Optometrist

We are seeking a highly skilled Optometrist to join our team at the Indian Health Service. As an Optometrist, you will provide clinical services in the provision of eye care services to a broad range of patients.

• Provides direct and primary, preventive and therapeutic medical and optometric care.
• Diagnoses optometric and ocular problems of the eye and surrounding tissues.
• Provides vision and eye care education and counseling to patients.
• Responsible for recording all patient care examinations, assessments, procedures, and care plans.
• Develops and provides community-wide 'health fair' screening programs.
• Preceptor for formal optometry intern program and/or residency program with colleges of optometry.

• Selectee may be subject to a probationary/trial 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, requiring contact or control over Indian children.
• Confidential Financial Disclosure Form required.
• Measles and Rubella immunization required for selectees born after 1957 and seasonal influenza immunization is required for all staff working in Indian Health Service health care facilities.
• COVID-19 vaccination is required for all selectees prior to entrance on duty.

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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

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:

GS-11: Applicants who meet the above basic requirements qualify for GS-11 grade level.

GS-12: In addition to the requirements for the GS-11 (or equivalent) level, applicants must meet one of the following requirements: One year completion of a residency program in an institution accredited for such training -OR- One year of professional experience as an optometrist that is equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level.

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: interviewing patients; analysis of visual functions; use of objective and subjective methods for detection of apparent ocular and systemic diseases of the eye; using advanced instrumentation procedures and techniques in the detection and correction of unusual visual deficiencies; and performing re-fractions.

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.

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:

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

This is an open until filled position.

The first certificate of eligibles will be pulled on 04/10/2024.

Subsequent certificates will be pulled every two (2) weeks until the position has been filled.

The announcement is subject to be closed once a selection has been made.

Per IHS policy (SGM IHS selectees to positions located in Federally operated hospitals, health centers, and clinics must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before entry on duty or have IHS approve a medical or religious exemption.

If an exemption is approved then wearing a face mask and regular testing for COVID-19 will be required.

Your Human Resources Specialist will provide a list of documents acceptable as vaccination proof and instructions on how to submit your vaccination documentation or how to request a medical or religious exemption, if needed.

Additional selection(s) of candidates may be possible within 240 days from the date the certificate of eligibles was issued for this announcement.

Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee.

IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service.

This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.

This position is covered by a Bargaining Unit.

Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized.

At least a 1-year service agreement will be required.

This position meets the criteria specified in pillar number one of the five pillars of the PHS Commissioned Corps.

PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps MUST apply online under the merit promotion announcement indicated above in order to receive consideration.

For more information on PHS Commissioned Corps, visit the website at:

The Indian Health Service (IHS) have student loan repayment programs for qualifying health disciplines.

This is a competitive process separate from the hiring process.

Opportunities for LRP are based on agency hiring priorities and availability of funds.

For additional information please visit:

This position has promotion potential to the GS-12 grade level.

Promotion to the next grade level is at management's discretion and is based on your demonstrated ability to perform the higher-level duties, the continuing need for the higher-level duties, and 'Regulatory/Administrative' approval.

Promotion to the next higher grade level is not guaranteed and no promise of promotion is implied.