Optometrist

Summary

This position is located at the Sioux City Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Union County, SD. This is an open continuous announcement. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred until filled.

Duties

• 1. Provide care of the Veterans' medical needs by performing routine eye care. Responsibilities include performing routine eye care, including eye examinations, diagnoses, treatment, and management of diseases and disorders of the visual system, the eye, and associated structures, as well as diagnoses-related systemic conditions. The incumbent conducts diagnostic evaluations of visual disorders, including but not limited to diabetic eye disease, glaucoma, cataracts, and routine eye examinations. Provides ongoing patient and family education throughout the course of treatment. 2. The incumbent is responsible for entering accurate, complete, timely progress notes for each episode of care into the patient's electronic record. This is accomplished by utilizing the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS). 3. The incumbent is responsible for the proper use, maintenance, and calibration of specialized equipment used in the assessment and care of patients. They demonstrate knowledge and maintains standards in the use and reprocessing of Reusable Medical Equipment (RME). 4. The incumbent assists in orientation of new staff and will provide patient and family education, including informed consent. 5. The incumbent adheres to safety, health, and infection control standards, regulations and work practices, as well as ergonomic standards. They report any unsafe conditions to supervisor and/or appropriate officials. 6. The Optometrist is expected to participate in performance improvement activities, disaster preparedness, administrative duties, and other responsibilities assigned by the SSC SL Director. 7. 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. 8. Diagnose and treats glaucoma. 9. Diagnose and coordinate treatment of diabetic retinopathy. 10. Diagnose and manage macular degeneration. 11. Pre and post-operative care of cataract surgery patients. 12. Emergent eye care. 13. Integrate care with other medical specialties. 14. Current BLS certification is required. Work Schedule: Mon - Fri 8:00am - 4:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.

Qualifications

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 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) 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 (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/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: 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Requirements

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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's 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 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.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

How to apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/30/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13003316. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.