Optometrist

Duties
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• Serve as a professional clinical optometrist within Medical Treatment Facilities (MTF) for the Defense Health Agency (DHA), including Warfighter Refractive Surgery Centers, vision centers, and eye clinics.
• Support DoD workforce readiness and the provision of diagnostic and preventive care services provided in a highly specialized area of optometry, specifically that of military clinical management and the delivery of expert military vision care.
• Serves as a primary care provider for patients seeking ocular/vision care and is an essential member of the interdisciplinary military medical team.
• Provide comprehensive professional optometric services to active-duty military personnel, military families, and other eligible beneficiaries.
• Independently apply advanced technology, neuro-visual testing and traditional evaluation methods.
• Performs military vision screening and determines fitness for military duties, including accession for military services, qualification for special military duties, and fitness for military duty after eye injury or surgery.
• Determines the accommodative, refractive and binocular status of the eyes, and scope of visual function in general to determine the proper applications of lenses to accommodate patients' needs.
• Diagnoses and manages vision clarity problems.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• All applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• This position is subject to a pre-employment screening, and random drug testing, to include testing based on reasonable suspicion and testing due to direct involvement with an on-duty accident.
• This position requires that you obtain and maintain a Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from, or in accordance with, the American Heart Association and American Red Cross. Advanced certification (e.g., ALS) does not supersede BLS.
• One year trial/probationary may be required.
• This position requires the incumbent be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Secret security clearance or access for the duration of employment. A background investigation and credit check are required.
• This position has specific initial background investigation and periodic re-verification requirements since its duties require interaction with children and youth under the age of eighteen (18) years of age on a recurring basis.
• Immunization screening is required. Hepatitis B immunization is required for all positions with direct patient contact. Applicants may be required to show proof of other immunizations depending on the type of position.
• This position has mandatory seasonal Influenza vaccination requirements and is subject to annual seasonal Influenza vaccinations unless otherwise exempted for medical or religious reasons (documentation of exemption must be provided upon hire).
• This position requires the incumbent to have Tuberculosis testing.
• This position has been designated Mission Essential. In the event of severe weather conditions or other such emergency type situations, the incumbent is required to report to work or remain at work as scheduled to support mission operations.
• Moderate to heavy lifting up to 50 pounds may be required.
• This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and an annual examination thereafter to ensure the continued, required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below. 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; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document .

Basic Requirements for Optometrist (Clinical):

Degree: 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 (NEBO) 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 meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

Experience: One year of professional experience as an optometrist which includes examining patients, diagnosing visual disorders and/or diseases, and identifying treatment. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11).

OR

Residency: One year completion of a residency program in an institution accredited for such training.

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

Education

See Education Requirements Above

Additional information

• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• One year trial/probationary period may be required.
• Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
• Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
• Recruitment or relocation incentives MAY be authorized for highly qualified candidates.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information.
• If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
• Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.
• This is a Flyer Announcement - Resume, Transcripts, Licenses and Certificates need to be emailed to LCDR Kantar @ michael.kantar.mil@health.mil.