The Optometry Service provides care primarily in outpatient settings with limited inpatient care. Optometrists assigned to the Optometry Service provide comprehensive eye care for inpatients and outpatients. The Optometry Section Chief has programmatic responsibility to ensure that both the Section and the Service meet the Hefner VA Healthcare Center's goals and objectives, in particular those benchmarks and performance measures assigned to Optometry Service.
To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement. Applicants pending the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Currently employed physician(s) in VA who met the requirements for appointment under the previous qualification standard at the time of their initial appointment are deemed to have met the basic requirements of the occupation. 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. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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 for the year in which the course of study was completed. Approved schools are: (1) United States and Canadian schools or colleges of optometry listed as accredited by the Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association, in the list published for the year in which the course of study was completed OR (2) Schools (including foreign schools) accepted by the licensing body of a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia as qualifying for full or unrestricted licensure. Licensure - Licensed to practice optometry in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Optometrists are required to possess full and unrestricted licensure and to maintain a current registration in their State of licensure if this is a requirement of the particular State. The facility Director may waive this requirement if the optometrist is to serve in a country other than the United States and the optometrist has licensure in that country. English Language Proficiency - Optometrists appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. Associate Grade. None beyond the basic requirements. Full Grade. Two years of optometric practice or its equivalent. One year of approved residency training or its creditable equivalent acceptable to the Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association is acceptable in lieu of the 2 years of practice. Candidate must have demonstrated the professional competence and performance necessary to provide independently the full range of clinical optometric diagnosis and treatment for all the most prevalent types of vision dysfunctions and the detection and referral of patients with ocular disease or ocular manifestations of systemic disease. Intermediate Grade. Meets all the requirements below:·Four years of optometric practice or its equivalent. One year of approved residency training or its creditable equivalent acceptable to the Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association is acceptable in lieu of 2 years of practice. The optometrist at this level has successfully passed the examinations of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry and has attained either of the following: The stature that would warrant appointment at the clinical instructor or higher level at a school or college of optometry. The professional ability and personal attributes which have merited significant recognition by a recognized professional organization, such as election to a Fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry. Has achieved a high level of professional attainment as illustrated by one or more of the following examples: Is a recognized expert in the diagnosis and treatment of unusual and complicated visual dysfunctions. Typically, in this capacity serves as a consultant to optometrist and other professionals in other health facilities or provides expert clinical services in such areas as the partially sighted or contact lenses for aphasics. Has assumed responsibility for a multi-faceted optometric program including clinical research and/or training requiring a high degree of competence and skill in developing innovative and new and advanced instrumentation and treatment techniques. Typically, the program is in an educationally affiliated health care facility having an optometric training program of moderate scope involving liaison with other medical services and affiliated schools. Has played a significant part in the conduct of vision research in a problem area of considerable scope and complexity which required novel approaches and which resulted in answers to important questions or important changes in existing methods and techniques. Publications authored by the optometrist are of considerable value to others in the individual's field. Typically, overall contributions are recognized by serving on important committees or other bodies in the profession. Has had full responsibility for carrying out an optometric training program of significant size in which the optometrist has been responsible for maintaining liaison with the affiliated school and other educational institutions and professional or scientific organizations. Innovative approaches in development of curriculum and course content and in expanding and improving the educational program have been displayed by the individual. Senior Grade. Meets the requirements for Intermediate grade and the requirements in paragraphs below:·The optometrist at this level possesses such academic stature as would warrant a faculty appointment of a professional level in an approved school or college of optometry. Has demonstrated recognized superior professional attainment as evidenced by one or more of the following examples: Has served as a team leader in attacking major optometric problems affecting the continued provision of quality care health services at a VISN, statewide, or national level. There is such confidence in the optometrist at this level that there is unusual support of the individual's recommendations and conclusions. Has had responsibility for carrying out a major optometric program segment on a national level. Has conducted high level studies in a difficult area of vision research which has contributed to a substantial advance in the health field, with important professional publications. Chief Grade. Meets the requirements for Senior grade and must demonstrate a sustained very high level of professional performance with evidence of exceptional professional and/or administrative development by the following:·Has assumed substantial professional and/or administrative responsibilities in which the individual is expected to fully advise and make professional clinical and educational recommendations as to courses of action on problems and considerations of national scope in all areas of optometry. Typically, the optometrist at this level has had responsibility for a major optometric program segment on a nationwide basis and has been consistently called upon to represent the organization in an authoritative manner in matters dealing with development of new and/or revised concepts and programs having a major impact upon the academic, medical, and optometric communities. Outstanding professional attainment. Examples of such attainment are: Achievement of outstanding results in research which are regarded as having a major impact on advancing the field. Significant number of noteworthy publications in professional journals.
General Description: The Optometry Service is based at the W.G. Hefner VA Healthcare System in Salisbury, North Carolina and serves affiliated VA clinics (e.g., Charlotte, Kernersville or Salisbury). The Advanced Low Vision Section includes the Advanced Low Vision Clinic - based at the VA Salisbury VA Medical Center - as well as Basic Low Vision clinical programs at all clinics affiliated with the Hefner VA Medical Center. Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST) Coordinator positions, that serve blind and visually impaired veterans enrolled at all Hefner VA clinical sites, and a Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist (BROS) also are organizationally assigned to the Advanced Low Vision Section, Optometry Service. Functions: The Section Chief is a "working chief" position and functions in various roles including: Clinical Care: - Provides quality patient care to outpatients and inpatients as assigned. - Keeps informed of developments in the management and treatment of diseases and illness through continuing medical education, both formal and informal. - Successfully integrates patient care activities in Optometry Section/Service and other patient care programs of the VA healthcare system and in the community. - Consistently demonstrates expertise in diagnosing and treating seriously ill, multi-symptomatic patients. - Revises work schedules and assignments on short notice to meet frequent, abrupt, and unpredictable changes in prescribed workloads and deadlines to meet performance targets. - Participates in multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary activities involving treatment plan and discharge of patients. - Participates as a peer reviewer when requested - Provides other clinical services as assigned consistent with clinical privileges Administrative-Supervisory: - Assign work to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of difficulty and requirements for assignments, and the a capabilities of employees - Evaluate work performances of subordinates - Give advice, counsel, or instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters - Hear and resolve complaints from employees, referring group grievances and more serious unresolved complaints to a higher level supervisor or manager - Effect minor disciplinary measures, such as warnings and reprimands, recommending other action in more serious cases - Identify developmental and training needs of employees, providing or arranging for needed development and training - Find ways to improve production or increase the quality of the work directed. - Participates and attends VA healthcare system committees as assigned by the Chief or Assistant Chief of Optometry Service - Assists Service Chief and Assistant Service Chief to supervise Advanced Low Vision clinic, VIST and BROS programs and interacts with out-patient clinic administrations to develop and coordinate local VISN and System-wide programs. - Selects/Recommends new staff based on a performance based selection process. - Participates in various facility programs designed to enhance and improve the delivery of patient care services such as Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) teams, CARF, The Joint Commission, etc. - The incumbent may have access to the Veteran Health Information Systems (CPRS, VistA, etc.) and various VA databases and dashboards (VSSC, RAMP, Pyramid Analytics, etc); and may supervise individuals who have access to the scheduling package, and are responsible to: o Follow all local and VHA policies and procedures (e.g., VHA Dir 2006-055) dealing with access and utilization of the Scheduling Package and Advanced Clinic Access. o Assure that the VistA Scheduling Package is used to schedule all outpatient clinic appointments (including appointments made for clinic visits or consultations for medical, surgical, dental, psychiatric, home care, and diagnostic procedures). o Assure that informal patient appointment scheduling systems are not used. and that no wait lists or informal systems are used for clinical services. Academic: - Provides guidance and supervision for optometry residents and optometry externs assigned to - Optometry Service as outlined in VHA Handbook 1400.1, "Resident Supervision" and applicable Optometry Service-Level Policy. - Participates in the formal education of the residents, optometry externs, and other trainees by presenting teaching rounds, lectures, conferences, etc. - Assists in the development and implementation of education and training programs for optometry externs and residents and trainees in blind rehabilitation disciplines as assigned by Chief or Assistant Chief, Optometry Service. Research: - Supports the VA healthcare system-wide research mission. - Assists in conducting studies regarding treatment modalities, and other outcomes as appropriate. Work Schedule: Compressed, TBD by the service. Financial Discloser Report: Not required Functional Statement: FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT SECTION CHIEF, ADVANCED LOW VISION, VP15