Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.
Required Education:
MD
Internal Number: 11802604
The Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks, in Springfield, MO, is seeking a full-time, board certified, Optometrist. Preferred candidate possesses excellent communication skills and has completed an Optometry Residency Program. We are fully committed to providing top quality medical care by serving and honoring America’s Veterans.
Candidates must possess an OD from an accredited institution, have completed residency training leading to board eligibility/certification, and possess an active, current, unrestricted license in any U.S. State.
Highlights of this opportunity:
Potential starting base salary range: $82,830-$151,308K
Permanent full-time position
Daily schedule, Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm
Duties will be performed in the Eye Clinic at Springfield, Missouri, Veterans Healthcare System of the Ozarks
Provide comprehensive eye care services as well as follow-up care of existing conditions and management of emergency conditions.
Examination of the human eye to diagnose and treat abnormal conditions of the human eye or adnexa.
Prescribing of lenses, devices containing lenses, prisms, contact lenses, orthotics, vision training, pharmaceutical agents, and prosthetic devices to correct, relieve or treat defects or abnormal conditions or the human eye or its adnexa.
VA offers an exceptional benefits package for physicians, including up to 55 days off annually, affordable health, life, vision, dental, and long-term care insurance, up to 12 weeks of paid paternity/maternity leave, malpractice insurance that includes tail coverage, and more. Working for federal employers allows you to apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness after 10 years of service.
Don’t miss this chance to join our team and serve those who have served us! #WorkatVA
Springfield is beautiful smaller city. There are so many great adventures and fun things to do in and around Springfield. If you love the outdoors then you love the opportunities to fish, golf, hike, ski, boat, canoe, kayak, camp, bike, cave exploration just name a few. Springfield is home to the Springfield Cardinals (St. Louis Cardinals minor league team). There is an aquarium and several museums and botanical gardens. Springfield is home to the World’s largest fork. By being part of the Veterans Healthcare of the Ozarks, you will have time to spend time with your family and explore all the amazing things that Springfield has to offer.
Conditions of Employment
U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
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.
You may be required to serve a probationary period.
Subject to a background/security investigation.
Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
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).
Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Personnel.
Must possess and maintain all required licensures and certifications.
Qualifications
Basic Requirements:
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 for the year in which the course of study was completed. Approved schools are:(1) United States and Canadian schools or colleges of optometry listed as accredited by the Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association, in the list published for the year in which the course of study was completed.(2) Schools (including foreign schools) accepted by the licensing body of a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia as qualifying for full or unrestricted licensure.
Licensure or Registration: Licensed to practice optometry in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Optometrists are required to possess full and unrestricted licensure and to maintain a current registration in their State of licensure if this is a requirement of the particular State. The facility Director may waive this requirement if the optometrist is to serve in a country other than the United States and the optometrist has licensure in that country.
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).
Must have Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. Note: Copy of current certification must be provided prior to establishing entry on duty date.
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.