Qualifications

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 (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 or 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, Two years of licensed clinical optometric practice in the United States consisting of active involvement in the management of medically complex patients
• NOTE: The Approving Official may approve, under unusual circumstances, a waiver of residency or comparable experience
• 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
• Preferred Experience: Low vision and contact lens fitting, residency trained
• OPTOMETRIST STAFF REQUIREMENTS: In addition to the basic requirements above, all applicants must meet the following staff requirement to qualify for this position: Staff Optometrist
• None beyond the basic requirements
• You must possess the experience to perform general optometry duties, including clinical oversight of trainees as needed, and some specialized functions and procedures without supervision
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Must pass a pre-employment physical examination as required by VA Handbook 5019
• This examination is administered by VA Occupational Health
• This position requires moderate lifting up to 44 lbs., carrying objects up to 15 lbs., frequent reaching, use of hands and fingers, use of cranes and motor vehicles, walking, standing, bending and climbing
• The incumbent must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of this position without hazard to themselves or others.