Supervisory Optometrist

Summary

This position is located at the Hopi Health Center, Polacca, Arizona, Phoenix Area Indian Health Services; Northern Navajo Medical Center, Shiprock New Mexico & Pinon Health Center, Pinon, AZ. Navajo Area Indian Health Service. The incumbent serving as Supervisory Chief of Optometry. Within this role, the incumbent develops, coordinates, and evaluates a comprehensive eye care program for the facility. A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).

Duties

• Diagnosis of visual and ocular problems through external and internal physical evaluation of the eye and adnexa. Treats visual disorder through the prescription of corrective lenses and vision training and pharmacological means. Provides emergency eye care services including diagnosis and treatment of ophthalmic trauma and pathology consistent with hospital clinical privileges. Coordinates medical eye care with other physicians within the health center, when eye disease is concurrent with systematic disease. Responsible for day-to-day supervision and instruction of permanent optometry clinical staff. Additionally, biannual employee performance reviews, position description revisions, monitoring mandatory hospital in service attendance and overseeing the optical dispensary services must be performed. Responsible for overseeing the maintenance schedule of equipment upkeep and for equipment replacement per General Services. Participate in monthly diabetic task force meetings and facilitate quarterly optometry departmental meetings. Responsible for timely and appropriate medical record keeping in compliance with professional, federal and other applicable guidelines. IHS Selectees whose duties and responsibilities require them to work permanently, temporarily, or occasionally in an IHS healthcare facility must comply with the IHS Employee Immunization Policy related to vaccine-preventable diseases, consistent with recommendations for healthcare workers. Vaccine exemption requests may be available, as outlined in the IHS Employee Immunization Policy and facility guidance. The selected individual is required to obtain and maintain medical staff clinical privileges, including any licensure requirements. If privileges are not obtained or maintained during employment, the employee will be subject to adverse actions, up to and including removal from Federal service.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying. 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; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. BASIC REQUIREMENT(S): Education: Applicants must have 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 (NBEO) 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 the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: GS13: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Providing clinical instruction and professional supervision to optometry students, residents, or temporary clinical staff. Serving as a liaison and advisor to other healthcare professionals and administrative personnel regarding patient care and programmatic issues. Responsible for day-to-day supervision and instruction of permanent optometry clinical staff. Coordinating medical eye care with other physicians within the health center, when eye disease is concurrent with systematic disease. Utilizing laboratory and radiology services to evaluate ophthalmic conditions. Treating unusual visual disorders through the application of advanced optometric techniques. Assuring compliance with all accrediting and with the medical staff bylaws, rules and regulations and all Service Unit policies. Diagnosing of visual and ocular problems through evaluation of eye and adnexa. Detecting neuromuscular impairment or anomalies of binocular function. Providing emergency eye care services. Time In Grade Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP). You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Requirements

Selectee may be subject to a probationary period ESEP appointees typically serve a two year trial period U.S. Citizenship is required Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes. A one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period may be required upon selection/placement. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/. You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you. Financial Suitability Requirement: This position requires a review of the applicant's financial history as part of the personnel security and suitability determination. Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility, maintain good standing with creditors, and satisfy all legal financial obligations prior to applying. Individuals with substantial delinquent or unresolved financial obligations-including, but not limited to, delinquent federal or state tax liabilities, defaulted federal student loans, court-ordered fines or fees, or child support arrears-may be deemed unsuitable for employment with the Indian Health Service (IHS). Background Investigation Requirement: This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment. A background investigation is a standard process used by the Federal Government to verify an individual's identity, employment history, education, and other relevant information to determine suitability for Federal service. Upon receipt of instructions, applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance. Timely completion is critical to avoid delays in processing or a determination of unsuitability. Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize this requirement and to maintain regular communication with their assigned Personnel Security Specialist throughout the process. Prior to the appointment, candidates must present two valid forms of identification. If one of the documents is a state-issued ID or driver's license, it must be REAL ID-compliant.

Education

This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www.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

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package. See required documents below. To begin, click the Apply Online button on the vacancy announcement. You will be directed to the Login.Gov screen, here will you sign in if you have an existing USAJOBS account or Create a Login.Gov account. If you have an account you will be directed to select a resume or create a resume. If you create an account you can create an resume. Click save and continue. Follow the prompts to upload your resume and/or supporting documents. Click the Apply To This Vacancy and complete all steps in the application process until the Confirmation indicates your application is complete. If you click Return to USAJOBS or get timed out prior to receiving confirmation, your application will not be submitted and cannot be considered for this job. Read and complete all Eligibility questions. Review the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section of this announcement to determine which apply to you and must be submitted online. You may choose one or more of the following options to submit your document(s): Upload (from your computer) or USAJOBS (click the "USAJOBS" link to complete the transfer process). For additional questions please see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) found here: https://www.ihs.gov/jobs/faq/. The IHS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Human Resources Office (Leishawn Bahe, [email protected], and/or (928) 674-7033.) The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.