glaucoma - macular degeneration and other related conditions prevalent in a hospital based eye clinic
• The clinician must be adept at managing these conditions with appropriate therapeutic intervention and/or referral protocols
• Primary eye and vision care services consist of: prescribing and ordering eyeglasses - ordering diagnostic imaging and laboratory studies
• preparing referrals for diagnosis - treatment - and management of systemic and ocular conditions revealed through optometric examination
• patient and family health education
• Components of primary optometric eye and vision care include: Emergency care (evaluating/managing/triaging emergent - not-surgical eye conditions)
• Problem-oriented care (managing patients referred with complaints of typical routine disorders)
• Preventive health services (performing mandated examinations such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma screenings)
• Clinical procedures employed include: medical and ocular history
• visual acuity measurement
• pupillary function testing
• color vision testing
• extraocular muscle function and binocularity testing
• refractive and accommodative testing
• external examination of the eye and adnexal structures
• biomicroscopic evaluation of the ocular adnexa - anterior - and/or posterior segments of the eye - including gonioscopic and fundus lens evaluation
• ophthalmoscopic - tonometric - and perimetric evaluations
• 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 Oklahoma City VA HCS
• Other duties as assigned
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Eligible for highly qualified candidates Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Authorized
• Learn more
• Pay: Competitive salary - annual performance bonus - 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 and possible 5 day paid absence for CME) 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 CME: Possible $1 -000 per year reimbursement (must be full-time with board certification) Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting Contract Buy Out Program: This position may be eligible for the Physician / Provider Contract Buy Out Program (CBOP) - which authorizes VHA to buy out service contracts (Locum agreements - loan repayments - sign-on bonus contracts - Physician-owned practices) in exchange for employment at certain rural or highly rural facilities for a period of obligated service (minimum 4 years)
• For additional information and eligibility requirements - contact the VHA Contract Buy Out Program Manager at [email protected]
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:00am-4:30pm