Staff Optometrist

Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Establishes the Quality Management guidelines for the position of Staff Optometrist at the Orlando Veterans Affairs Heath Care System (OVAHCS).
• The incumbent reports directly to the Chief Optometry Service is responsible for providing ophthalmic services to eligible veterans.
• The incumbent practices in the Optometry Section of the Surgery Service.
• The incumbent will be responsible for performing procedures that require an optometrist.
• The incumbent will provide special training and expertise in optometric procedures.
• Training includes but is not limited to routine eye low vision as well as contact lens examinations.

• All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

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: Must be a US Citizen.
• 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 or Registration. Active full and unrestricted license to practice optometry in a State Territory or Commonwealth of the United States or in the District of Columbia; and to maintain a current registration in your State of licensure if this is a requirement of the particular State.
• English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d) optometrists appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English..

• Residency-trained with 4 years or more experience.

• Staff Optometrist. None beyond the basic requirements. The individual must possess the experience to perform general optometry duties including clinical oversight of trainees as needed and some specialized functions and procedures without supervision.