Optometrist

Optometrist Position at Batavia VA Medical Center

The Optometrist is charged with delivering the best possible eye care services to our Veteran patients at the Batavia VA Medical Center, Batavia, NY. The Optometrist will perform indicated services for conditions in an out-patient clinical setting, including telemedicine. This care must be delivered in accordance with hospital policy and meet community standards. The Optometrist works within his/her privileges at all times. The Optometrist is expected to maintain current knowledge and skills. She/he must be able to deliver primary eye care throughout the full spectrum of optometry i.e. s/he is expected to maintain good diagnostic and therapeutic acumen. The Optometrist provides both outpatient and inpatient vision services to support the Vision clinic.

The Staff Optometrist at the Vision Clinic at the Batavia VAMC will:

• Provide vision care to all veterans, including those who may be legally blind/visually impaired patients as appropriate. This includes on an out-patient and inpatient basis.
• Prescribing ocular prosthetic devices (spectacles, prisms).
• Manage ocular disease, including: cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, dry eye, ocular emergencies, and other acute or urgent ocular conditions.
• Collaborate regularly with Optometry and Ophthalmology at the Buffalo Eye Clinic as needed for veterans needs and service support.
• Provide consultative reports, as well as refer patients as indicated to primary care physicians, staff, and specialists.
• Provide administrative support to service.
• Timely documentation (notes and encounter forms) is necessary in all areas in accordance with facility policy. All administrative work will be completed in a timely fashion.
• All VA requirements must be met on a timely basis including computer security training, customer service training and cultural/diversity training.
• The staff optometrist demonstrates courtesy and professionalism and a positive attitude toward Veterans, co-workers, and the public.
• The staff optometrist identifies Veteran concerns and applies discernment and sensitivity when performing tasks required to resolve issues accurately and timely. She/he facilitates any necessary follow-up to ensure satisfactory resolution of problems.
• The staff optometrist will utilize computerized programs to enter, modify and retrieve sensitive information in the form of electronic medical records. Patient confidentiality will be always maintained per HIPPA requirements.
• The staff optometrist works in a proficient and self-directed manner to accomplish all clinical and administrative duties.

Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases

Paid Time Off: 50-55 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year and possible 5 day paid absence for CME)

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA

Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)

Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory

CME: Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement (must be full-time with board certification)

Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided

Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentive Approved for this position. Work Schedule: 7:30 AM-4:00pm; alternative scheduling options may be considered