Optometrist (Clinical)

What you would do

• Perform eye exams, including dilated checks of the back of the eye
• Write accurate eyeglass prescriptions using manifest refraction
• Perform cycloplegic refractions to assess vision without focusing effects
• Evaluate patients for refractive surgery candidacy
• Remove objects from the eye and manage front-of-eye injuries
• Co-manage complex cases with ophthalmologists and refer patients as needed

Do you qualify for GS-12?

With experience: You need one year of professional experience as an optometrist. This includes examining and treating patients with vision problems or eye diseases, and keeping patient records. The agency says this matches the work done at the GS-11 level. A one-year residency in an accredited program can also qualify, but this job does not allow education to replace experience.

With education: You need a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree from a program accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) when you got the degree. Education cannot replace experience at this grade. Foreign degrees must be evaluated by a private evaluation service or get full credit at a U.S. accredited school.

Licenses and certifications you need:

• Current, full, unrestricted license to practice optometry in a U.S. state, D.C., Puerto Rico, or a territory
• Passing score on the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) exams
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross

How to apply well

What to send:

• Resume of two pages or less that shows the employer, job title, start and end months and years, hours worked per week, and duties
• Copy of your license or certification (required, or you may be rated ineligible)
• Copy of your transcript (required, or you may be rated ineligible)
• Most recent performance appraisal, if applicable
• Cover letter (optional)

How you will be rated: Your full application package, including your resume, supporting documents, and questionnaire answers, is reviewed to see if you meet the qualifications. Inflated qualifications can cause you to lose consideration, and errors or missing items can lower your rating or make your application incomplete. Veterans and military spouses are considered with all other candidates.

Tips for this job:

• Upload your license or certification and your transcript with your application, or you may be rated ineligible.
• Keep your resume to two pages or less and list hours worked per week for each relevant job.
• Only experience can meet the requirement here, so describe your optometry work clearly on your resume.

Good to know before you apply

Schedule: Full-time, with occasional travel of up to 5% business travel.

Incentives and relocation: A recruitment or relocation incentive may be authorized for highly qualified candidates. Student loan repayment may be authorized. Salary negotiation may be available for candidates new to federal service. Relocation expenses are not reimbursed, and Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moving costs are not authorized.

Conditions of employment:

• Background investigation for suitability or fitness
• Tier 1 Personnel Security Investigation
• Extra background checks and re-checks because the job works with children under 18
• Must obtain and keep BLS certification
• Pre-employment drug screening and random drug testing
• Urinalysis drug test before appointment
• Annual seasonal flu vaccination unless exempt for medical or religious reasons
• Immunization screening, including Hepatitis B
• Tuberculosis testing
• Pre-employment physical exam and yearly exam after that
• Must try to report to work during severe weather (Inclement Weather Essential)
• Lifting up to 30 pounds may be required
• Must complete credentialing and obtain clinical privileges
• Selective Service registration for men born after December 31, 1959
• One-year trial or probationary period may be required
• Direct deposit of pay required
• Selection may be limited by the Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees
• May need to wear a uniform, scrubs, or medical attire on duty

Job details

Salary

$89,508 – $116,362 per year

Pay scale and grade

GS-12 · General Schedule

Location

Fort Campbell, Tennessee

Appointment

Permanent

Work schedule

Full-time

Service

Competitive

Openings

1

Security clearance

Not Required

Travel

Occasional travel

Drug test

Not required

Supervisory

No

Occupation

Optometrist (0662)

Announcement

HSJA-27-13099251 -DHA